Chelsea v Manchester United: Six of the best

The two top sides in the Premier League in recent years, United and Chelsea have unearthed a rivalry that has been fought on all fronts. While geographical location may not play a part in their feelings towards each other, the chance to establish themselves at the top is the main motivation for success. Here, we take a look at six of the best clashes from over the years.

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Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United, September, 1964

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George Best is watched by Ron 'Chopper' Harris.

Having gone ten games without defeat at the start of the season, Chelsea were being tipped as title winners already. However, this game would be remembered for the impact of an 18-year-old wing wizard named George Best.

Chelsea's right back Ken Shellito was impressing and was ready for a call-up to Sir Alf Ramsey's England side, but Best humiliated him and also made a fool of hardman Ron 'Chopper' Harris when he attempted to hack the Irishman down, dancing around his attempted 'tackle'.

Best made one and scored one and United went on to win the league ahead of the Blues and later in his career he would taunt Harris by feinting to sit on the ball, before avoiding the trademark crunching tackle with ease.

Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea, May, 1994

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Eric Cantona nets the first penalty.

Surely one of the most one-sided FA Cup finals in history, United's slick passing and attacking intent brushed Chelsea aside with ease with a second half display that gave them their first ever Double.

Player-manager Glenn Hoddle left himself on the bench for the Blues and, although it took sixty minutes for United to strike the killer blow, it came from a penalty. Frank Sinclair upended Dennis Irwin and Eric Cantona stroked the ball home from the spot. Then the Frenchman hit a carbon copy of the penalty home six minutes later when Andrei Kanchelskis was felled by Eddie Newton.

Newton's mistake allowed Mark Hughes to net the third, before Brian McClair's simple tap-in took advantage of Chelsea's attempts to get back into the game. United equalled their own Wembley FA Cup final record score of 4-0 against Brighton in the 1983 replay and Steve Bruce lifted the trophy.

Chelsea 3-5 Manchester United, January, 1998

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David Beckham celebrates a great performance in 1998.

A high scoring affair that knocked the FA Cup holders out of the competition in the third round, Chelsea were destroyed by a David Beckham-inspired performance, although almost mounted a late fightback.

Three up at half-time thanks to a Beckham double, and one for Andy Cole, United piled on two more from Cole and Teddy Sheringham to take a five-goal advantage. But, although it took them 75 minutes to get into the game, Chelsea then hit back from Graeme Le Saux and two Gianluca Vialli strikes, giving United a late scare.

United were sent packing by Barnsley in the quarter-finals and Arsenal became public enemy No.1 by claiming the FA Cup and league double at the end of the season.

Chelsea 5-0 Manchester United, October, 1999

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Gus Poyet scored inside 30 seconds.

An incredible game at Stamford Bridge as Gianluca Vialli's men produced the performance of the season to demolish the treble holders at home, bringing to an end a run of 29 games for United without defeat.

Gus Poyet bagged a brace (including the first after just 27 seconds), and a Henning Berg own goal, coupled with goals by Jody Morris and Chris Sutton, saw the Blues take advantage of the fact that Nicky Butt had been sent off for a clash with Dennis Wise.

United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi will be remembered for making his second howler in successive games - the first coming against Southampton - when he clashed with Dennis Irwin when trying to save the first.

Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea, May, 2007

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Didier Drogba bags the extra-time winner.

A drab FA Cup final makes the list because of the importance of the game. While it won't live long in the memory for the quality of the football, the final marked a return to the top for Chelsea, who had been beaten to the Premier League title by United, and was also the first FA Cup final to be held at the newly rebuilt Wembley stadium.

Didier Drogba scored in extra-time after a neat one-two with Frank Lampard and gave Chelsea their first FA Cup win since 2000 at the old Wembley. It prevented a third successive final going to penalties and provided a memorable moment for the long-awaited return home to London for the competition.

Chelsea had also picked up the League Cup, although Jose Mourinho would not be around much longer to spearhead their next attempt on the competition.

Manchester United 1-1 (6-5 on pens) Chelsea, May, 2008

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John Terry will never forget this moment.

A piece of turf away from winning the coveted Champions League trophy, Chelsea fans will forever remember this game for John Terry's slip as he stepped up to take the final penalty in Moscow.

In normal time, Cristiano Ronaldo had headed United ahead, before a Frank Lampard goal before half-time levelled things. Chelsea hit the woodwork twice and Didier Drogba was sent off for a slap on Nemanja Vidic in extra-time; but the game went to penalties in the pouring rain.

Despite netting 42 goals in the season, Ronaldo missed his penalty, then Terry slipped as he was striking the ball, sending it against the outside of the post. Nicolas Anelka's tame effort was enough to send the trophy to United to complete a Europe and League double and Terry into a spiral of depression.