LIVE: Chelsea 3 Manchester United 1 - follow the Premier League action as it happened

Well that's it from me this evening. Click on the homepage for all the post-match reaction (and there will be PLENTY of it) but make sure you check back tomorrow for more live coverage as Everton try and move up to fourth with a win at West Brom.

That's all from me - thanks for following.

...but United's reign as champions will surely end in May, and will their place in the Champions League follow with it?

They are 14 points off the title race pace, and are now six points off the top four. Maybe just securing Champions League football will be the new target for United - that and beating Sunderland to reach the League Cup final. How priorities switch in a matter of months.

And so it's as you were at the top of the table - which remains the same as it was coming into the weekend with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea separated by just two points.

For the Blues, a tough looking test has been overcome in style as they have flexed their title credentials...

90+5min: Well, how has Rafael not been sent off here!? With a wild two-footed studs up lunge on Cahill, the full-back somehow only picks up a booking - that was MUCH worse than the Vidic tackle.

90+2min: And I thought it couldn't get worse for United. Vidic has been given a straight red card for chopping down Hazard with a reckless sliding challenge which was nowhere near the ball.

The defender looks shocked but he has little defence from me, it was a disgraceful challenge.

He will now miss the mid-week Capital One Cup semi-final with Sunderland. Moyes looks about as fed-up as one can on the United bench.

90min: There will be four additional minutes at the Bridge. Time up surely for United and their hopes of retaining the title.

89min: For the second time this half, Smalling gets into a good position on the right side to deliver a first time cross, but on this occasion after finding Hernandez, the Mexican heads straight at Cech.

86min: The feel-good factor is sweeping around the Bridge and there is polite cheers and applause for Matic who replaces Willian to begin his second spell at Chelsea.

83min: Like Swansea against Tottenham earlier, United have found some confidence since pulling a goal back as they try to grab another to make this a nervous final few minutes for Chelsea. Nemanja Matic is warming up for the Blues.

'Despite the United goal, Roman Abramovich must be close to enjoying this, even if he wears his usual vacant expression.

'Not least because his two oligarch signings from Anzhi have been quite superb. Its only two weeks since Chelsea fans at Derby jeered Eto’o from the pitch when he was substituted. Today he gets a standing ovation and loads of high-fives on the bench.'

79min: Immediately Chelsea make a change as Eto'o is applauded off by the home fans to be replaced by Fernando Torres.

78min: Can't say I was expecting this but some hope for United as Welbeck's cut-back for Jones inside the box is fired towards goal, with Javier Hernandez sliding to divert the ball home from close range.

76min: This game is going through the motions on the pitch as Chelsea continue to keep United at arm's length in position, but a few of you United fans already have already started your inquests... 

'Lots of fans questioning the defensive tactics of Moyes, or lack of them, rather. Way too many gaps this season in all domestic competitions. That's not a personnel or Glazer problem. It's a Moyes problem.'

David Mnjama, email

'Glazers out banner being hung from the Manchester United end, with £600m reasons why your time is up.'

70min: Nothing is going right for United but they are nearly handed a bizarre route back into the game - twice!

First Gary Cahill's clearance from a cross cannons off Ramires before looping over Petr Cech and just behind for a corner.

Then the Chelsea keeper gets into comedy capers of his own, as he performs an incredibly brave turn to dodge a Hernandez slide - albeit falling to ground as he does it.

Jose Mourinho had his head in his hands as he looked on from a squat position on the touchline.

68min: Mourinho dabs the brakes then, as Oscar makes way for Mikel.

67min: Jose Mourinho looks as calm as I've ever seen him in a big game like this as he prepares to make his first change.

The Chelsea boss shares a few words with John Obi Mikel who is about to come on for the Blues' first switch.

64min: Those substitutes have made little impact for United, as Chelsea sense an opportunity to rub the champions' noses in it.

Still the Blues remain in control and they are having all the ball, all the shots and crucially all the goals.

56min: As Antonio Valencia is booked for a trip on Cesar Azpilicueta, United make a second switch as Javier Hernandez replaces Young.

There are boos for the Mexican from the home fans - who has scored in six of his last nine appearances in all competitions against Chelsea.

'United were out early for the second half, like a team making up for lost time, eager to right a few wrongs but anything Moyes might have said became irrelevant after Eto’o’s third.

'Chelsea have conceded only once in the last six games before this. Since losing at Sunderland in the Capital One Cup, Mourinho has adopted a low-risk strategy and relied upon his creative front four to score the goals. It is working. They do not look like conceding.

'It is impossible to see how United can score enough to get back into the game but they will not give up, it is not in their nature and, as they release more players forward in search of a way back, it means more time and space for Chelsea’s dashing counter-attackers.'

51min: And it just gets worse for United, as Patrice Evra has to limp off to be replaced by Chris Smalling.

A penny for Moyes' thoughts. He would have targeted a fast start to get back into the game, now his side are on the verge of a real hiding.

49min: Hands up, who thought the best days of Samuel Eto'o were long gone? I certainly didn't see him making this sort of impact this afternoon.

But after Gary Cahill's header from a corner is well saved by Dea Gea, the Cameroon striker pounced on the rebound to secure his hat-trick. Joy for Chelsea, crisis for United.

Noticeably, United were out VERY early for the second-half. No changes in personnel but can the champions hit back against Chelsea?

It must be hard for Sir Alex Ferguson to watch his empire seemingly crumble just a few months after leaving his position as United manager, I wonder what he makes of United's first half showing which did show bright spots. As ever he is watching the action from inside the ground.

His deflection led to Samuel Eto'o scoring Chelsea's first goal, but while we wait for the second half why not check out Michael Carrick's positive ball skills as he takes part in a corner challenge? Watch the video below to see how the midfielder gets on.

What a sucker-punch for United at the break. In truth they haven't been as bad as the scoreline suggests but Chelsea have simply taken advantage of some awful defending to race into a 2-0 lead.

For instance, while Eto'o tucked home his second goal, there were SEVEN United players inside the box marking absolutely no one. Work to do for the champions.

45min: It's a 300th career goal for Samuel Eto'o but more importantly he doubles Chelsea's lead on the cusp of half-time.

United fail to deal with a corner and after the ball finds its way back out to Gary Cahill on the right, his low cross into the centre is tucked home by the Cameroon striker.

Click here to see more stats, heat zones and maps with Sportsmail's Match Zone.

42min: Hold that thought, Mark, because Chelsea nearly spectacularly double their lead!

A cross from the right finds Oscar, who with a scissors kick, volleys just wide of the target. Is it a little harsh to criticise him for not finding the target given the acrobatics?

'The little girl sitting next to me has fallen asleep. Says it all, really. Snooze-fest'

38min: United have gone quiet since their fast paced start, but have their best chance of the match so far. Januzaj crosses low for Welbeck inside the box, but the striker cannot get the ball out of his feet as he fires a weak effort straight at Petr Cech.

On a separate note, why is boy-hood United fan Beckham sitting in the box of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich?

35min: It's a first half which has been notable for a few robust challenges rather than flowing football, and now United see their first booking after Young cynically pulls down Ramires to stop a Chelsea counter attack.

'Mourinho anxious to get a message onto David Luiz.

It is clear from the hand signs, the manager wants Luiz to calm down, stop chasing around the pitch trying to prove what an accomplished footballer he can be and sit in front of the centre-halves and do his job. Luiz gives him a nod and a thumbs up.'

29min: Half-chance but no more for United as Patrice Evra crashes a near post shot into the outside of the side-netting from the edge of the box.

From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton at Stamford Bridge:

'On the subject of David Luiz, it didn't take long. Mourinho has just gone crazy at him for straying out of position and then refusing to make a run to track back when Evra bounded through before hitting the side netting.'

26min: I'm not certain Luiz is going to last 90 minutes the way he is going so far. Already booked, the Brazilian makes a blatant body check on Rafael who tried to take on the defender. No action is taken from Phil Dowd apart from awarding United a free-kick.

'Perhaps the biggest surprise of Mourinho’s team selection was his decision to start with Eto’o up front. Torres has looked so bright in recent weeks and scored on his last two starts.

'Torres, perhaps to his own detriment, has given the team an extra gear from the bench when he has come on. Either way, it looks like a good decision after that goal, even if it was almost entirely down to the deflection.'

20min: Moyes is furious with David Luiz who is booked for jumping into Valencia on the touchline and sending him crashing to the ground and into the advertising hoardings.

A challenge very much out of the Gary Wackett book of defending for those of you who have seen the film 'Mike Bassett:England Manager.'

On the ball though he is a little better...

From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton at Stamford Bridge:

'David Luiz so disciplined these days. When he releases the ball in advanced midfield areas he now shuttles straight back into his role in front of the back four. But how long can it last...'

17min: Chelsea have done precious little on the ball but against the run of play snatch the lead!

Samuel Eto'o easily turns Phil Jones on the corner of the box, before he advances along the 18-yard-box by a couple of yards and curls across goal and into the top corner via a Michael Carrick deflection.

15min: Finally something for the home fans to get (a little) excited about, as Willian's long range effort deflects behind for a corner. Expectation soon fades though as United clear the set-piece.

'David Moyes we want you to stay' sing Chelsea fans, in response to United singing 'Jose Mourinho, you wanted this job.' Entertaining stuff.'

From Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at Stamford Bridge:

'United fans taunt JM by singing: 'Jose Mourinho, he wanted your job.' Jose responds with a little wave. Chelsea fans sing: 'David Moyes, we want you to stay.'

9min: We've still seen very little from the hosts whose only contribution so far has seen David Luiz clumsily bundle over Phil Jones. referee Phil Dowd calms the situation as United still dominate.

'Mourinho up on his feet scribbling notes as United start well. Moyes straight into the ear of fourth official Lee Probert.

'United fans unfurl their banner: '600m reasons your time is up. Glazers out now.'

Plenty of famous faces have joined Pietersen for this clash - with former United midfielder David Beckham and Holland boss Louis van Gaal inside the Bridge.

6min: This is a very impressive start from United - Chelsea cannot get out of their own half as Antonio Valencia turns inside the Blues box, before the hosts scramble clear for a corner. 

3min: Wow, United come racing out the blocks as Petr Cech is immediately called into action to deny a shot from Ashley Young inside the box. It's a smart stop but the United winger should probably have scored there.

Get the most out of our live coverage by following the Stamford Bridge action on our brilliant Match Zone service.

It features the line-ups, formations, match stats and a feature packed player comparison tool.

In addition there are heat zones for EVERY player as well as detailed maps of the goals as they go in - check it out on the above link.

Out come the players at Stamford Bridge underneath some winter sunshine, as England cricket batsman Kevin Pietersen looks on.

The Blues will hope their star fan has left his bad luck, which saw England suffer a humiliating 5-0 defeat in the Ashes, back down under in Australia.

Legends galore at Chelsea before kick-off as Peter Bonetti and Ron 'Chopper' Harris present Frank Lampard and John Terry with plaques to welcome them to Chelsea's '600 club' to mark the milestone appearances in their Blues careers.

'Getting Phil Jones and Ashley Young back is important for us. We are here to try and win it. We've picked a team we think we can do it.

'We've worked on trying to stop Chelsea's midfield, games like this, it's more than three points if you get it - but of course it's all you can get.'

Just to clear up Moyes' confusing last sentence, he was referring to how a win would provide a huge psychological boost for the visitors - as you were...

Quite when these 'half-team' scarves became popular outside European games is beyond me, but they are everywhere now, including for today's clash at the Bridge.

Can't imagine too many die-hard Chelsea fans or United supporters picking one up though...

Branislav Ivanovic makes an earlier than expected return from a knee injury and Ashley Cole drops to the bench as Chelsea made two changes for the crunch Premier League clash at home to Manchester United.

Samuel Eto'o is preferred to Fernando Torres up front while a defensive reshuffle following the win at Hull sees Ivanovic start at right-back.

Cesar Azpilicueta shifts to left-back and Cole is named as a substitute alongside fit-again Frank Lampard and his fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic, the midweek signing from Benfica.

United began the day 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal in seventh place and manager David Moyes makes three changes following the win over Swansea, with Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Ashley Young replacing Chris Smalling, Darren Fletcher and Shinji Kagawa.

'Jose Mourinho has named £21million re-signing Nemanja Matic among his substitutes. The last Premier League appearance for Matic was as a Chelsea sub in an 8-0 win against Wigan.

'His only other appearance in the competition was in a 4-0 win against Wolves. His only appearance for Chelsea was a 5-0 win in the FA Cup against Watford.

'He has played a total of 65 minutes in three games for the club and won those games by an aggregate of 17-0. If all else fails, Mourinho has acquired a lucky mascot.'

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Luiz, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Eto'o.

Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Torres, Mata, Mikel, Matic.

Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Valencia, Januzaj, Young, Welbeck.

Subs: Lindegaard, Giggs, Smalling, Hernandez, Cleverley, Fletcher, Kagawa.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

Blimey, that’s an impressive Chelsea bench: Schwarzer, Cole, Mikel, Matic, Lampard, Mata, Torres.

A victory for Jose Mourinho will see him become only the 15th boss to record a century of Premier League wins.

However, perhaps United shouldn't be too worried.

The Red Devils are 18th on Jose’s list of favourite opponents.

David Moyes has never won an away Premier League match as a manager against any of the traditional top four. The Scot averages just 0.38 points per game.

De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Jones, Carrick, Valencia, Januzaj, Young, Welbeck.

Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Eto'o.

The teams will be announced shortly but Sportsmail's Neil Ashton believes Ashley Cole has been omitted from the starting line-up. The left back is set to be replaced by Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta.

Ivanovic should also return while Samuel Eto'o comes in for Fernando Torres.

Expected Chelsea team: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Eto'o.