Premier League: Chelsea v Manchester United - in pictures

Fans make their way into the ground before the match. Chelsea need to win to keep touch with the pace-setters, Arsenal and Manchester City; United need to win just to give themselves a bit of relief
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o tries to turn away from United's Antonio Valencia Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Eden Hazrd holds off Patrice Evra Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Eto'o scores the first goal in the 18th minute when he tries his luck from the edge of the box and the ball deflects off Michael Carrick's leg ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

... David de Gea, United's goalkeeper, is helpless as the ball sails into the top corner
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

David Moyes screams orders from the touchline as his side look to get back into a match in which they have hardly been outplayed
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But Eto'o bags his second on the stroke of half-time when he side-foots home from close range Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Early in the second half, Eto'o completes his hat-trick with a simple tap-in after De Gea had parried the ball to his feet
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Here's the reverse angle of the second goal Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The Cameroonian striker has single-handedly vanquished United today Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Nemanja Vidic and Fernando Torres tangle
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Javier Hernandez collects the ball after scoring a far-post tap-in for United in the 78th minute
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Late on, Vidic clatters into Eden Hazard and duly helps his opponent from the floor ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

But the referee, Phil Dowd, harshly sends the United defender off, compounding a miserable afternoon for the visitors. Final score: 3-1
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian