Javier Hernández's double to defeat Braga in the Champions League was a timely reminder to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson of the Mexican's match-winning prowess.
Hernández nodded in the winner to complete another United comeback after the Red Devils had fallen two goals behind, but what was most impressive about the Mexican was how he complemented the goals with an excellent performance notable for his play outside the 18-yard box.
The 24-year-old's poaching instincts have rarely been questioned but Hernández's control and retention of the ball has been erratic over the last year as he succumbed to the contagious second season syndrome. Yet in that second campaign Hernández earned United 12 points in the Premier League through winners and equalisers, three more than his superior, 20-goal debut campaign.
Chicho at Chelsea? Hernández was man of the match against Braga
On Tuesday night he gave perhaps his best performance in a red shirt, coming in a week when United face one team who have struggled to stymie the Mexico international's effect.
Hernández has scored four times past Chelsea in six games after his auspicious yet jammy debut goal against them in the 2010 Community Shield.
It would be understandable if Gary Cahill and David Luíz aired their hope he wouldn't start on Sunday. When Hernández arrived as a 53rd minute substitute at Chelsea in February United were 3-0 down. The game ended 3-3 with Hernández nodding in the equaliser and Ferguson confessing after the match he should have started him.
Luíz has struggled with Hernández since he resorted to cynical off-the-ball fouls when Chelsea hosted United in March 2011. Hernández got his revenge when he humiliated the Brazilian after 36 seconds in the antepenultimate match of United's title-winning campaign two months later.
With Wayne Rooney withdrawing into a deeper role and Shinji Kagawa's twisted knee likely to keep him out, Hernández could enjoy the support of the Croxteth attacker and Robin van Persie. Although his impact as a substitute earlier in the year will doubtless have a bearing on the unpredictable Ferguson's selection.
But United cannot afford another false start. Braga became the eighth team to take the lead first against them this season and the two teams who have gone on to defeat United after leading are Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, who both sit in the top five of the Premier League table. Chelsea are first and a win will leave United seven points adrift of the summit.