At the weekend Manchester United faced one of their Top 4 rivals in Chelsea in the FA Cup at Old Trafford. The last time these teams met it was United who triumphed 3-2 after a thrilling match at Stamford Bridge.

The next match between the two will now take place at Stamford Bridge after two second-half strikes from the visitors denied United who had roared into a two goal lead before the break, thanks to Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney.

United started the game crisply impressing with their energy and link-up play.  Michael Carrick’s impressive form continued and his brilliant lofted pass to Hernandez was matched with an equally impressive header from the Mexican that sailed over Petr Cech and into the net.

Six minutes later Victor Moses committed a foul which led to a free kick. Rooney stepped up to put the set-piece into the danger-zone and surprisingly the ball took a nick of David Luiz before finding it’s way into the back of the net.

United looked in full control but Cech kept Chelsea’s hopes alive with a couple of saves before the break as United’s defence were coping well with the visiting attack.

After the break the game was turned on its head completely as Chelsea grabbed full control. Eden Hazard was brought on and shortly after got his side back into the game with a stunning curling effort from just outside the box that gave David De Gea no chance.

United were shocked and there would be no respite as Chelsea equalised on 67 minutes thanks to a stunning move on the break which ended with Ramires finding De Gea’s right-hand corner of the net for his third goal of the season against United.

In the end United were lucky to earn a replay. Only a fine save from De Gea and some last ditch-defending kept the hosts in it. The replay will probably take place at the end of March once the FA can find some space in the congested fixture-list.

By Harold Hershman @hhdj89