Claudio Ranieri dropped Damien Duff to the bench as second-place Chelsea squared up to Manchester United in third knowing their status as genuine title contenders was riding on the result.
Ranieri, without former United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron due to a back strain, surprisingly dropped the Republic of Ireland winger, preferring Cole and Geremi in midfield.
Alex Ferguson restored skipper Roy Keane to his side after the midfielder recovered from his hamstring problem.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Terry, Gallas, Bridge, Geremi, Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Crespo, Mutu. Subs: Desailly, Hasselbaink, Duff, Gronkjaer, Ambrosio.
Man Utd: Howard, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Fortune, O'Shea, Silvestre, Giggs, Keane, Phil Neville, Forlan, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Ronaldo, Butt, Bellion, Carroll, Kleberson.
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)