Man Utd v Chelsea was undoubtedly the EPLs game of the week, which meant for a lot of us it was on at the hated time of 1am Monday morning. Its times like these that I glance westwards jealously and think how lucky the good people of WA are to get what might resemble a half-decent sleep. This lasts as long as mid-week Champions League matches and I realise that they get stiffed for a good sleep also.

With an Old Firm match kicking off at 9.30pm followed by Spurs v Liverpool or Fulham v Man City or Sunderland v Stoke (if youre so inclined) there was no chance of an early night with a 1am alarm call.<!--more-->

It was a chance to see United take on a Chelsea side that have been their main challengers for a few years now. It was also an opportunity to see if Chelsea - under the new management of Andre Villa-Boas (AVB) and Roberto Di Matteo - have what it takes to challenge United this year. Torres, the 80 million dollar man, with one goal in 23 games for Chelsea, started as the main striker. While at the other end all eyes were on Rooney and his diminutive side-kick Chicharito.

Rooney with eight goals from four games in the league this year, added goal number nine before the half-time interval. This was preceded by a Smalling goal - that was actually marginally offside - and an absolute screamer from Nani.

There were defensive mistakes for all three goals which would have been unthinkable for Chelsea only a year ago, and it now leaves Chelsea with only one clean sheet from five games.

It wasnt just in defense that mistakes were made though. Ramirez missed an absolute sitter in front of goal that led to De Gea making a save that although was outstanding, he should never have been given the opportunity to make it in the first place.

Then there was Torres who had as good a game as weve seen from him in a Chelsea shirt. Unfortunately for him, after scoring a lovely goal that gave Chelsea the merest sniff of a comeback, he produced one of the worst misses of all time. After rounding De Gea he snatched at the ball in front of the open goal and put it past the post. An absolute shocker.

Rooney had a fantastic opportunity for a tenth goal of the season with a penalty. It was a hilarious attempt that was reminiscent of John Terrys penalty against United in the Champions League a few years ago, as he slipped just as he was about to shoot and sent his effort high and wide!

It was an entertaining game all round that suggests if -and its a big "if"-Torres can reclaim the form of two years ago and Chelsea cut out the defensive mistakes, then they can challenge for the title.

As for United, theyve scored 21 goals in five games now and Rooney is in blistering form. He is their main player by far and for as long as hes fit then there is a fair chance theyll score more than their opponents. Down back Chelsea had 20 shots on target and theres signs that Uniteds defense isnt as strong as it should be, especially with Vidic missing. Its a very young defense and absolutely their weakest link and until Jones, Smalling, Rafael (injured just now), Fabio and De Gea gain more experience its a position that can be exploited by opponents.