Chelsea’s dream of overhauling Manchester United ended in tatters after just 36 seconds of this must-win game for the Londoners at Old Trafford.
Three points behind, the visitors needed to win to put the pressure on United but they went down eventually by 2-1
Livewire Javier Hernandez struck after latching onto a Ji-Sung Park through pass.
The Mexican zipped past a prone David Luiz and slotted home coolly passed a hapless Petr Cech.
United pushed on for the decisive second sand on eight minutes Wayne Rooney had a fine 25 yard shot, on target – but Cech was equal to the task.
Didier Drogba reciprocated two minutes later, but his shot was wide of Edwin Van der Sar’s goal.
United should have got the second on 11 minutes when goods set-up play saw Hernandez with a simple chance to but he failed to connect to a Park’s clipped pass.
The first of several bookings came on 12minutes when Branislav Ivanovic cuts down Rooney.
Two minutes later and a brilliant counter-attack saw United walk through Chelsea leaving Rooney free to shoot just wide from outside the visitor’s penalty r was forced into a double save on 19 minutes, first from a Drogba header and then from a shot from Salomon Kalou.
United pushed forward at will and on 23 minutes Park produced a blistering right –footed shot from the angle of the penalty area, forcing Cech into a diving save to concede a corner.
But from resultant kick, Ryan Giggs rolled back the years and hit the by-line before clipping the perfect cross to Nemanja Vidic, who, unmarked headed powerfully home from six yards out to make it 2-0 to the home side.
Still Chelsea did not give up and on 25 minutes Van der Sar produced point-blank save from a Kalou header.
Four minutes later and this time its David Luiz to try his luck, but his long-range effort, left-foot drive from 25 yards heads straight to the midriff of Van der Sar.
The United goalkeeper was called into action again this time on 31 minutes beating away a fierce 30 yard Drogba free-kick.
It was Rooney’s turn to get into referee Howard Webb’s book on 39 minutes for a foul Luiz.
Two minutes from half-time and it was Michal Essien's turn to get a yellow for a foul on Park.
Carlo Ancelotti rang the changes at half time replacing Luiz and Mikel with Ramires and Alex.
But it was United who, on 53 minutes had a good shout for a penalty when Antonio Valencia’s by-line cross was deflected by Frank Lampard arm.
Fernando Torres entered the fray for Kalou on 61 minutes.
Chelsea’s first effort of the second-half, on goal on 65 minutes came from the speculative right-foot shot from Alex, who left fly from 30 yards but again Van der Sar was untroubled as he easily held the ball.
But Chelsea got their just rewards three minutes later when a Ramires, Ivanovic interchange saw Lampard tuck home from close range with a left footer. Vidic playing the midfielder onside.
With 20 minutes remaining Rooney should made it 3-1 when Ashley Cole lost possession and Alex produced a goal-line clearance of the highest order from the hit-man.
Two minutes later and Rooney had a snap shot, edge from t edge of the area, but wide of goal. Giggs was then booked for a foul on Ramires.
Hernandez missed a sitter to wrap the game up with four minutes remaining, heading over the bar from five yards.
Drogba became the last casualty with a booking on 90 minutes as United saw out the match and won their 17th home game out of 18 this season.
The Blues now trail United by six points and the reds need just a pointy from their next game – away to Blackburn Rovers to win the league.