Samuel Eto’s first hat-trick in English football gave Chelsea a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
United had begun brightly, but it was Chelsea who broke the deadlock with one of their first attacks in the 17th minute as Eto’o saw a shot deflect off Michael Carrick and over a helpless David De Gea.
De Gea could do little with Eto’o’s second, which arrived just before the half-time, as United failed to clear a corner and Gary Cahill crossed for the Cameroonian star to fire home from six-yards.
United would have looked to get back into the match early in the second-half but the game was put well and truly out of their reach as Eto’o helped himself to his third just minutes after the re-start.
And it was again Cahill who played his part as he met Willian’s corner, De Gea could only parry and Eto’o was on hand to turn it home from close-range.
There was time for United to get on the score-sheet as substitute Javier Hernandez converted what proved to be no more than a mere consolation for David Moyes’s side.
To make matters even worse, United captain, Nemanja Vidic, was shown a straight red in injury time for diving in on Eden Hazard.
The three points sees Chelsea move back to within touching distance of leaders, Arsenal, and second placed Manchester City.
United stay in seventh, six-points adrift of fourth place and 14-points off the top.
The defence of their title surely now looks in tatters.
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