Manchester United took a giant step to knocking Liverpool off their perch by beating Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Man United
Edwin Van der Sar - 7
Veteran's display from the big Dutchman. Had little to do for large periods of the game but came out tops almost every time United needed him to. His save to deny Kalou a headed goal from close range kept things at 2-0 and he also foiled Drogba's best attempts.
Fabio Da Silva (Off 87') - 6
Stayed on the right flank and combined with Valencia to good use for United.
Rio Ferdinand - 6.5
His reading of the game was crucial to stop Drogba from bringing Chelsea's midfielders into the game more.
Nemanja Vidic - 7.5
Captain fantastic for United. Vidic got the champagne corks popping with a committed header to score United's second after a great Giggs' cross.
John O'Shea (Off 45') - 6
Fresh from his role as skipper against Schalke in the Champions League, O'Shea was fairly assured at the back until he got injured.
Antonio Valencia - 7.5
He worked so hard for United's cause and was a menace down the right. Equally adept at crossing from the byline or cutting in, he kept his marker Cole guessing all match.
Michael Carrick - 6.5
Rarely needed to get out of second gear with Giggs running the show in the middle of the park. He just kept feeding Giggs.
Ryan Giggs - 8
He made all three of United's goals to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League and it was another vintage performance from the Welshman against the Blues. A banner at Old Trafford read 'Giggs: Tearing you apart since 1991' and it was fitting for this contest.
Ji-Sung Park - 7.5
Justified his place ahead of Nani. He took Luiz out of the game with his pass to set Hernandez up for United's first goal after just 36 seconds. The Korean went from strength to strength after that and was breaking up Chelsea's attack with his energy and closing down.
Wayne Rooney - 6.5
Chelsea struggled to pick his runs up but he was wasteful in front of goal. One chance in particular was a gift given to him by Hernandez's square ball. Alex with the goalline block instead.
Javier Hernandez - 7
Typical Hernandez. Hanging on the shoulder of the last defender he found himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat and he made no mistake. A great finish for his 13th league goal.
Subs
Jonny Evans (On 45') - 6
Came on for the injured O'Shea and he showed some neat footwork when he got forward.
Chris Smalling (On 87') - N/A
Came on for Fabio. Fresh legs.
Chelsea
Petr Cech - 7
Made a great save to deny Rooney and United a quick fire double in the opening stages of the match. It was crucial as it kept Chelsea hopes alive somewhat and they pulled a goal back through Lampard to set up a nervy finish.
Branislav Ivanovic - 4
Lucky to stay on the pitch. His yellow card for a late tackle on Rooney in the first half should have been followed up with another yellow card for a separate challenge on the same player in the same half. Vidic also got the jump on him for United's second goal.
John Terry - 7
Chelsea's best defender but you wouldn't have expected any less from Mr. Chelsea.
Marinho David Luiz (Off 45') - 4
He was shaky. For United's first goal, he should have stepped up to play Hernandez offside. He didn't, opting to try and cut out Park's pass instead but he touched it into the striker's favoured foot and the Mexican made no mistake. Hauled off by his manager at half-time.
Ashley Cole - 6.5
Had his hands full with Valencia and stuck to his task well. It was very difficult for him to get forward because of the Ecuadorian.
Mikel (Off 45') - 5
Mikel and Malouda were in disarray in the early stages of the game with both unsure who should pick Rooney's runs. Taken off at half-time.
Frank Lampard - 6.5
Very quiet first half and an average second half by his high standards. But he's such a good finisher that he can make a contribution to the team even when he's not had the best of games. He stuck out an instinctive leg to pull Chelsea back into the game at 1-2.
Michael Essien - 7
Drove Chelsea forward at times but he was caught off guard in the opening minute when United raced off the block from the first whistle.
Salomon Kalou (Off 61') - 6
Got the nod ahead of Torres but it took Chelsea until the 19th minute to mount their first serious attack of the game. Kalou testing Van der Sar with a snap shot on target.
Didier Drogba - 7
Strong and determined, Drogba takes some stopping. A good free-kick on 30 minutes tested Van der Sar and throughout the game he remained a threat for Chelsea. He was Chelseas's best player.
Florent Malouda - 6
Put in some good crosses but it was too far and few in between from Chelsea's point of view.
Subs
Ramires (On 45') - 6.5
His energy and industry helped Chelsea get back a hold of the midfield and the game.
Alex (On 45') - 7
What a block to deny Rooney a gifted goal on 70 minutes that would have made things 3-1 in United's favour. Simply awesome defending.
Fernando Torres (On 60') - 6.5
No goal which is bound to make the headlines again but Torres did OK. Good movement and showed some flashes of a goal in him.
Man United
Edwin Van der Sar - 7
Veteran's display from the big Dutchman. Had little to do for large periods of the game but came out tops almost every time United needed him to. His save to deny Kalou a headed goal from close range kept things at 2-0 and he also foiled Drogba's best attempts.
Fabio Da Silva (Off 87') - 6
Stayed on the right flank and combined with Valencia to good use for United.
Rio Ferdinand - 6.5
His reading of the game was crucial to stop Drogba from bringing Chelsea's midfielders into the game more.
Nemanja Vidic - 7.5
Captain fantastic for United. Vidic got the champagne corks popping with a committed header to score United's second after a great Giggs' cross.
John O'Shea (Off 45') - 6
Fresh from his role as skipper against Schalke in the Champions League, O'Shea was fairly assured at the back until he got injured.
Antonio Valencia - 7.5
He worked so hard for United's cause and was a menace down the right. Equally adept at crossing from the byline or cutting in, he kept his marker Cole guessing all match.
Michael Carrick - 6.5
Rarely needed to get out of second gear with Giggs running the show in the middle of the park. He just kept feeding Giggs.
Ryan Giggs - 8
He made all three of United's goals to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League and it was another vintage performance from the Welshman against the Blues. A banner at Old Trafford read 'Giggs: Tearing you apart since 1991' and it was fitting for this contest.
Ji-Sung Park - 7.5
Justified his place ahead of Nani. He took Luiz out of the game with his pass to set Hernandez up for United's first goal after just 36 seconds. The Korean went from strength to strength after that and was breaking up Chelsea's attack with his energy and closing down.
Wayne Rooney - 6.5
Chelsea struggled to pick his runs up but he was wasteful in front of goal. One chance in particular was a gift given to him by Hernandez's square ball. Alex with the goalline block instead.
Javier Hernandez - 7
Typical Hernandez. Hanging on the shoulder of the last defender he found himself through on goal with just the keeper to beat and he made no mistake. A great finish for his 13th league goal.
Subs
Jonny Evans (On 45') - 6
Came on for the injured O'Shea and he showed some neat footwork when he got forward.
Chris Smalling (On 87') - N/A
Came on for Fabio. Fresh legs.
Chelsea
Petr Cech - 7
Made a great save to deny Rooney and United a quick fire double in the opening stages of the match. It was crucial as it kept Chelsea hopes alive somewhat and they pulled a goal back through Lampard to set up a nervy finish.
Branislav Ivanovic - 4
Lucky to stay on the pitch. His yellow card for a late tackle on Rooney in the first half should have been followed up with another yellow card for a separate challenge on the same player in the same half. Vidic also got the jump on him for United's second goal.
John Terry - 7
Chelsea's best defender but you wouldn't have expected any less from Mr. Chelsea.
Marinho David Luiz (Off 45') - 4
He was shaky. For United's first goal, he should have stepped up to play Hernandez offside. He didn't, opting to try and cut out Park's pass instead but he touched it into the striker's favoured foot and the Mexican made no mistake. Hauled off by his manager at half-time.
Ashley Cole - 6.5
Had his hands full with Valencia and stuck to his task well. It was very difficult for him to get forward because of the Ecuadorian.
Mikel (Off 45') - 5
Mikel and Malouda were in disarray in the early stages of the game with both unsure who should pick Rooney's runs. Taken off at half-time.
Frank Lampard - 6.5
Very quiet first half and an average second half by his high standards. But he's such a good finisher that he can make a contribution to the team even when he's not had the best of games. He stuck out an instinctive leg to pull Chelsea back into the game at 1-2.
Michael Essien - 7
Drove Chelsea forward at times but he was caught off guard in the opening minute when United raced off the block from the first whistle.
Salomon Kalou (Off 61') - 6
Got the nod ahead of Torres but it took Chelsea until the 19th minute to mount their first serious attack of the game. Kalou testing Van der Sar with a snap shot on target.
Didier Drogba - 7
Strong and determined, Drogba takes some stopping. A good free-kick on 30 minutes tested Van der Sar and throughout the game he remained a threat for Chelsea. He was Chelseas's best player.
Florent Malouda - 6
Put in some good crosses but it was too far and few in between from Chelsea's point of view.
Ramires (On 45') - 6.5
His energy and industry helped Chelsea get back a hold of the midfield and the game.
Alex (On 45') - 7
What a block to deny Rooney a gifted goal on 70 minutes that would have made things 3-1 in United's favour. Simply awesome defending.
Fernando Torres (On 60') - 6.5
No goal which is bound to make the headlines again but Torres did OK. Good movement and showed some flashes of a goal in him.
