Red Devils give Chelsea the blues

In stark contrast to recent weeks United started the game well and took the lead after just four minutes when Robin van Persie's effort came back off the post and found the back of the net after hitting David Luiz.

The star striker then converted Antonio Valencia's cross on 12 minutes with Chelsea appearing to be missing the influence of its captain John Terry.

Chelsea then came back into the game and was the better side for the remainder of the half, reducing the deficit just before half-time through a Juan Mata free-kick.

Ramires then levelled for the home side eight minutes into the second half before a period of end-to-end football ensued.

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Clattenburg after 63 minutes for tripping Ashley Young.

Fernando Torres followed Ivanovic down the tunnel just six minutes later as he was booked for a second time as Clattenburg deemed he had dived after a challenge from Jonny Evans.

Chelsea reshuffled its pack but struggled to cope with United's two-man advantage and succumbed to a winning strike from substitute Javier Hernandez with 15 minutes remaining, although the striker appeared to have tapped home from an offside position.