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Match Analysis: Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea

Match Analysis: United 2-2 Chelsea
© PA Photos
Sports Mole casts its eye over the thrilling FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester United and Chelsea.

Chelsea staged a second-half fightback to earn an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United this afternoon.

Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney struck inside the opening 15 minutes to put United ahead but Eden Hazard and Ramires scored to level the match.

The draw has since been made and the winner of the Stamford Bridge replay will take on Manchester City in the last four.

Below, Sports Mole picks the bones out of a thrilling match at Old Trafford.

Match statistics:

United:
Shots 9
On target 5
Possession 49%
Corners 2
Fouls 5

Chelsea:
Shots 15
On target 11
Possession 51%
Corners 4
Fouls 12

Was the result fair?

Yes. United began like a steam train but Chelsea were brilliant from around the half-hour mark. In all honesty, had Chelsea not been so sloppy early on then they would have deserved to win the game.

United's performance

They were out of the blocks very quickly but United won't be happy with their overall performance. Chelsea made them look like the away side in the second half. Sir Alex Ferguson's side will want to get the win in the replay more than ever as they know City wait in the semi.

Chelsea's performance

The Blues were straight on the back foot but made a fantastic response towards the end of the first half and all through the second. A draw was the least they deserved.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Juan Mata: The diminutive Spaniard was rested for the Europa League loss in Bucharest in midweek and Chelsea paid for that. He started today and although Chelsea begun badly, Mata was the orchestrator of their superb fightback.

Biggest gaffe

Maybe should go to either Petr Cech or Gary Cahill for getting caught out by Michael Carrick's excellent pass to Hernandez to head the opener.

Referee performance

Howard Webb had a solid game all round, making no blunders to speak of.

What next?

United: Next up for the Red Devils is a home match in the league against Reading on Saturday.

Chelsea: The Blues, meanwhile, welcome Steaua Bucuresti to Stamford Bridge on Thursday needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg last week.

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Ramires is congratulated by team mates Oscar and Juan Mata after scoring the equaliser against Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter final on March 10, 2013
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