Manchester United travelled to Stamford Bridge for the second time in four days after their 3-2 victory in the Premier League on Sunday, this time in the Capital One Cup.
United went ahead on three occasions in the 90 minutes, but Chelsea pegged back each time, with Eden Hazard rolling in a last-gasp penalty. In extra time, the hosts dominated and ran out 5-4 winners.
Read how the nine-goal thriller unfolded below, with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the League Cup.
Here's hoping we have an equally entertaining game as Reading vs. Arsenal last night, however unlikely another 12 goals might be.
First, we must get straight to the team news.
Both teams have many changes from Sunday's game, but United have made more, with an almost entirely different XI.
Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, D Luiz, Bertrand; Romeu, Mikel; Moses, Mata, Piazon; Sturridge.
So Roberto Di Matteo changes just two of his back five, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Ryan Bertrand in for Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole, but ahead of them just Jon Obi Mikel and Juan Mata keep their place.
United: Lindegaard; Rafael, Keane, Wooton, Buttner; Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs; Hernandez, Welbeck
For Sir Alex Ferguson's men, only Rafael started on Sunday, which means no fewer than 10 changes. That said, the Scot can still name a midfield comprising Nani, Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Ryan Giggs. Not bad.
Here is the team news in full, courtesy of Mr Jack Prescott: click.
So both managers have opted to rest many big names, although looking at the sides I fancy Chelsea to have the edge. That said a fresh Nani, Giggs, Fletcher behind Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck could cause most sides problems. There's a whole host of talent still in both XIs.
Last time the two sides met in this competition, in 2005, Chelsea went on to win the thing. It was the semi-final, but still, you'd fancy the winner tonight to go most if not all the way this season.
In terms of games in all competitions, United have a huge edge. None of the last six has gone Chelsea's way, with tonight's visitors winning five.
However, Chelsea have reached at least the quarter-finals of this cup eight times in 11 years, so they have plenty of experience in it.
Di Matteo admits that he hopes the result on Sunday will motivate his players to do the job tonight.
Ferguson, on the other hand, is of the opinion that with all the changes in personnel the game on Sunday won't have made much of a difference.
There are two more games in the fourth round tonight. Current holders Liverpool host Swansea and Tottenham Hotspur travel to Norwich City. Lots of Premier League representation, showing that a lot of clubs do take this competition seriously.
United have appeared in eight League Cup finals, winning four of them. Chelsea have also won four, but have appeared in just six finals. Only current holders Liverpool and Aston Villa have won it more than four times.
A quick look at the odds suggest that the bookies can see this going either way, but are just making Chelsea the favourites. The best current price for the home team is 11/10, while a few places have United around the 3/1 mark.
Just over five minutes until kick-off, I suppose I should put my money where my mouth is. I'm fancying Chelsea to win 2-1; Juan Mata could be too much for the United defence tonight.
Hopefully there will be less of the controversy that marred the game on Sunday; interestingly, both players involved with the Mark Clattenburg alleged racism incident(s), Mata and Mikel, are starting.
However it's a new day, a new game, a new referee. Let's hope for an equally enthralling match. Good atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge.
Lee Mason is that new referee, and he's about to get us underway.
Here we go!
Sounds like most of the noise is coming from the United section. Although it's a big turnout for both teams.
Chelsea on the attack early on, but Piazon can't get a decent contact on Moses's cross.
Chelsea counter with Luiz as always bursting forward. He shoots with his left from fully 30 yards and it's high and wide.
United work some possession, before Fletcher gives it away to Sturridge... who can't find Mata.
Neither side able to control this so far, but Chelsea looking more assured.
Chance for Chelsea! Moses finds Sturridge with a delightful angled pass, but the striker stumbles over the ball when well placed.
United try to keep possession now, without venturing too close to the Chelsea box. Good pressing from the home side.
Rafael gets in a decent low cross, but it's well dealt with by Luiz.
Away from the game for a split second, and there is news that Steven Caulker and Tom Lees are the two players charged in Serbia. We'll have a report up on site soon.
Yellow card! Early booking for Oriol Romeu for a foul on Buttner.
Nani fancies it... he beats the wall with power but it's straight at Cech, who deals with it.
As Moses gives away a foul as he tries to burst through on the left, here is more on that U-21 story.
Chance for United! Anderson finds Welbeck; he's wide on the left but finds the target. It's comfortable for Cech, however.
Moses tries on the left this time. He's found with a nice flick by Sturridge, but he eventually slips too and the chance is gone.
Bit of a mix up in the United box, but Chelsea can't work a chance. It's eventually cleared.
Nani wins a free-kick on the edge of the box. Wasn't a lot in it in truth, but the Spaniard did stick out a foot.
GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 UNITED (Giggs)
Out of nothing, it's a gift. Cech passes to Romeu with three United players around him. He loses the ball and Giggs stroke it in. Really poor pass, but Romeu too could have done better.
Chelsea pressing now since the goal. They could have had a free-kick when Piazon was brought down, instead it's a yellow card for Mikel for a foul in the middle.
Moses brought down now by Buttner. Worse than the Romeu tackle that looked, for which he was booked. No card though.
Chelsea's crossing is poor today. This time Azpilicueta goes way too long. In truth Chelsea have edged it, but it was through a mistake that United are ahead.
Lovely from Fletcher and Giggs in the middle, but Welbeck miscontrols for a Chelsea throw.
This inexperienced United defence is currently holding firm. They're cutting out Chelsea attacks as soon as they get in the box.
And again there as Buttner is in well to tackle Moses.
PENALTY FOR CHELSEA!
Just as I say that, Moses does Buttner for pace and the youngster lunges to bring him down. Luiz steps up...
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 UNITED (Luiz, pen)
Lindegaard guessed right and got a hand to it, but there was too much power and Chelsea are deservedly level.
Bertrand this time tries a cross, but again it's far too long. Chelsea are controlling this now.
Chance for Chelsea! Sturridge is again found with a ball over the top, but his touch forces him wide and he blazes over.
It's Chelsea's defence now dealing with the threat of United. Nani is crowded out by three. Good defending.
Mata's not being given much time to control things tonight. He's been quiet so far.
Shocking pass from Romeu on the edge of the box gives United a chance to break.. but Luiz is across well to put it out for a throw.
Mata and Moses work a chance for Azpilicueta to cross but Keane heads away.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 United (Hernandez)
He's done it again. Luiz is careless driving forward. He loses out to Anderson who threads Hernandez through. What's the only outcome from there? United retake the lead.
Hernandez not so good picking out a pass. His attempt to Welbeck is cut out by Luiz when two on two.
Handball from Sturridge in what could be Chelsea's last chance of the half. Thirty seconds left.
Chelsea 1-2 Man Utd
Well, an interesting half ends 2-1 to the visitors. The difference is that United have been clinical, while Chelsea have been sloppy. Both away goals could have been avoided with some better decision making.
Moses has played well, but really Chelsea haven't created enough. Cech was the busier goalkeeper, with the hosts' best chance, and I believe only shot on target so far, being Luiz's penalty.
Goal at Anfield! News from Anfield is that Swansea have taken the lead, Chico Flores heading home from a corner.
For United, Anderson has been impressive. He set up Hernandez well for United's second and in general has been lively. Nani, however, has been poor.
Jack Prescott's half-time report of the action is here, to gear you up for round two. It's not over here.
We're back underway.
Chance for United! Nick Powell, on for Buttner at half-time, strikes from the edge of the box and Cech tips wide.
There's also a change for Chelsea. Mikel has come off for Ramires. The Nigerian was booked in the first half.
Chance for Chelsea! Nani tackles Welbeck and Chelsea break. Mata finds Sturridge delightfully but it's well defended by Rafael. From the corner Sturridge is left in yards of space! But he thinks he doesn't have time and flicks it wide.
Away from Stamford Bridge, it's half-time at Anfield (0-1 Swansea) and Norwich 0-0 Spurs is back underway.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 United! (Cahill)
Mata swings in a corner and Cahill fair thumps it towards goal. Rafael does well to try to head away but the linesman has given it. He's correct, it's a yard or two over the line. Game on.
Moses fires across a ferocious cross, but it's a bit high and no-one can get on the end of it. Danger for United now, Hazard is getting ready.
It's Piazon who makes way. He's been quiet without doing anything wrong.
Eight goals left to match the Reading game last night. It could happen...
It's a good start from Hazard. He turns, drives forward and finds Bertrand, but Lindegaard deals well with his cross.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-3 United! (Nani)
Unbelievable! It's against the run of play, but United create some space and Nani drives through. His finish is a peach as he dinks it over Cech for another United lead!
Chance for United! It could and should be 4-2. The ball falls to Hernandez from eight yards but he somehow puts it over! What a game this is.
Can Chelsea equalise for a third time? They were on top at the time of that last goal, so it will have hurt.
That said, Chelsea have only managed two attempts on target so far, to United's eight. Azpilicueta tries a Van Basten but skies it.
Yellow card! Wootton is booked for a poor tackle from behind. Fair booking.
Chance for Chelsea! Mata takes a heavy touch and finds Ramires, but his shot is deflected from a corner. Then Moses rises highest from a Hazard cross but misses the target. Should have done better.
I'm sure the scoring isn't over here. Chelsea attack through Bertrand, who finds Ramires but he shoots wide. Poor effort.
Goal at Carrow Road. Spurs have taken the lead through Gareth Bale, it's 1-0.
What a chance Chelsea! Mata's cross finds Azpilicueta almost on the far post. He really should have hit the target but puts it over. Awful attempt!
Mata finds Moses making an angled run into the box. He flicks it over Keane but his touch is too heavy and it's out. Now Oscar comes on, for Romeu. The cavalry are out for Di Matteo.
Huge shout for handball! Chelsea could have had a second penalty there, as Mata's cross flicks I think Keane. I've seen them given.
Oscar shoots from distance, but it was never likely to go in. I've just seen the handball shout, it really should have been given. Chelsea are unfortunate.
Chance for Chelsea! Mata finds Bertrand, who cuts back for Moses in a great position. He goes for power from 10 yards but Lindegaard saves comfortably.
Anderson drives from 25 yards but it bobbles wide. He started that break so he was entitled to try, I guess.
Again a poor pass from Hernandez. He was found well by Anderson, who just signalled to the bench he's out of puff! Not surprised looking at him tonight - he's been slimmer, for sure.
Anderson almost threads Welbeck through but Luiz is in well to tackle.
Bertrand again is found down the left, this time by Oscar, but his cutback goes to no-one. Time is starting to run out for the Blues.
Anderson does get his wish. He's played very well, but now makes way for Ryan Tunnicliffe.
Hazard is fouled in a dangerous area here by Wootton. It was sloppy, but he doesn't get his second yellow.
Close for Chelsea! It wasn't too far over from Mata, but Lindegaard was comfortable it wasn't dipping under the bar.
Chance for Chelsea! Hazard links up with Sturridge who shoots low, but straight at Lindegaard, who continues to stand firm.
That was Chelsea's fourth shot on target from 15 attempts. While United have tested Cech from eight of 11 shots. That's the difference.
Close for Chelsea! Oscar strikes from distance. It's hard and Lindegaard almost dived too far as it swerved back. However he manages to keep it out.
In other news, Norwich have equalised late on against Spurs. A Jan Vertonghen own goal!
Goal at Carrow Road! Now Simeon Jackson has put Norwich ahead! What a turnaround!
Heroic block by Tunnicliffe to stop a Mata effort from distance. United look like they'll hold out here.
Goal at Anfield! Surely that's the win for Swansea? Nathan Dyer makes it 2-0 to the visitors.
Luiz goes into the book as time runs out...
PENALTY TO CHELSEA!
GOAL! Chelsea 3-3 United! (Hazard)
Unbelievable stuff. Wootton is sloppy to foul Ramires as he turned to shoot, and Hazard slots the ball down the middle. The youngster has got worse as the game has worn on, and he's been punished.
Chelsea 3-3 Man Utd.
So with the last kick of the game Hazard brings us level and it's extra time. Incredible late drama.
Goal at Anfield! Meanwhile, Luis Suarez pulls the score back to 2-1 with 10 minutes to play.
We're back underway for the 30 minutes of extra-time. It could go all the way here.
Can United get themselves in front for a third time? Chelsea now have a far stronger side on the field, so I'd tip them... as Lindegaard comes a long way but is beaten by Sturridge. He recovers to make the same, though.
Rafael cuts inside from the left and curls an effort, but it's straight down Cech's throat. At the other end Sturridge has a chance from six yards out but the ball is nicked away from him. Hazard did brilliantly to set him up.
United's final sub is warming up, and it's Federico Macheda.
Moses has worked hard tonight, but he looks tired. He tries a one-two with Sturridge but his return pass is awful.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-3 United! (Sturridge)
It's another mistake from Wootton, and it could be costly. He gets confused about heading or controlling it, and gifts the ball to Sturridge, who rounds Lindegaard and slots home. Chelsea ahead for the first time.
It's kicking off here between Oscar and Anderson. Mason gets his book out and it's a yellow card for both players.
Both teams starting to look tired. There's sloppy passing on both sides.
Chance for Chelsea! Cahill nods an Oscar header wide of the post.
Goal at Anfield! The holders are going out. Jonathan de Guzman makes it 3-1 Swansea.
Yellow card! Keane is booked, but that could be a red. He hauls down Sturridge when he's through and he gets away with it.
Close for Chelsea! Luiz fair smashes the free-kick and rattles the bar! Could have been over. It's half-time in extra time.
Time for the final 15 minutes. Will we see an equaliser and penalties?
Close for Chelsea! Sturridge fires a shot from the edge of the box with his left foot and it's just over.
The pace is much slower now, as Wootton is almost caught out again, but his header back to Lindegaard is better this time.
Sturridge is improving as the minutes tick on, but that time his shot is wayward from 25 yards.
United win a corner off Azpilicueta... but Chelsea clear.
Chance for Chelsea! HUGE chance for Moses. Sturridge finds him and Lindegaard just stops it with his leg. Should have been 5-3 and game over there.
An unlikely shocking touch from Hazard as Chelsea were in a dangerous position. His foot didn't come down enough to control it and it went out for a throw. Just over five minutes for United now...
Yellow card! I've lost count of the bookings, but Ramires is the latest for a lunging tackle on Powell. It was lazy, but not malicious.
... Vital touch from Luiz from the delivery, to nod it out for a corner.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-3 United! (Ramires)
Ramires finished it but Hazard should get all the credit. He dummied Tunnicliffe's slide then threaded an impossible pass to Ramires, who took it round Lindegaard and finished. That's that now.
Yellow card! Given to Ryan Giggs. It was awful, late and from behind. Could have been worse really.
Penalty to United!
GOAL! Chelsea 5-4 United! (Giggs, pen)
Pointless from Azpilicueta to bundle over Hernandez, and Giggs makes no mistake.
Chelsea 5-4 Man Utd!
So Chelsea manage to see it out in an absolute BELTER at Stamford Bridge.
The match report is up, and you can find it here.
Nine goals and eight different scorers. You can't ask for any more. It had goals, cards, late drama, and 120 minutes of pulsating football.
That's all from me, thanks for joining Sports Mole for the drama. Goodnight.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
