Good evening ladies and gentlemen and you're very welcome to our coverage of Chelsea's clash with Manchester United. I'm Shane, and we'll be bringing you live updates of everything that happens inside Stamford Bridge tonight. Well, if it happens on the field of course; if something mental happens in the stands like, say, the injured Diego Costa bludgeoning somebody with his crutch, then we can't help you there.

It's the final stretch in a title race that, sadly, has been no more a contest than it is a race between Usain Bolt and Oscar Pistorius - without his prosthetics - but, like Bolt, will Chelsea slow down as they approach the finish line?

This game could, and probably should, have far bigger implications on deciding where the title ends up this season but with Chelsea eight points clear of United with a game in hand, even defeat would probably slow the inevitable at this stage.

Still, that isn't to say that we don't have a very interesting clash on our hands because, despite the fact there may not be as much at stake as we, and Sky Sports, would have liked, it's still an opportunity to see how far the Red Devils have come under Mr Louis van Gaal this season.

Like Raheem Sterling, it's been a very high few weeks for United, who edged out bitter rivals Manchester City 4-2 last weekend to extend their five-game winning streak to six, but it was their early-season form, particularly after picking five points in their first five games, that seems to undermined them and made the clash to Stamford Bridge less important than it should've been.

Last summer saw Van Gaal secure more big names than a Vennegoor of Hesselink family reunion, with the likes of Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao just a few of the players that arrived at Old Trafford in a spending spree totalling, hmm, about £150m.

Despite their outlay, though, a top-four finish was always the realistic aim for the Dutchman in his maiden season and, with the Red Devils third in the table, eight points clear of Liverpool back in fifth, it certainly looks as if we'll be seeing the European giants back among their continental rivals in the Champions League next season. Somewhere in Spain we bet David Moyes is throwing darts at a photo of Van Gaal's big face.

Still, despite the six-game winning streak, this is undoubtedly United's biggest test of the campaign thus far and should tell us how close they are to Chelsea in terms of quality - and, crucially, how much of a threat they can be to the champions elect in the 2015-16 campaign.

It's United's first trip to Stamford Bridge this season but, like the Kardashian sisters, the last one wasn't very pretty as the Blues won 3-1 after Samuel Eto'o's hat-trick gave them a 3-0 lead after just 48 minutes! It was game, set and match with half of the encounter left to play. To be fair, with Van Gaal been slightly more successful than Mr Moyes, it's very unlikely that this evening's encounter will similarly one-sided.

Let's have a quick check on how both sides line up this evening, shall we? We'll have this in the coming minutes ladies and gents, but in the mean time, let's whet the appetite.

CHELSEA XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta, Zouma, Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Hazard, Drogba

MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Shaw, Mata, Rooney, Herrera, Young, Fellaini, Falcao

CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Ramires, Cuadrado, Willian, Solanke

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Valdes, Blackett, Rafael, Di Maria, Januzaj, Pereira, van Persie

Right, let's be polite and start with the visitors, will we? Why not, and I can tell you that Van Gaal makes three changes to his side from that 4-2 win over City - and one of those changes is only Radamel Falcao! He spearheads the attack after earning his first start since February, as Wayne Rooney drops back to midfield. Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw come into the defence to replace Phil Jones and Daley Blind, while Michael Carrick drops out for Falcao. Decent side.

On to this evening's hosts and Mourinho makes two changes from his side's narrow 1-0 win over QPR last time out, with Kurt Zouma replacing Ramires to partner Nemanja Matic in a beefy midfield, while Oscar returns to displace Willian. There's no Remy, or Costa as we know, so Didier Drogba continues up front, with 17-year-old forward Dominic Solanke on the bench. He had planned on spending this evening drinking cider in a park with his mates until he got the call from Jose. *may not be true*

With Costa out through injury, who's going to make the Blues tick? Arguably the same bloke who has been making them tick all season - Eden Hazard.

What a classy player this Hazard is, the Belgian has been instrumental for Chelsea this season and, according to the bookies, who are experts at gauging probable outcomes, he's going to win PFA Player of the Year. He'd have my vote.

However, the 24-year-old schemer faces his fellow nominee David de Gea today, with the Spaniard the only non-attacking quantity among the six candidates. He's been truly brilliant this season, and with his opposite number Thibaut Courtois no less of a formidable goalkeeper, we'll probably end up seeing a 0-0 this evening by virtue of the fact they have both been outstanding this season.

But who can the Red Devils look to as the man most capable of testing Courtois at the other end? Well Rooney, who only has one goal in his last four games, does have four career goals at Stamford Bridge under his belt, but it looks like he'll be in midfield this evening, so who else?

Another man who has a track record against Chelsea is Mr Falcao, who scored three in one match against the Blues in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup for Atletico Madrid. It was a truly world-class hat-trick from the Colombian in a feat which seems to make his United struggles all the more baffling.

Where did it go wrong for him in England? That's another investigation for another day. For now, let's remember him for the way he was, and here's our Radamel with a quick reminder. How United fans would love if he came close to replicating this standard this evening.

PREDICTION: We're half-an-hour from kickoff so let's do what we always do and get a prediction completely wrong, shall we? Okay, and I'm on a 2-1 Chelsea win this evening folks. Why? Because I don't think there's a team in the division capable of stopping them at the minute, and Mourinho, Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona in the 90s, will want to one-up his mentor today.

Incidentally, feel free to lodge your own prediction, but bear in mind we do not have a speedboat or a holiday to award to the person with the correct guess. Instead, we have four cylinders of nitrous oxide and 22 shisha pipes up for grabs. Raheem from Merseyside is hell-bent on winning it seems after lodging 18 different predictions already. It's not against the rules so best of luck to him. *may not be a real competition*

DID YOU KNOW? Let's look at a few stats to whet the appetite further, and did you know that Chelsea are the only team in the Premier League era to have won more games against United than they have lost? Quite impressive really, given how dominant our Manchester visitors were in the pre-Abramovich era. They've won 15, lost 13 and drawn 17. #Decent #Needlesshashtags

This also promises to be quite a feisty affair, with FIVE players being sent off in the last five meetings between the sides. Ivanovic has been sent off twice, along with Fernando Torres once, while Rafael and Nemanja Vidic also saw red in this fixture in recent years.

Let's hope we're left discussing the football at full time, though, because despite the limited stake, it's still a really big game and it'd be a shame to see it marred with some of the antics that have tarnished this fixture in the past - especially at Stamford Bridge. Sir Alex Ferguson was slapped with a five-match touchline ban over comments made about Martkin Atkinson's refereeing performance during a feisty clash here back in 2011.

We're 15 minutes from kickoff now folks. Excited? Me too, but let's be wary because, according to Van Gaal, Mourinho will be "satisfied" with a point here this evening, and those types of games do not tend to be crackers, do they?

Here's what the Dutchman told reporters on Friday: "The challenge is bigger than big. Firstly, Manchester United has not given the best results in away games and, secondly, Chelsea do not lose so much at home. So it will be very difficult. Chelsea play at home but I think they will be satisfied with a draw. However, of course they want to beat Manchester United and we want to beat them."

Do United have a chance despite their "bigger than big challenge" then? Of course they do. It's almost a year to the day since Chelsea last lost at home - a defeat to Sunderland on April 19 - but, as Newcastle and Spurs have proven this season, they can be beaten. Morale is high in the United camp at the moment so they'll come into this one pumped. 10 minutes now!

It's been another busy day in the Premier League, and if you want results from the day's earlier kickoffs then go ahead and click here my friends.

Chelsea line up in the tunnel, with John Terry looking as concentrated as ever. Wayne Rooney's United arrive now and him and Terry have a bit of an awkward silence after shaking hands. Get them out on the field asap I can't handle this awkwardness.

Incidentally, Mike Dean is our referee this evening folks. Good or bad choice? Time will tell. As we touched on earlier, let's hope that the referee doesn't take centre stage.

We're just a minute away now my friends. Will United preserve their very feint hopes of a Premier League title, or will Chelsea effectively wrap it up here? Let's find out.

KICKOFF: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand we're off at Stamford Bridge. Let's go!

CLOSE! Oh my word it looked like this was in, as Rooney curled just narrowly wide of the post following Luke Shaw's clever cut back. It's rather embarrassing for De Gea, who celebrated before realising his mistake! Chelsea fans enjoyed that.

United the better side so far. They're knocking the ball around very comfortably in these early stages, and that warning sign a moment ago will concern Mourinho because it did look ridiculously simple.

CHANCE! Chelsea get beyond United's back four in their first real attack, as Hazard cleverly plays in Fabregas, whose pass across the six-yard box is cut out by Herrera before it can cause any real danger, and the corner comes to nothing. Better from the hosts.

You'd think one of Chelsea's backroom staff would've brought a cap with them, because nearly every single one of them is using their hand as a sun visor to block out a glorious sunny day in West London. Perhaps the rotund fella with the rosy cheeks who mans the tunnel can nip into the club shop and pick up a few caps?

SHOT! This is optimistic from Herrera, who takes aim from about 30 yards but the Spaniard drags his shot harmlessly wide of Courtois's goal. We haven't seen much of Falcao as of yet.

SHOT! Another United shot, and this one's better as centre-back Paddy McNair rifles one wide of goal, but it took the slightest nick of Terry and the corner comes to nothing. The Northern Irishman looks very assured in possession so far.

15 minutes in and United dominating the possession stakes, with 67% to Chelsea's 37%. Will Mourinho be bothered? I sincerely doubt it.

Shaw has been getting forward all evening and causing real problems down that left-hand flank. His cross, following a swift free-flowing move, is cut out for a corner, which ultimately comes to nothing. Still, the young left-back has given them a few warnings thus far.

We've seen little from Juan Mata on his return to Stamford Bridge, but he's proving a decent link between midfield and attack in the few times we've seen him. How he'd love a goal today, and you wouldn't back against him with the form that he's in.

Chelsea haven't got forward often, but when they do there's a real threat about them. Hazard pounces on Herrera's hospital ball there before playing in Fabregas, who looks to return the favour but his through ball is cut out.

Mata was stood a matter of feet from the Chelsea fans just then as he prepared for a corner, but thankfully there was no jeers or that hand gesture. You know the one!

Incidentally, Andriy Shevchenko is in attendance this evening. Good to see him. He, more than anybody else in Stamford Bridge this evening, must emphathise with Radamel Falcao over his goalscoring his woes, having failed to scale the heights expected of him himself following a big-money move to Chelsea back in 2006 was it?

Drogba fires a free kick straight into the wall in an incident which summed up Chelsea's first 30 minutes; they're just not getting through at the moment. It was a little like this at QPR last weekend too, but they also found a way to win that because they specialise in ugly wins. It's kinda a prerequisite for title challengers at this stage of the season, isn't it?

Drogba earns a telling-off from referee Mike Dean for his late challenge on Ander Herrera. The Spaniard didn't appreciate it too much, but all is sorted now. 13 minutes left in this half.

Bit of a mix-up between David de Gea and Antonio Valencia there, as they come for the same ball following Oscar's cross in a communication breakdown that they were fortunate to get away with. Don't they speak the same first language? No excuse for that.

Oh dear. Didier Drogba ruled offside as a promising counter-attack breaks down. It's been the story of their half; not been offside, but shooting themselves in the foot as far as attacking goes. They've been poor in the final third.

This has come from absolutely nowhere. John Terry wins the ball off Radamel Falcao on the halfway line to set up a counter, and Oscar's brilliant backheels releases Hazard, who runs through on goal before slotting past De Gea. Against the run of play? Not exactly because United hadn't done much in recent minutes, but it still came from nowhere. Chelsea won't care. 1-0.

Falcao and John Terry get embroiled in a bit of an on-the-ground melee there. It was odd. We did say there's been five red cards in the last five meetings, so we can't rule out another sending-off here.

One minute until the break then and Chelsea slightly fortunate to be ahead it has to be said. Still, we said that they specialise in winning games that they don't deserve, and the way it's shaping up this could be yet another.

That's all she wrote in that half then. Not a fantastic first 45 from either side by all means, but Chelsea 1-0 ahead thanks to Hazard's composed finish following Oscar's brilliant backheal.

Aside from the goal, United had the best chance in the half - and it came after just four minutes. Ashley Young played in Luke Shaw down the left-hand flank, before the defender cut back for Rooney on the edge of the box and skipper curled just wide. It was close, as David de Gea knows because he celebrated, but it now looks a costly miss, doesn't it?

Where now for United then? Falcao isn't playing great as the spearhead, and we might see Robin van Persie before long. It was the Dutchman who struck that last-gasp equaliser to earn the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford earlier this season so, you know, United have options. It's a big 45 minutes ahead and personally I can't wait.

KICKOFF: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're back underway in West London. Chelsea, playing from left to right, kick us off once more ahead of a very interesting 45 minutes. Victory would put the hosts within just two wins of the Premier League title.

Quiet opening to the half then and there's a danger of Chelsea trying to kill the contest now I fear. They definitely need a second goal, because United have won their last six so they won't exactly bow out now, but it remains to be seen if they'll go for it.

If Hazard doesn't win PFA Player of the Year it's a sham. The Belgian has just effortlessly sprinted most of the pitch, evading challenges from Young and Rooney before playing in Fabregas on the left, but the Spaniard's cross was cut out. He's such a joy to watch.

BOOKING: Didier Drogba becomes the first player booked following a late challenge.

OFF THE POST! Oh my word how did this stay out? Didier Drogba races on to Fabregas's through ball but his deflected shot loops over De Gea and looks to be bouncing wide, but Hazard improvises with a bit of brilliance to prevent it from going out when his flick came back off the post. It stemmed from Ander Herrera's loose pass so he'll be relieved. Very.

BOOKING: Branislav Ivanovic booked now for cynically fouling Shaw, who had burnt him for pace down the left-hand side. Good chance here for United. Let's see what happens.

It comes to nothing as a training-ground routine falls flat on its face unfortunately.

United's final ball just hasn't been good enough. Shaw, in particular, has whipped in about five crosses this afternoon but none of them have reached a red shirt. Poor.

CHANCE! Just as I write that, Shaw runs rings around Drogba before cutting back for Mata, who couldn't direct his effort on target and it went over the bar. Brilliant play from Shaw there.

Brilliant defending from Oscar as he gets across really, really quickly to prevent Rooney from curling home Fellaini's cut-back. It's a good spell from United but Chelsea defending really well it has to be said.

CLOSE! We've seen our first sign of promise from Falcao, who thrashes just wide from outside the box. Better, but that could be the start of his last involvement in this. He's not been great.

SUB: We've seen our first sub, and it's Ramires for Oscar. Mourinho is obviously a little concerned about the amount of freedom that Luke Shaw has had down the left-hand flank and Ramires should peg him back slightly.

DOUBLE SUB: Two changes for United now as Young and Mata make way for Angel di Maria and Adnan Januzaj. Mata gets a good reception in his former stomping ground.

CHANCE! What a huge block this is from Gary Cahill, who throws a leg in the way to prevent Falcao from smashing past Courtois. Massive.

SHOT! Hazard looks to double the lead and put the game to bed, but his tame effort was comfortably kept out by De Gea.

CHANCE! Falcao times his run to perfection after shrugging off Zouma but, with Fellaini unmarked in the middle, the Colombian went for goal despite the acute angle and smashed against the side-netting. Chances have been few and far between for United today, and that one, along with Rooney's opportunity earlier, will probably prove costly.

It's a very decent spell from United this, but I don't see them breaching this back four and scoring. Chelsea have been ridiculously disciplined thus far and, with 10 minutes left, time is running out.

SUB: Van Gaal makes his last change now as Tyler Blackett replaces the impressive Luke Shaw on his return from injury.

CHANCE! This is a chance, as Rooney heads Di Maria's corner over the bar from a really good position. He'll be disappointed with that.

Chelsea bossing possession for the last few minutes but they seem quite content to hold this 1-0 lead. Just a reminder that victory would take them within two wins of the title! There could yet be a late twist here though, so let's rule nothing out.

Brilliant from Drogba as he wins a soft free kick to earn his side a reprieve as they close in on victory.

SUB: John Obi Mikel replaces Fabregas for the last, eh, two minutes. That'll slow things down a little more.

BOOKED: Herrera booked for diving. Good decision by Dean.

That's it! Chelsea are two wins clear of the title following a 1-0 victory over United. Hazard was the difference yet again and surely that's enough to see the Blues over the finish line.

Huge win. I think we'll call it there my friends. If you've been with us since 4pm then congratulations. You're hardcore. But if you want a little more then come back in about an hour and we'll have analysis and ratings. We've spoiled you today.

Have a nice weekend!