More disappointment for United as Eto'o bags hat-trick
Hat-trick
By Chris
January 19 2014
Manchester United were no match for Chelsea's clinical goalscoring on Sunday afternoon as the Red Devils slipped to a fourth defeat from five with a 3-1 reverse at Stamford Bridge.
The deadlock was broken on 17 minutes courtesy of Samuel Eto'o's long-range, curling shot. On a mazy run, he sold Phil Jones a dummy all too easily before firing a floating effort home, helped by a significant deflection off Michael Carrick's boot.
Chelsea's opener was harsh on United who had started the game with purpose and ambition, displaying creative promise that has been missing too often this season.
Whilst the strike took the wind out of United's sails somewhat, there were chances to pull level. From only yards out, Danny Welbeck failed to properly connect with an Adnan Januzaj pass, whilst a poor Patrice Evra cutback later denied the England frontman a goalscoring opportunity.
However, United were left to rue their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal as Chelsea doubled their lead moments before the interval. Welbeck cleared a Chelsea corner, but Ramires found Tim Cahill with an excellent through ball and the former Bolton man squared for the unmarked Eto'o who turned home.
Chelsea's clinical finishing continued after the break, with the lead extended to three in the 49th minute. Cahill met Willian's corner with a free header, which De Gea could only block into the path of Eto'o who drilled home from yards out to complete a memorable hat-trick.
United found a way back into the game on 78 minutes. Welbeck and Antonio Valencia linked up well on the right flank, before Javier Hernandez poked home Phil Jones' shot which, arguably, was already goal-bound.
There was, however, to be no late comeback - and there was a further blow for Moyes as his skipper, Nemanja Vidic, was dismissed for a high challenge on Eden Hazard in injury-time, leaving the Serbian facing a three-match suspension. Whilst the defender was clearly furious by the decision, United were arguably lucky not to go down to nine men following a very poor Rafael challenge moments later.
Having suffered a seventh league defeat from 22 this season, we now sit 14 points behind leaders Arsenal. Not even the most optimistic Red Devil would now anticipate David Moyes retaining the league championship for United in his first season at the helm.
Moyes' men now finish the month with two crucial, mid-week games. United will look to overturn a single-goal deficit in the League Cup against Sunderland on Wednesday, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes an emotional return to Old Trafford the next Tuesday with his Cardiff side in a 'must win' game for the Reds.
Full Time - Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Attendance - 41,165