Top 5 games of the season for Chelsea Football Club

3. Chelsea 5-4 Manchester United (AET) [October 31, 2012] [Home]

Chelsea had got their revenge in the Capital One Cup

It was a game of comebacks for Chelsea, after avenging their controversial loss which they suffered against the same opponents a weekend before. The scoring was opened by veteran Ryan Giggs after a naive mistake by Chelsea’s young Oriol Romeu. This just gave Chelsea added incentive to bring it back on level terms. Moses was brought down in the box by Buttner, and Luiz calmly put it past Anders Lindegaard.

Chicharito scored against Chelsea, which he was now used to after scoring against the Blues a few days back from an offside position, which was unfortunately not spotted by the linesman. Gary Cahill then headed in from a Mata corner in the second half to bring Chelsea back once again but Nani exchanged passes with Anderson and waltzed through Chelsea’s stuttering defence to make it 3-2.

Things became tense as the 90 minutes neared an end. Chelsea threw everyone at the young defensive partnership of United and they finally gave in. Ramires was brought down in the box in the 94th minute and Hazard put the ball into the back of the net in dramatic fashion.

Into extra-time they went and another mistake by the United defenders allowed Sturridge to give Chelsea the lead for the first time. Hazard then weaved his magic to play Ramires in, who twisted and turned away from the goalkeeper to slot the ball home. A late consolation was awarded for United, after Giggs scored from the penalty spot.

2. Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea [March 10, 2013] [Away]

Hazard scored from a beautiful right foot curler

Chelsea were completely outclassed for the first 45 minutes. It had become a habit for Chicharito to score against Chelsea, and he did in the 5th minute. Rooney scored from a free-kick in the 11th minute which looked more like a cross. Chelsea failed to keep hold of the ball with too many misplaced passes that could be read by the United players.

Moreover, the absence of John Terry made it worse for Chelsea, as the captain disappointedly looked on from the sidelines. Eden Hazard came on in the 52nd minute for Frank Lampard and scored from a wonderful curler in the 59th minute. The game was now swinging towards Chelsea as the Blues were rampant every time they attacked.

The ball then eventually landed in front of Ramires in the 68th minute, who calmly placed the ball through De Gea’s hands and into the back of the net. Chelsea had another chance with Mata’s shot, however United’s Spanish goalkeeper got a splendid touch with his right leg in time to parry it away. Chelsea had rescued their FA Cup hopes and went on for a replay at Stamford Bridge which they won.

1. Benfica 1-2 Chelsea [May 15, 2013] [Neutral]

The defining moment that rescued Chelsea’s season

Chelsea’s defence was tested again and again as Benfica controlled majority of the game. However, all their weak attempts could never find their way past Petr Cech. The first solid chance of the night came to Frank Lampard, whose powerful weaving shot was saved by the goalkeeper who could not believe his luck after moving towards the wrong direction.

In the second half, Benfica finally found the net, thanks to Oscar Cardozo, but he was rightly deemed offside by the officials. Torres, who had been working hard all night, was finally rewarded with a spectacular solo goal that resembled a lot like the one against Barcelona. Azpilicueta then committed the grave mistake of handling inside the penalty box, after his waving hand was caught by a wandering shot. Cardozo put away an inch perfect penalty as Cech went the wrong way.

Though Lampard hit the cross bar again, Branislav Ivanovic headed in from a corner in the 93rd minute, and it was all but decided that Chelsea were to be the first team that held both the major European trophies at the same time.