United fourteen points off the top after defeat at Chelsea

Manchester United suffered their fourth defeat in five games after losing 3-1 to a Samuel Eto’o inspired Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday afternoon.

The Cameroon international gave the hosts the lead on seventeen minutes with a deflected shot from outside of the area before doubling his side’s advantage on the stroke of half time with a neat finish.

Eto’o then poked in from close range after Gary Cahill’s header was saved by David De Gea, to complete his treble on forty-nine minutes and give Jose Mourinho’s man an unassailable lead.

Javier Hernandez pulled on back for United twelve minutes from time, before their captain Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red card in added on time for a foul on Eden Hazard.

Rafael could have also been dismissed for the visitors late on, but escaped with just a booking after a poor challenge on Cahill.

United remain in seventh place, six points off the top four and fourteen behind leaders Arsenal.

They will now turn their attention to Wednesday evening’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Sunderland at Old Trafford before returning to league action with a home match against Cardiff City on Tuesday week.