On this day: Chelsea and Man Utd serve up spook-tacular cup tie

With Wednesday’s 5-5 thriller at Anfield fresh in our minds, we look back on another high-scoring EFL Cup tie featuring Chelsea and Man Utd in 2012. The League Cup, often looked down upon by fans of the big clubs, has a history of serving up entertaining encounters, as demonstrated by Liverpool’s 5-5 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday.
On the same night, Manchester United were getting the better of Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, a superb Marcus Rashford free-kick proving the difference as they marched into the quarter-finals. Seven years ago, it was a very different story as the Blues and Red Devils shared nine goals in an error-strewn encounter.
Halloween night was the date for this particular thriller, where the only thing frightening was some of the defending on show.
Sir Alex Ferguson paired a young Michael Keane with Scott Wootton at the heart of United’s defence and ultimately paid the price as two costly mistakes by now-Plymouth defender Wootton cost his side.
Chelsea’s line-up had a more familiar look to it with Daniel Sturridge leading the line and Gary Cahill and David Luiz the two centre-halves.
Despite a more experienced line-up, Chelsea gifted the visitors the lead, Ryan Giggs rattling in the opener before Luiz responded with a penalty.
The reigning European champions fell behind again though after another mix-up at the back, Javier Hernandez slotting past Petr Cech after Luiz had lost possession.
Cahill restored parity with his fifth goal of the season seven minutes after the restart but they weren’t level for long on a wet and windy night in west London, Nani finishing off a fine team move to put United 3-2 ahead.
With Ferguson’s side edging into the quarter-finals, a clumsy challenge by Wotton on Ramires in the 93rd minute handed Roberto Di Matteo’s side the chance to send the game to extra-time. Up stepped Eden Hazard to set up an enthralling extra half an hour.
Another error by Wootton set up Sturridge as the Blues went ahead for the first time on the night and with four minutes left of extra-time, Ramires wrapped up the win after some scintillating play by Hazard.
There was still time for one more goal, Giggs converting the third penalty of the night after Cesar Azpilicueta was penalised for handling the ball in the box as United had the final word.
The 5-4 win for Chelsea set up a quarter-final meeting against Leeds, the capital club battering the Whites 5-1 before being eliminated by eventual League Cup winners Swansea in the semi-finals.
The victory was to be one of the last Di Matteo enjoyed as Chelsea head coach, the Italian getting the sack in November with Rafael Benitez arriving to replace him and guiding the Blues to Europa League glory.
United would exit both the League Cup and FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea that season but didn’t end the campaign empty handed as they clinched the Premier League title in Ferguson’s final year at the helm.