Top Ten: Chelsea v Man Utd

Last updated: 28th April 2008

Michael Ballack Chelsea Premier League Manchester United

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Andy Clarke looks back at some memorable matches between Chelsea and Manchester United. What do you make of the list? Did we leave any classic games out? Give us your views!

1. 23rd September 2000, Premiership

United 3 Chelsea 3

Some matches simply stand out in the memory, and the game which introduced Claudio Ranieri to English audiences is a prime example. The Italian was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager the day after a miserable 2-0 home defeat to Leicester and his unenviable first task was a trip to Old Trafford. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's rocket got Ranieri off to a flying start, but goals from Paul Scholes, Teddy Sheringham and David Beckham had United in the clear before the 40th minute. Many teams would have buckled, but Tore Andre Flo gave Chelsea a lifeline right on half-time and then snatched a point with his second goal 20 minutes from time. Ranieri's grin was a picture.

2. 4th Jan 1998, FA Cup Third round

Chelsea 3 United 5

Throughout the '90s Chelsea were growing in stature and as FA Cup holders they took on champions United in the third round of the competition in January 1998. The Blues would have been confident having held United in the Charity Shield and also earned a 2-2 Premiership draw at Old Trafford, but what followed was the kind of epic spanking normally reserved for a News of the World expose. Two goals from David Beckham and a third from Andy Cole put the visitors three ahead at the break and after Cole added his second, Teddy Sheringham made it five. Job done, United headed for the players' lounge 15 minutes from time, allowing Graeme Le Saux and Gianluca Vialli (2) to salvage some respect for Chelsea, but it really wasn't as two-sided as the scoreline suggests.

3. 3rd Oct 1999, Premiership

Chelsea 5 United 0

Remarkably, United supporters had been boring us all to tears with talk of their historic treble for just four months before this unfeasibly enjoyable trouncing was administered at Stamford Bridge. Gus Poyet started the ball rolling in the very first minute before Chris Sutton scored what would prove to be his only league goal in a Chelsea shirt. That was after just 16 minutes and seven minutes later - joy of joys - Nicky Butt was sent off. A nation of neutral armchair viewers sat forward in their seats and clapped their hands together in the universally accepted gesture for 'oh yes, I'm going to enjoy this next hour'. They were not disappointed. Poyet again, a Henning Berg own goal and a late strike from future Rotherham and St Johnstone star Jody Morris ensured it would be one of those rare, chastening experiences for Sir Alex Ferguson's side that the rest of us so forlornly cling to.

4. 16th October 1954, Division One

Chelsea 5 United 6

Chelsea would go on to mark their 50th anniversary by winning their first league title, but they were struggling for form when United came to Stamford Bridge in October 1954 to win an astonishing 11-goal thriller. Three of those goals went to Chelsea's 18-year-old debutant Seamus O'Connell. United romped to the league title the following season by a massive 11-point margin, winning 4-2 at the Bridge along the way. Memories of both games are sketchy.

5. 10th May 2005, Premiership

United 1 Chelsea 3

Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford as champions for the first time under Jose Mourinho and gave a performance befitting their new-found status. United formed a guard of honour for their guests before kick-off and, despite taking an early lead through Ruud van Nistelrooy, continued to pay them too much respect throughout. Tiago quickly equalised and second half goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen and Joe Cole completed a memorable night for the Londoners.

6. 1st December 2001, Premiership

United 0 Chelsea 3

Few teams enjoy a record of success at Old Trafford to compare to Chelsea's and it's rare for United to be on the receiving end of such a comprehensive home defeat. United were the reigning champions, having won the league by 10 points, while Chelsea had finished the previous season in sixth place, behind Ipswich Town. Chelsea created chances throughout, needing only six minutes to convert their first when Mario Melchiot headed in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's corner. Played in by Eidur Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink then drilled in the second before Gudjohnsen was sent clear to knock in the third. United got their revenge, winning at the Bridge by the same score in April, but they finished third behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

7. 14th May 1994, FA Cup final

United 4 Chelsea 0

Thirteen years before stifling the life out of each other in an excruciating FA Cup final that one or the other won as the nation dozed through extra time, Chelsea got stage fright at Wembley and were taken apart in a devastating second half display from United. Eric Cantona scored two penalties and goals from Mark Hughes and Brian McClair completed the misery for Glenn Hoddle's men in one of the most one-sided finals not to have involved Newcastle United.

8. 6th Nov 2005, Premiership

United 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford as champions and having made a blistering start to the season. With 10 wins and a draw from their opening 11 games including a 4-1 rout of Liverpool at Anfield, Jose Mourinho's men were the team to beat. And beat them United did, thanks to a header from an acute angle from Darren Fletcher which took everyone by surprise, not least the viewing public who never knew he had it in him.

9. 10th March 1999, FA Cup 6th round replay

Chelsea 0 United 2

In March 1999 Chelsea remained unbeaten at home and were on their way to finishing third in a tight Premiership title race - their joint-best season since winning what was at that time their only league title in 1955. After a goalless draw at Old Trafford, the Blues had high hopes of a famous cup victory, but United came to London and turned them over with two goals from Dwight Yorke, the first after just four minutes. The result helped to shape the course of the season. Chelsea lost again at the Bridge three days later (1-0 to West Ham - their only Premiership home defeat), while United swept all before them by winning the league, FA Cup and Champions League.

10. 26th Jan 2005, League Cup semi-final 2nd leg

United 1 Chelsea 2

This was the day the League Cup became a serious proposition again. Once it became clear that Jose Mourinho wanted to win it, everybody wanted to win it (except Arsene Wenger, who nearly did despite himself). After a disappointing first leg at the Bridge, the second leg was a stormer. Frank Lampard grabbed a precious away goal for Chelsea but Ryan Giggs' equaliser mid-way through the second half set up a grandstand finish. Fergie threw on Rooney as United pushed for the win, but it wasn't enough as Damien Duff's inswinging free-kick deceived everyone and put Chelsea into the final against Liverpool. After a scintillating period of extra time, the Blues won 3-2 to earn Mourinho his first medal in English football.

Comments

Humza Khan (Chelsea fan) says...

what about the 05/06 season 3-0 at the bridge???

Posted 13:07 1st June 2008

Reece Moir (Chelsea fan) says...

Chelsea 3-0 stamford bridge 05/06

Posted 19:10 31st May 2008

Faizan Khan (Manchester United fan) says...

no champions league final, i mean it was one of the best games i have ever seen, and the champions of the English game became the European for a third time

Posted 19:13 29th May 2008

Mustafa Ahmad (Manchester United fan) says...

21 May 2008

Posted 14:08 29th May 2008

Oliver Hazell (Chelsea fan) says...

No Chelsea 2 United 1 in the league!

Posted 18:29 19th May 2008

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