Chelsea was motivated from the start after the 3:2 loss three days ago. The Chelsea players Mata and John Obi Mikel were in the centre of attention since the racial abuse controversy on the weekend – however, both were in the starting line-up for Chelsea. Also, the 17 year old Piazon started from the beginning in his second official game for Chelsea. United, on the other side, started with Hernandez and Giggs.
United started well in front of 42,000 supporters and shocked Chelsea in the 22nd minute when an 18 yards Giggs landed in the back of the net. The game picked up after United’s lead and it only took Chelsea 8 minutes equalize. Buttner with a harsh sliding tackle in the penalty area on Moses – penalty for Chelsea! David Luiz easily converted the penalty in the right corner – 1:1. What a start of the game. Hernandez, however, extended United’s lead just before half-time (42nd minute), when superb touch and left Cech no chance from the edge of the box. What a goal – 1:2 United.
The second half-started just like the first one. Cahill with the 2:2 equalizer in the 51st minute after a Chelsea corner. That wasn’t everything. Nani showed off his skills in the 58th minute – played a one-two with Hernandez and chipped the ball over the out-rushing Cech. What a great goal and what skills – 2:3 United. Chelsea tried everything and started running at United’s goal, but nothing happened until the injury time when Wooton barged Ramires in United’s penalty area – penalty for Chelsea. Hazard easily concerts the penalty in the middle of the goal – 3:3 and extra time!
Chelsea started the extra-time much better than United and scored the lead in the 7th minute of extra-time. Wootton with a bad back-header, Sturridge intercepted and converted easily against the United goalie – 4:3 Chelsea and the first lead of the game. United tried everything to equalize, but it was Chelsea that secured the win. Hazard counter-attacked after a Giggs corner, passed to Ramires who finished the pass in beautiful fashion -5:3 Chelsea in the 25th minute of extra-time. Giggs scored the 5:4 through a penalty in the last minute, but Chelsea with a great re-match at Stamford Bridge.
Di Matteo said after the game: “We deservedly won the game…We had so many chances and we had to come back so many times as well and we showed great character to do so.”
