text: Chelsea took a giant step towards the Premier League title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Manchester United. Eden Hazard's sublime strike in the 38th minute proved crucial as Jose Mourinho's side extended their lead at the top of the standings. Here, Sportsmail's Oliver Todd rates the players' performances at Stamford Bridge. Branislav Ivanovic had a tough afternoon marking Marouane Fellaini (left) but he did well in the air throughout . CHELSEA (4-2-3-1) THIBAUT COURTOIS 6 - While United dominated, not much to do. Almost slipped up when he dropped a difficult cross. BRANISLAV IVANOVIC 6- Tough afternoon trying to get close to Fellaini but did well every time the ball came into the box in the air. Booked. GARY CAHILL 6.5 - Vital block from Falcao at close range. Almost ruined the whole effort with late tackle on Herrera that could have been a penalty. JOHN TERRY 7 - Strong up against Falcao and gave the striker no room to manoeuvre. Marshalled a backline that held its nerve. Cesc Fabregas (right) had a quiet afternoon for Jose Mourinho's side . CESAR AZPILICUETA 6 - Little to do down the left as United focused on the other flank, almost set up Hazard for a second. KURT ZOUMA 5.5 - Outplayed in midfield as United took early initiative and couldn’t get into the game. Mourinho will say he did his job. NEMANJA MATIC 7 - Back at his commanding best in second half after poor opening period. Coped well against Fellaini. OSCAR 8 - Brilliant back-heeled assist for the goal. Struggled from the start but grew into the game and proved decisive at both ends. Booked. Oscar puts in a strong tackle on United defender Paddy McNair during the first-half . CESC FABREGAS 6 - Better with the ball than without it and as United dominated possession he found game passing him by. EDEN HAZARD 8.5 - Made the difference in a big game again. Constant outlet for Chelsea midfield and slotted between De Gea’s legs for goal. Eden Hazard fires through David De Gea's legs for the decisive goal in the first-half at Stamford Bridge . DIDIER DROGBA 5 -Worked hard but that lost yard of pace cost him a lot of the time. Running battles with Smalling and McNair. Booked. SUBS . RAMIRES (67, for OSCAR) 6 - Came on to act as a runner from midfield but didn’t really work as planned. JOHN OBI MIKEL (90, for FABREGAS) WILLIAN (90, for HAZARD) Veteran forward Didier Drogba worked hard against United but has lost a yard of pace . MANAGER: JOSE MOURINHO 7 - It wasn’t pretty but he found a way to stop United, a task which many others have tried and failed with in recent weeks. Unused subs: Cech, Luis, Cuadrado, Solanke. De Gea did not have the busiest day in London but could have been sent off for handling outside the box . MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3) DAVID DE GEA 6.5 - Little to do as Chelsea were happy to wait for their opportunities. Could have been sent off for handling outside the box. ANTONIO VALENCIA 6 - Strong up against Hazard but it’s very difficult to stop the Player of the Year certainty in this kind of mood. CHRIS SMALLING 6.5 - The senior centre back, looked calm and continued his recent good form under Van Gaal’s guidance. United left back Luke Shaw (right) tussles with Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic . PADDY MCNAIR 6.5 - Given plenty of room and was allowed to play out from the back. Twice tested Courtois from distance. LUKE SHAW 7 - Great penetrative work early on and his cut-back should have set up Rooney for an opener. Every bit as penetrative as Blind. WAYNE ROONEY 6 - Back in midfield, and it blunted his influence. Missed an excellent chance in the opening exchanges and should have scored. ANDER HERRERA 7.5 - Dictated from deep, excellent as United took initiative. Booked for diving in stoppage time as he hooked his leg on Cahill's. Wayne Rooney's attacking influence was blunted by his midfield role against Chelsea . MAROUANE FELLAINI 6.5 - Always a presence but Chelsea doubled up on United’s unorthodox dangerman to stop the threat. JUAN MATA 5 - Set-piece delivery rarely found its intended target and game passed him by a little as United focused attacks down the left. RADAMEL FALCAO 4 - Bullied out of the game by Terry. This isn’t the striker that terrorised Chelsea in Monaco in 2012. Hit the post late on. United's struggling striker Radamel Falcao endured a tough day at the office against Chelsea . ASHLEY YOUNG 5.5 - Worked well but couldn’t match his exploits of late and was withdrawn as United looked for an equaliser. SUBS . ANGEL DI MARIA (70, for YOUNG) 6 - Almost set up a chance down the left but tough to break down Chelsea. ADNAN JANUZAJ (70, for MATA) 5 - Little impact after replacing equally ineffective Mata. TYLER BLACKETT (80, for SHAW) MANAGER: LOUIS VAN GAAL 6 - His side started confidently and strongly but he couldn’t find a way past Chelsea. Yet to beat his student Mourinho. Unused subs: Valdes, Rafael, Van Persie, Pereira. REFEREE: MIKE DEAN 6 - Huge call at the end to deny Herrera penalty. Just about right. De Gea handball was missed but difficult to judge from a distance. ATTENDANCE: 41,422 . MOTM: EDEN HAZARD.
target: Chelsea sealed a 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge .
  Eden Hazard struck in the 38th minute after a storming run into the box .
  John Terry marshalled the Chelsea defensive line superbly .
  Wayne Rooney's midfield role blunted his influence .
  Radamel Falcao struggled to cope with Terry all afternoon .