Chelsea inflicted a knockout blow on Manchester United's hopes of making a successful defence of the Barclays Premier League and kept their title bid on track with a comprehensive victory at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho's side moved two points behind leaders Arsenal after Samuel Eto'o scored a hat-trick - his fourth, fifth and sixth Premier League goals of the season - in a 3-1 victory which exposed the numerous shortcomings which leave United 14 points adrift of the summit.
Perhaps more crucial for David Moyes and United, whose reply came from substitute Javier Hernandez, is the deficit to the Champions League qualification places.
Hero: Samuel Eto'o (centre) scored a hat-trick to help Chelsea defeat Manchester United at Stamford Bridge
Opener: Eto'o (left) gave Chelsea the lead after his shot was deflected by Michael Carrick (right)
Seventh-placed United sit six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and fifth-placed Tottenham with 16 games remaining after seeing their seven-match unbeaten away run end.
A miserable afternoon was compounded for Moyes and United when captain Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Eden Hazard in stoppage time.
Rafael was fortunate not to follow his skipper in being sent off for a two-footed lunge on Gary Cahill.
Both Chelsea and United are in transition, but it is clear who has more work to do after Mourinho's men claimed a sixth win in seven Premier League games.
Moyes was adamant his side are not a fading force following his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor; Mourinho, meanwhile, insisted he would never write off United.
If the Portuguese will not, even after extending his home unbeaten Premier League run to 71 games with his 100th win in the competition, most now will.
United's attacking endeavours relied on an 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj and that, coupled with the gaping defensive holes Chelsea exposed, increased the sense Moyes must recruit top-class reinforcements this month to chase a top-four spot.
Should United overturn a deficit in Wednesday's semi-final second leg with Sunderland there may be some solace in the Capital One Cup, but will that be enough to satisfy the likes of Wayne Rooney?
Mourinho has repeatedly insisted Chelsea, and not United, were always his first-choice destination last summer, and was mocked by visiting fans over the Old Trafford link.
Well done: Cesar Azpilicueta (left) runs towards Eto'o to celebrate Chelsea's opening goal
Battle: David Luiz (centre) put in an energetic performance for Chelsea against United
Brace: Eto'o's second goal of the game came at a crucial time for Chelsea
Helpless: David Moyes (centre) gestures during Chelsea's victory over United at Stamford Bridge
Time: Eto'o (left) was given too much space inside United's penalty area before scoring his second
Spectacle: David Beckham was one of a hosts of famous faces in attendance at Stamford Bridge
Blown away: Adnan Januzaj (left) and Danny Welbeck stand dejected after Chelsea's second goal
Hot streak: Chelsea players celebrates Eto'o's (right) second goal of the game against United
Lone man: Danny Welbeck (right) gets past Ramires during Chelsea's win against United
MATCH FACTS
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Luiz, Willian (Matic 85'), Oscar (Mikel 67'), Hazard, Eto'o (Torres 78').
Subs not used: Cole, Lampard, Mata, Schwarzer.
Booked: Luiz
Goals: Eto'o 17', 45', 49'
Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Vidic, Evra (Smalling 61'), Jones, Carrick, Valencia, Januzaj, Young (Hernandez 56'), Welbeck.
Subs not used: Giggs, Lindegaard, Cleverley, Fletcher, Kagawa.
Booked: Young, Valencia
Sent off: Vidic
Goal: Hernandez 78'
Referee: Phil Dowd
Att: 41,615
Jose Mourinho's side moved two points behind leaders Arsenal after Samuel Eto'o scored a hat-trick - his fourth, fifth and sixth Premier League goals of the season - in a 3-1 victory which exposed the numerous shortcomings which leave United 14 points adrift of the summit.
Perhaps more crucial for David Moyes and United, whose reply came from substitute Javier Hernandez, is the deficit to the Champions League qualification places.
Hero: Samuel Eto'o (centre) scored a hat-trick to help Chelsea defeat Manchester United at Stamford Bridge
Opener: Eto'o (left) gave Chelsea the lead after his shot was deflected by Michael Carrick (right)
Seventh-placed United sit six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and fifth-placed Tottenham with 16 games remaining after seeing their seven-match unbeaten away run end.
A miserable afternoon was compounded for Moyes and United when captain Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Eden Hazard in stoppage time.
Rafael was fortunate not to follow his skipper in being sent off for a two-footed lunge on Gary Cahill.
Both Chelsea and United are in transition, but it is clear who has more work to do after Mourinho's men claimed a sixth win in seven Premier League games.
Moyes was adamant his side are not a fading force following his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor; Mourinho, meanwhile, insisted he would never write off United.
If the Portuguese will not, even after extending his home unbeaten Premier League run to 71 games with his 100th win in the competition, most now will.
United's attacking endeavours relied on an 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj and that, coupled with the gaping defensive holes Chelsea exposed, increased the sense Moyes must recruit top-class reinforcements this month to chase a top-four spot.
Should United overturn a deficit in Wednesday's semi-final second leg with Sunderland there may be some solace in the Capital One Cup, but will that be enough to satisfy the likes of Wayne Rooney?
Mourinho has repeatedly insisted Chelsea, and not United, were always his first-choice destination last summer, and was mocked by visiting fans over the Old Trafford link.
Well done: Cesar Azpilicueta (left) runs towards Eto'o to celebrate Chelsea's opening goal
Battle: David Luiz (centre) put in an energetic performance for Chelsea against United
Brace: Eto'o's second goal of the game came at a crucial time for Chelsea
Helpless: David Moyes (centre) gestures during Chelsea's victory over United at Stamford Bridge
Time: Eto'o (left) was given too much space inside United's penalty area before scoring his second
Spectacle: David Beckham was one of a hosts of famous faces in attendance at Stamford Bridge
Blown away: Adnan Januzaj (left) and Danny Welbeck stand dejected after Chelsea's second goal
Hot streak: Chelsea players celebrates Eto'o's (right) second goal of the game against United
Lone man: Danny Welbeck (right) gets past Ramires during Chelsea's win against United
MATCH FACTS
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Luiz, Willian (Matic 85'), Oscar (Mikel 67'), Hazard, Eto'o (Torres 78').
Subs not used: Cole, Lampard, Mata, Schwarzer.
Booked: Luiz
Goals: Eto'o 17', 45', 49'
Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Vidic, Evra (Smalling 61'), Jones, Carrick, Valencia, Januzaj, Young (Hernandez 56'), Welbeck.
Subs not used: Giggs, Lindegaard, Cleverley, Fletcher, Kagawa.
Booked: Young, Valencia
Sent off: Vidic
Goal: Hernandez 78'
Referee: Phil Dowd
Att: 41,615
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