Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea: Blues bounce back to silence Benitez critics

Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney scored for the home side in the first half before substitute Eden Hazard and Ramires pulled the Londoners level after the break.

Smarting from their exit from the Champions League to Real Madrid last Tuesday, United came out all guns blazing from the opening whistle.

The opening goal was superbly crafted, created by Michael Carrick's angled ball from 35 yards out which found Hernandez inside the penalty area. His looping header floated over Gary Cahill and the onrushing Petr Cech as if it was in slow motion, eventually nestling in the back of the net.

United doubled their lead six minutes later when Nani won a free kick just outside the penalty area after he was tripped by Victor Moses.

After a week of unwanted headlines it was Rooney who stepped up to take the kick, the ball evading several players inside the box on its route to goal.

The England striker immediately turned to celebrate by holding his arms aloft in front of the fans in the Stretford End who had been chanting his name.

Chelsea's best chance so far came just after half-time when Ramires powered through the midfield, unleashing a drive effort that flew wide of David de Gea's left-hand post.

Interim Blues manager Rafa Benitez made a double substitution shortly after, replacing Frank Lampard and Victor Moses with John Obi Mikel and Hazard.

The decision infuriated the travelling fans, who chanted: "You don't know what you're doing" at the former Liverpool boss.

But his substitutions were vindicated when Hazard curled a peach of a shot past de Gea from 18 yards to halve the deficit.

And his side were level within 10 minutes when Ramires placed a shot of his own beyond the diving de Gea, who couldn't keep the ball out despite getting his fingertips to it.

Mata had the chance to win the game for Chelsea in the dying moments but his effort was superbly saved by the feet of de Gea, forcing a replay at Stamford Bridge.