Chelsea moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday thanks to a comfortable 3-1 win at home to champions Manchester United.
Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring for the hosts on 16 minutes and then doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time.
The veteran striker claimed his hat-trick early in the second half before substitute Javier Hernandez pulled a goal back for the visitors late on.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Stamford Bridge.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash as Chelsea welcome champions Manchester United to Stamford Bridge. Team news should be through shortly...
UPDATE: There's currently one other match being played today at the Liberty Stadium, and Tottenham Hotspur are cruising thanks to a 3-0 lead over Swansea City. We'll bring you that full-time result as soon as it comes through. Around 15 minutes to go in that one.
CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, David Luiz; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto'o
CHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Mikel, Matic, Lampard, Mata, Torres
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made two changes to his starting lineup following last weekend's 2-0 win at Hull City. Branislav Ivanovic and Samuel Eto'o are both recalled, while Ashley Cole and Fernando Torres drop to the bench. Nemanja Matic is also named among the substitutes after rejoining the club from Benfica in midweek.
MAN UTD: De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Jones, Young; Januzaj, Welbeck
MAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, Giggs, Smalling, Hernandez, Cleverley, Fletcher, Kagawa
Meanwhile, Man Utd manager David Moyes has opted to make three changes as Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Ashley Young are all given the nod by the Scot. Chris Smalling, Darren Fletcher and Shinji Kagawa are the trio who make way.
There's plenty at stake for both teams today as Chelsea can move to within two points of leaders Arsenal with a win, while Man Utd can edge closer to the top four if they come away from Stamford Bridge with the spoils.
It's also a significant day for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as he looks to record his 100th victory in the Premier League. The Portuguese earned his first home win for the Blues against Man Utd 10 years ago. How time flies...
UPDATE: The full-time whistle has gone at the Liberty Stadium and it's good news if you're a Tottenham Hotspur fan because they have beaten Swansea City 3-1. Emmanuel Adebayor netted twice for the visitors.
Right, back to business. Chelsea start the day on an unbeaten run of six matches in the Premier League that includes four straight victories. Meanwhile, Man Utd can make it two consecutive wins this afternoon following their 2-0 triumph at home to Swansea City last weekend.
HEAD TO HEAD: It's Man Utd who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams with 68 wins to Chelsea's 45. Meanwhile, there have been 45 draws.
Man Utd also have the superior record when it comes to matches between these sides at Stamford Bridge. The Red Devils have come out on top 33 times compared to Chelsea's 23. The visitors also won this fixture last season thanks to a 3-2 scoreline before Chelsea earned a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. The reverse fixture this season saw the teams play out a goalless draw.
I can't be forgotten that today has the fascinating sub-plot involving Jose Mourinho and David Moyes. Much was made of Man Utd's decision to appoint Moyes rather than Mourinho over the summer, and the Portuguese has done his best to claim that the reported snub did not affect him. As you can imagine, he will be going all out to get one over the Red Devils today.
When it comes to David Moyes's record away from home against Chelsea, the Scot has never managed one in the Premier League. The Scot will be desperate to put that right today, but he is sure to have his work cut out due to Chelsea's confidence at the moment.
PREDICTION TIME: We here at Sports Mole expect an entertaining clash between these two teams today, but we've gone for a 2-1 win for Chelsea based on the fact that they are on a superb run of form in the Premier League at the moment.
REFEREE WATCH: The official for today's match is Phil Dowd. Not long to go now, around eight minutes until this one gets underway.
The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Man Utd to kick us off here at Stamford Bridge. Here we go!
CHANCE! Man Utd have started really positively and they are nearly rewarded with the opening goal. Young was played in just inside the Chelsea box, but his low effort is pushed away by Cech. The hosts are struggling to get on the ball at the moment.
It's still Man Utd who are asking all of the questions. The visitors are showing plenty of attacking intent and they win a corner thanks to good work from Valencia. However, Chelsea just about see off the danger.
The away side are frustrating their opponents at the minute as they keep the ball with confidence. Carrick in particular is making everything tick in midfield. The England international needs to be at the top of his game today if Man Utd are to get anything out of this match.
For all of their creative riches in midfield, Chelsea are struggling to make anything happen. Ramires drives towards goal, but his tame effort is easily held by De Gea.
This is better from Chelsea. They still haven't really created anything of not, but they're starting to enjoy a bit more of the ball. Oscar and Hazard in particular are both beginning to come out of their shells.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 MAN UTD (ETO'O)
That is what you call smash and grab. Chelsea have been second best since kickoff, but now they lead thanks to a deflected strike from Samuel Eto'o! The striker was afforded plenty of space on the edge of the box before seeing his left-footed strike come off Carrick and fly past De Gea.
YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the afternoon goes the way of Chelsea's David Luiz for a crunching tackle on Valencia that did plenty to upset the Man Utd bench.
CHANCE! Wonderful from Hazard. The Belgian made a storming run down the left into the Man Utd box before seeing his cross put out for a corner. The visitors struggle to clear it first time, but they manage to see off the danger at the second time of asking.
Something of a half-chance for Chelsea as Hazard and Ramires lead a counter-attack. Ivanovic eventually receives the ball out on the left, though his cross is a poor one that flies out of play for a goal kick. The hosts are looking more like their cavalier selves now.
Credit to Man Utd, they haven't let their heads drop too much after going behind. They're still displaying a lot of confidence when pushing forward. Evra tries his luck from a tight angle, but he can only fire wide. Maybe not the best decision because the Frenchman had a couple of teammates up with him.
Oscar is the latest Chelsea play to have a crack at goal as he tries to find the bottom corner from the edge of the box. However, the playmaker drags his effort wide. Plenty of gaps are starting to develop on the pitch as the game becomes more of an end-to-end contest.
CHANCE! Januzaj does well to take on Luiz inside the Chelsea box before putting a tantalising ball right across the face of goal. Unfortunately for the youngster, no one is there to tap home. Still, it's all encouraging stuff for the visitors as they look to get back on level terms.
There have been one or two decisions from Phil Dowd today that Jose Mourinho has taken exception to. Needless to say, the Portuguese has been very animated down on that touchline so far.
YELLOW CARD: Silly from Ashley Young as the winger goes into the book for pulling down Ramires just as Chelsea looked to break.
CHANCE! That really should be 1-1 as Welbeck squanders a glorious opportunity. Januzaj's cross somehow founds its way through to Welbeck, but the striker had to dig the ball out from under his feet before shooting straight at Cech.
Five minutes of normal time left in this first half and it's Man Utd who are finishing the stronger of the two teams. Evra makes a run inside the Chelsea box, but his attempted pass to Welbeck is cut out by the alert Luiz.
CHANCE! Almost 2-0 to Chelsea thanks to a spectacular effort from Oscar! Eto's deflected shot floated towards the Brazilian who fired over the crossbar from close range with an acrobatic overhead kick. What a goal that would have been had it gone in.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 MAN UTD (ETO'O)
What a time to score for Chelsea as Samuel Eto'o grabs his second of the game to make it 2-0! Man Utd failed to clear their lines from a corner, allowing Hazard to drill a low cross into the box where Eto'o was waiting to fire past De Gea. It's a long way back for the champions now.
There will be two minutes of added time...
HALF TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 MAN UTD
Phil Dowd blows the half-time whistle and it's Chelsea who are in control against Man Utd thanks to a 2-0 lead over the champions. Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring on 16 minutes before doubling his side's advantage with a minute left to play.
The visitors started the match very well indeed, but a lack of finishing has allowed Chelsea to play themselves into the contest. Jose Mourinho is sure to be pleased with the position that his side are in. Meanwhile, David Moyes needs to come up with a plan that will get the champions back in this.
UPDATE: In case you missed it earlier, today's other match in the Premier League saw Tottenham Hotspur earn a 3-1 win against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium. You can read our match report of that one right here.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out for the second half an neither manager has decided to make any changes during the break. It's Chelsea who kick us off.
GOAL! CHELSEA 3-0 MAN UTD (ETO'O)
That is surely game over now as Samuel Eto'o gets his hat-trick! Cahill's header from Willian's corner was saved by De Gea, but Eto'o was on hand to tap in from close range. This is turning out to be a nightmare for the champions.
SUBSTITUTION: Man Utd make the first change of the afternoon as Chris Smalling comes on for Patrice Evra. It looked like the Frenchman was struggling with an injury there.
It's hard to imagine that it was Man Utd looked better than Chelsea at the start of this match. Since then the Red Devils have been woeful. A lot can be said about the absences of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, but this has been a huge disappointment for the visitors.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Man Utd here as Javier Hernandez enters the action in place of Ashley Young. The Mexican is sure to inject a bit of attacking menace for the visitors, though they are just trying to save some pride now.
Ramires takes aim from 25 yards, but the Brazilian's effort was always going over the crossbar. Frank Lampard is warming up for the hosts. Will the veteran midfielder be introduced soon?
Chelsea are starting to turn the screw a bit now in terms of possession. They're pushing Man Utd further and further back, while the visitors can't get the ball. Jose Mourinho is down on the touchline looking quietly content. The same can't be said for David Moyes.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make a change now as John Obi Mikel replaces Oscar. The Brazilian has been his usual busy self today and gets a good ovation from the home fans as he leaves the pitch.
CHANCE! Man Utd create a rare opening as Welbeck gets in front of his man for a corner, but the striker can only flash his header wide. The champions continue to huff and puff.
Just under 20 minutes to play at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea look on course for a comfortable win over the champions. Man Utd are still giving it a go, but any kind of result is well beyond their grasp now. Credit to the travelling supporters though - they've been in fine voice all afternoon.
Chelsea are just going through the motions at the moment. They're willing to slow the pace of the game down as we approach the final whistle. The irony is that they haven't been at their sparkling best this afternoon. However, they've done enough to take advantage of a lacklustre Man Utd side.
GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 MAN UTD (HERNANDEZ)
Man Utd pull a goal back through Javier Hernandez, though it's surely too little, too late. Jones took aim from the edge of the penalty area, and there was the Mexican to divert the ball into the net from close range.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make a change now as hat-trick hero Samuel Eto'o leaves the pitch for Fernando Torres.
Man Utd have just seven minutes of normal time to find a couple of goals, but they're certainly giving it a go. Chelsea suddenly realise that they're in a game as the visitors surge forward looking to cut the deficit once again.
SUBSTITUTION: A huge cheer emanates from around Stamford Bridge as recent signing Nemanja Matic enters the action in place of Willian.
Just two minutes of normal time left to play and Chelsea are doing their best to run down the clock. Remember, this win will take them to within two points of leaders Arsenal.
Four minutes of added time are indicated by the fourth official...
RED CARD! NEMANJA VIDIC (MAN UTD)
A bad day for Man Utd just got worse as Nemanja Vidic is shown a straight red card for chopping down Hazard. The ball looked to have gone, but that didn't stop the skipper lunging in on the Belgian.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 3-1 MAN UTD
The full-time whistle goes and it's joy for Chelsea as they beat Man Utd 3-1 thanks to a Samuel Eto'o hat-trick. The visitors pulled a goal back late on through Javier Hernandez, but that wasn't enough to stop Jose Mourinho picking up his 100th Premier League win in charge of the Blues.
That's all from me but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from tonight's match right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
