League Cup theatrics from Chelsea, Manchester United bring focus back to the field

Nothing was going to top yesterday’s theatrics in Reading, but it was shocking to see how close Chelsea and Manchester United came. Nine goals, a second half stoppage time equalizer, three extra time goals, and the backdrop of Sunday’s controversies provided another memorable League Cup tie, Chelsea advancing after a 5-4 victory over United.

The Blues came into today’s match looking to recover from Sunday’s loss, where they were reduced to nine men after Fernando Torres’s disputed dismissal. That Javier Hernández’s game-winner should have been waved off only heightened the acrimony at Stamford Bridge, with allegations against Mark Clattenburg ultimately overshadowing one of the league’s showcase matches.

Wednesday made up for it, something that was foreshadowed when we saw the teamsheets. With both sides making major changed from Sunday, the Premier League titans got to display their awesome depth. United was able to start an attack of Hernández, Nani, and Danny Welbeck – all starters from prominent national teams (Mexico, Portugal, England), none of whom were in this weekend’s starting XI. Chelsea introduced Daniel Sturridge, Victor Moses, Oriel Romeu and Cesar Azpilicueta, players would start for most Premier League teams.

That quality didn’t show in the defenses’ play, even if Chelsea returned Sunday’s pair (David Luiz and Gary Cahill) to their starting XI. The teams combined to concede three penalties admit a handful of other careless errors. Romeu was caught on the ball in the 22nd minute ahead of Ryan Giggs’ opening goal. Alex Buttner took down Moses to allow Luiz to equalize from the spot. Cavalier play from Luiz exposed Chelsea’s defense, allowing Hernández to make it 2-1. Scott Wootton conceded a penalty seconds from time to allow Eden Hazard to send equalize, while a poor headed backpass from the 21-year-old United defender allowed Sturridge to score the first of extra time.

Over 210 minutes (between Sunday and Wednesday), Chelsea and United provided 14 goals, 81 shots (32 on target), three penalty kicks, two red cards, an own goal and an all caps, leon light reminder that for whatever other issues England’s game has (and they don’t seem to stop), the product on the field remains amazing. Chelsea move into the quarterfainls.