Chelsea 2 United 3

with a slender lead. Despite starting the second period with more attacking threat, Luiz handling a Valencia centre from close range inside the box, Sir Alex's side conceded an equaliser eight minutes into the half.

Mata showed great control after Evans felt he would not reach a long ball and, although his cross brushed off Ferdinand's head after the No 10 was forced wide, Oscar recycled it into the box for Ramires to outjump Tom Cleverley and head in for 2-2. With Chelsea's tails up, only De Gea's near-post save denied Hazard after he skipped past Rooney and the Belgian was then unable convert a superb pass by Mata.

The Reds rolled with the punches and started to emerge as a force again with van Persie unable to reach a Young cross and Rooney's header blocked from Valencia's ball into the area. Suddenly, the tide completely turned against the European champions as Ivanovic clipped Young's heels when he capitalised on a fine spin and pass by van Persie to race through. Referee Clattenburg had no option but to show the red card to the Serbian defender.

After Rooney's free-kick sailed over the top, there was real controversy when Torres was shown a second yellow card for simulation after making a meal of minimal contact from Evans. There is no doubting it was a harsh call by Clattenburg, even if the Spaniard's first offence was a dreadful challenge on Cleverley - and it left the hosts down to nine men with 22 minutes still to play.