However, this result makes United behind two points from Manchester City who still top the standings. In second place, Manchester United now has 55 points. Meanwhile, Chelsea are still in fourth position with 43 points.

Both teams played with a slow tempo in the first half. Fierce battle in midfield. This makes both teams failed to create threats to the opponent’s goal.

At the 11th minute, United deserved to claim a penalty after Gary Cahill dropped Danny Welbeck in the box. However, referee Howard Webb did not see it as a foul.

After a long struggle, finally Chelsea went ahead thanks to Jonny Evans’ own goal in the 36th minute. This goal came from Daniel Sturridge’s movement that ended with a cross into the penalty area. The ball hit the foot of United goalkeeper David De Gea, before it hits Evans’ body and went into United’s goal.

Two minutes later, Sturridge almost gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead if only his shot was not successfully covered by De Gea.

At the 41st minute, it was Danny Welbeck’s turn  to make Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, work hard to secure his goal.

United continued to try to equalize. However, until the end of the first half, the 1-0 Chelsea lead did not change.

The second half had just started for one minute, Chelsea were able to score their second goal. A cross from Fernando Torres was strucked with a left foot volley by Juan Mata. He drove the ball hard into the goal without being able to be stopped by De Gea.

Entering the minute-51, “The Blues” once again widen the distance thanks to a goal from David Luiz’s header. Utilizing Frank Lampard’s free kick, the ball changed direction as it hit Rio Ferdinand and went in the net.

United got an advantage in the 57th minute. Sturridge fouled Patrice Evra in the penalty area. Wayne Rooney easily scored his first of the night from the spot.

At the 66th minute, Mata had a chance to score his second goal. Unfortunately, this time his attempt was handled well by De Gea. One minute later, it was Cech’s turn to block Rooney’s shot.

Manchester United tried to keep pressing to fight back. They were once again awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after Ivanovic fouled Welbeck in the box. Rooney again beats Cech for the second time, to change the score to 3-2.

Chelsea, responded by immediately pressing the visitors’ defense. Florent Malouda, Michael Essien, Fernando Torres alternately threaten United’s goal. However, none of the chances was converted into goals

Chelsea’s victory was shattered in the 84th minute. Substitute, Javier Hernandez, scored the equalizer through a header cutting Ryan Giggs’s cross.

Chelsea tried to respond. However, Juan Mata’s free kick was pushed over by De Gea. Until the end of the game, both teams failed to score more goals, and the score remained 3-3.

The lineup
Chelsea: Petr Cech, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Jose Bosingwa, Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles, Michael Essien, Juan Mata, Daniel Sturridge (Oriol Romeu 70), Fernando Torres, Florent Malouda.

Man United: David De Gea, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans, Patrice Evra, Rafael (Paul Scholes 63), Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young (Javier Hernandez 53), Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck (Park Ji-Sung 84) , Wayne Rooney.

Andre Villas-Boas

Since signing from Liverpool in January last year, the Spain international has scored five times in 44 appearances and has failed to find the net since October.

But whilst admitting Torres needs to improve on his movement in order to fit into Chelsea’s style, Villas-Boas claims a goal against Manchester United could be the start of a scoring run for the 27-year-old.

“Fernando has been having a tremendous team impact, we are not just looking for Fernando the goalscorer, but Fernando the team player,” Villas-Boas told reporters.

“We’ve been working on his movement for some time in order to adapt to how we are playing. A goal against United would of course trigger it all but even then there has to be continuity afterwards.”

Villas-Boas maintains his side will secure a place in the Champions League at the end of the season and insists his squad have more to play for this season than Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday holding a 12-point lead over their opponents.

“We should have a lot more points, it’s true, and I’ve told the players it’s unrealistic to think about the title after the irregularity of our results, the Premier League is out of the question but we are still technically in three competitions,” he said.

“The two leaders are out of the FA Cup and out of the Champions League. United are playing for one major competition, we are playing for more. The Champions League is not just a wild card, it’s a real objective, but of course we have first to get past Napoli.

“I don’t think we’ll finish lower than fourth, nor do have I any doubt I will be here next season. We have a strong belief in the current project.”

On the same day John Terry was removed as England captain while he awaits trial in July on charges of racially abusing an opponent, the center back was ruled out on Friday of United’s visit and probably next weekend’s match at Everton too with a knee injury.

With England teammate Ashley Cole also suspended following his red card against Swansea on Tuesday, fourth-place Chelsea is already facing an uphill battle to secure a victory that would trim the gap to United to nine points.

“John Terry is the captain, a leader on the pitch and off it and he is a great player so we will miss him of course,” Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said.

“We are missing Ashley as well and those two players are in the top four of most-used players. But we cannot be crying out when we miss players … we have a very big squad which enables to us to approach the game with belief.”

Rooney is one of four high-profile players set for comebacks from injury this weekend for United, which has won its last three matches to move level with Manchester City at the top of the standings.

United manager Alex Ferguson may also recall central midfielder Tom Cleverley and wingers Nani and Ashley Young.

Rooney and Nani have been training for two days after recovering from injuries sustained in the Jan. 22 win at Arsenal. Young has been out since December and Cleverley has been out since October.

“We’ve done very well away from home this season and we need to be good from now on,” Ferguson said. “We’ve got some really important away games in the run-in—Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City. They’re going to be crucial games.”

Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard is out of action for as long as six weeks because of an ankle injury, leaving David De Gea likely to start and Ben Amos set to fill in on the bench.

United—unlike regular top-four rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool—has no worries over whether it will qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The defending champions have won five of their last six meetings with Chelsea but the Blues won the other match in that sequence 2-1 in last season’s corresponding fixture.

Third-place Tottenham is seven points ahead of Chelsea, which is hanging onto the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot ahead of challenges from Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Fifth-place Newcastle hosts Aston Villa in Sunday’s other match.

Manchester City hosts Fulham in one of seven games Saturday, with Tottenham at Liverpool on Monday.

City will again be without striker Mario Balotelli because of suspension and Ivory Coast duo Kolo Toure and Yaya Toure because of their participation at the African Cup of Nations.

David Pizarro, signed on loan from Roma this week, is in contention to make his debut and defensive duo Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards should play despite minor fitness problems.

“We had this problem with some players away,” City manager Roberto Mancini said. “We had this chance with David on loan from Roma and it was good for us because I know the player. I think that could be useful for us in the next four months.”

Louis Saha could be in for a hot reception at Anfield, having just left Everton in time to make his Tottenham debut against his old club’s biggest rival.

With Jermain Defoe, Rafael van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor all in doubt for the match because of injury, the 33-year-old Saha is hoping he gets the chance to add to the single Premier League goal he scored for Everton this season.

“I see many opportunities with the midfielders, the wingers, and the way the team plays here, so I just can’t wait to get started,” Saha said. “It’s a very attacking side and they always look for movement of the striker.” (AP)

Bolton Wanderers

Bolton is believed to have agreed to release the English player to Chelsea but because he has not reached an agreement on personal terms, he still played in the games against Wolves and Everton.

Even so, Coyle denied that he is not going to play Cahill because of Chelsea’s demand, because if he is played in the FA Cup while still a Bolton player, he can not can not play in the same event with another club.

“Cahill is one the player who will not be played in the match against Macclesfield, but this has nothing to do with his speculation to Chelsea. He is our main player and needs a rest,” explained Coyle, according to the Manchester Evening News.

“Cahill is already closer to Chelsea but we still have the right to play Cahill and there are no requests from Chelsea to not play him in the FA Cup, this is only due to technical factors.”

“I myself no longer follow the development of the transfer between Cahill , his agent and Chelsea, but it could be that he will move this weekend. But I can confirm there are not talks with other clubs including Manchester United because we’ve reached an agreement with them (Chelsea). “

Chelsea

The 29-year-old goalkeeper believes that he still has a chance to move to another club.

“It’s hard to leave the best league in the world and if you look around, you will not see many team with a class like Chelsea who are looking for a new goalkeeper to their squad,” said Cech, according to the London Evening Standard.

“If I wanted to try something new, then tthe club at least must be in the same level with Chelsea.”

“You will never know, everything happens so quickly in football. You can sign a contract for 10 years with a club and leave after three years.”

“I am 29 years old and I’m sure there’s still time to move clubs.”

De Bruyne who was asked about Lukaku who very rarely gets a chance to play at Stamford Bridge, suggested the 18-year-old player to play at another club on loan like Thibaut Courtois.

“I am surprised by what happened to him. But Lukaku, despite not playing, will grow rapidly at Chelsea. This January, they lost a lot of strikers and he will get a chance,” said De Bryne.

“If I go there, maybe I’ll start by playing at another club on loan, such as Thibaut Courtois at Atletico Madrid. He took the right step.”

Chelsea

Bolton and England defender Cahill is driving a hard bargain , and the financial side has to be run past the Blues chief.

Abramovich has been away on an expensive break, but he is likely to say ‘yes’ to the 26-year-old’s personal terms, which will see the England star pick up a deal until 2017, worth around £25m.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle will play Cahill at Goodison Park against Everton tonight if personal terms are still not agreed with Chelsea.

Chelsea

Terry stated that Villas-Boas was disappointed with the two players who does not consider Chelsea as their priority.

“He came to Chelsea and changes many things at the club, not just on the pitch but also in the training session,” said Terry, according to the London Evening Standard.

“One thing when he spoke to the players about Nico and Alex is that they have talked with other clubs and Villas-Boas insisted he does not want any players in team who communicates with other clubs because it means they do not prioritize Chelsea.”

Chelsea

The player himself also says that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge because rarely gets first team football. Because of this, many clubs are already lining up to sign the former PSV Eindhoven player’s.

Juventus and Santos are two big clubs who are interested in loaning Alex. However,the Blues seemed to be willing only to sell Alex, to prevent from being free next season.

Therefore, Chelsea  is waiting for an offer from Quenns Park Rangers, who are reportedly interested in Alex. The Blues only wants 2 million pounds from the sale.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Chelsea highlights here: