Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have done extremely well to keep the gap at the top of the table. However, they will have to work hard to maintain that gap when they travel to Old Trafford this weekend. The Blues ran out comfortable winners in the first leg of this tie earlier in the league while they also got the better of Mourinho’s side in the 1-0 victory in the FA Cup last month.
But Mourinho will hope that his side can come back strongly and pick all three points from this tie. The clash between Conte and Mourinho is a treat to watch but the players on the field are also set to entertain in a traditionally high-profile fixture in the Premier League. Here are three such encounters in the last decade that you need to look at, to warm yourself up for the weekend:
Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United (2012):
It is never going to be easy to beat a team like Manchester United with nine men but Chelsea had to do so in 2012 when they lost Fernando Torres for diving and Branislav Ivanovic for a silly tackle. Juan Mata and Ramirez gave Chelsea an early lead but David Luiz came up with an own goal to push Manchester United back into the game.
Robin van Persie, who was in his first season at the Old Trafford popped up with an equaliser just before the Blues were reduced to nine. Javier Hernandez scored the winner late in the game, but replays showed that he was offside. United went on to win the league that season, further frustrating the then Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo.
Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United (2012):
One of the matches that a Chelsea fan will never forget is this comeback from Manchester United. Chelsea took the lead early in the game thanks to an own goal from Jonny Evans. Juan Mata and David Luiz scored just minutes apart as a crazy eight minutes at the Stamford Bridge put Chelsea 3-0 ahead.
However, Manchester United made a stupendous comeback as Wayne Rooney converted a couple of penalties while Javier Hernandez came up with a late equaliser to steal a point.
Andre Villas-Boas, the then Chelsea boss, was frustrated with the refereeing on the night but United managed to reduce that gap on Manchester City, who were at the top of the table.
Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (2010):
In yet another game that was decided by a controversial goal, Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea side managed to win late in the game to steal all three points from their trip to the Old Trafford in 2010. Defender Cole came up with a sumptuous flick to find the back of the net early in the game and gave Chelsea the lead.
Manchester United’s Federico Macheda gave a little hope to the Red Devils who, on a largely quiet night, had a chance to steal a point. However, saviour, Didier Drogba smashed in a superb goal, to give Chelsea all three points. Drogba was actually offside for the winner and Sir Alex Ferguson could not take the loss.
This game will be remembered for the refereeing decisions that cost United more than just three points that season.
