In our latest Chelsea vs. Man. Utd Classic Clashes piece, we recall a David Beckham-inspired FA Cup win for United at the Bridge.

By Dez Corkhill

Four days into 1998, and Chelsea suffered a football-lesson from a team that was just 16-months away from winning the Treble. It's always news when the defending FA Cup holders go out in the third round, but this was a Chelsea team squashed by a Manchester United performance that oozed quality.

Having already drawn twice during the season - in the season-opening Charity Shield and a League match at Old Trafford - Chelsea went into the contest with hopes high. Those hopes were destroyed by a brilliant David Beckham performance, and some ruthless finishing from Teddy Sheringham and Andy Cole.

Three up at half time thanks to a Beckham double, and one for Andy Cole, United humiliated the home team with further goals from Cole and Teddy Sheringham to take a five-goal advantage. It was a vintage performance. The game was wrapped up by the time Chelsea got on the score-sheet on 75 minutes. There was a bit of a scare as Graeme Le Saux and two Gianluca Vialli strikes brought Chelsea in sight of an unlikely comeback. In truth, though, this was the most one-sided 5-3 score line imaginable.

United's Cup run would end in the unlikely setting of Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium in a 5th Round replay. Arsenal would go onto to win a league and Cup double. But this was a warning shot across the bows for the rest of the League, and United's Treble-season was only a few months away.

As for Chelsea - 4th in the League - and they'd have to wait a little while longer before the arrival of Roman Abramovich's money enabled them to compete properly with United.