Here's how it all started:
Oriel Romeu (centre) is dispossessed by Anderson, leading to the opening
goal
Easy
as that: Romeu (second right) can't get back as Ryan Giggs is left free to score
past a defenceless Petr Cech
Noses
in front: United celebrate after Giggs (centre, partly obscured) gave them the
lead at Stamford Bridge
Going
down: United left-back Alexander Buttner fouls Victor Moses to concede a
penalty
No
mistake: David Luiz stepped up to haul Chelsea level from the penalty spot with
a low, powerful shot
On
target: Blues defender Luiz celebrates after equalising from the penalty
spot
Yet the 23-year-old was
initially comfortably marshalled by United’s young central defensive pairing of
Scott Wootton and Michael Keane. It was Moses who looked far more accomplished,
outmuscling Alexander Buttner after half an hour to win his side a penalty,
which David Luiz converted.
Chelsea had gone behind in
bizarre circumstances in the 22nd minute. After a free-kick from Buttner went
wide, Petr Cech played a short pass to Oriol Romeu, who was dispossessed by
Anderson.
Giggs was the lucky recipient
and the Welshman scored by the time Luiz had ambled back on to the
pitch.
Chelsea's nemesis: Javier
Hernandez celebrates scoring at Stamford Bridge for the second time in four
days
Deadly: The Mexican striker
showed his predatory instincts with a fine finish late in the first
half
Rising high: Gary Cahill
(third left) leaps unmarked to head in Chelsea's second goal of the
night
Eye
for goal: Chelsea centre-back Cahill celebrates his goal in the second half at
the Bridge
The Brazil defender played
more of a role in United’s second goal, taking the ball up field before watching
it cannon back into Chelsea’s half. With the centre half stranded, Hernandez
exploited the huge gap to score his fourth goal in three games in the 43rd
minute. This one, however, was definitely not offside.
United’s young defence seemed
to be in control, but Chelsea were level seven minutes after the restart as Gary
Cahill powered home a header from a Mata corner.
After looking as if he would
rather be anywhere but Stamford Bridge, Nani suddenly burst into life to score
United’s third. A smart one-two with Anderson saw the winger burst into space
and finish with his right foot. Cech was left to collect the bottle that was
hurled on to the pitch.
Making his point: Nani (right)
celebrates with Anderson after scoring Manchester United's third
goal
Top
class: Nani chips the ball into the net over Petr Cech's despairing dive to put
United 3-2 in front
Back
from the dead: Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates scoring in the dying
seconds of normal time
Held
his nerve: Hazard (17) scores from the penalty spot deep into injury time to
force another 30 minutes
Di Matteo pushed for an
equaliser. Cesar Azpilicueta was closed down in a promising position at the far
post and then Chelsea appealed for a penalty when Mata’s shot hit Keane’s hand.
Fourth official Mike Dean got a mouthful from Di Matteo but Lee Mason was
unmoved.
The referee, however, was
apparently only prolonging the drama. In the fourth minute of stoppage time he
pointed to the spot after Wootton bundled over Ramires. Hazard converted with
the coolest of right-foot strikes down the middle and, finally, Chelsea were in
the ascendency.
Sturridge wasted another
glorious chance but, eventually, he converted an opportunity, taking the ball
round Anders Lindegaard in the 97th minute after a misjudged header back from
Wootton.
Dan's
the man: Daniel Sturridge (right) celebrates after handing Chelsea the lead in
extra-time
Can't
miss: Sturridge scores after going round Manchester United keeper Anders
Lindegaard
Keane was then perhaps
fortunate to receive only a yellow card for pulling back the Chelsea striker
before Ramires danced through United’s defence to put the match beyond doubt.
Even then, Giggs converted a penalty after Azpilicueta was judged to have fouled
Hernandez.
Chelsea’s prize is a trip to
Elland Road to face Leeds, and former owner Ken Bates, in the quarter-finals.
Leeds manager Neil Warnock said he was ‘disgusted’ by Chelsea accusing
Clattenburg of making ‘inappropriate comments’ this week. You get the impression
that might be an exciting Cup tie, too.
Nail
in the coffin: Ramires (centre right) rounds off a superb move to seal the deal
for Chelsea
And
that's the end of that: Giggs slots home from the penalty spot in the final
seconds of extra time
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