Manchester United earned a much-needed 2-1 win against Chelsea in a chaotic Premier League clash where both sides had a player sent off.
After Robert Sanchez was sent for an early bath, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro fired the Red Devils ahead, but a red card for the Brazilian and a late Trevoh Chalobah goal made the win far more nervy then it needed to be.
While Chelsea were looking to continue their unbeaten start in the league at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim was desperate for a win with his job in the balance.
The head coach would have been thanking his lucky stars then, when Sanchez wiped out Bryan Mbeumo on the edge of the box, leaving Peter Bankes no choice but to send the goalkeeper off after just five minutes.
United put their foot on the gas and duly punished the visitors when captain Fernandes – playing his 200th match for the club – poked in the opener past Filip Jorgensen.
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Maresca wasn’t afraid to roll the dice, quickly hauling off forward Pedro Neto for Tosin Adarabioyo after the red card, before Cole Palmer was surprisingly subbed for Andre Santos.
The changes didn’t work initially as United continued to control the play before Casemiro doubled their lead from a corner situation, with the home side on course for a certain victory.
But that changed on the stroke of half-time as Casemiro was shown a silly second yellow card for bringing down an attacking Santos, allowing the Blues back into the game.
But while they were able to enjoy more possession, the away side struggled to generate chances of note and when Wesley Fofana did find the back of the net from a corner, it was immediately ruled out for a clear offside.
Many expected and perhaps wanted to see Alejandro Garnacho go up against his former club just three weeks after leaving Old Trafford, but Maresca left him on the bench.
In the end, Chelsea did pull a goal back in the 82nd minute when Chalobah powered in Reece James’ cross – the Blues’ first shot on target – setting up a tense, final few minutes.
But United held on to give Amorim some breathing space and deal another early blow to Chelsea’s title aspirations.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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Premier League table
Right, now that I’ve caught my breath, let’s see what that’s done to the Premier League table.
United move up to ninth – just one point behind Chelsea in sixth.
The Blues now trail leaders Liverpool by seven points, with the Reds and Crystal Palace the only unbeaten sides left – and wouldn’t you know it, they play each other next Saturday!
Full-time! Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
There’s the whistle!
A much-needed win for Man Utd and Chelsea’s unbeaten start is over!
90+7 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
James slips and United counter but with tired legs they can’t move too quickly.
In the end Mount wins an easy free-kick and gets Tosin booked.
Seconds left…
90+5 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
So nearly a costly mistake from Bayindir who can’t old James’ low cross but his teammates block the follow up shots.
Chelsea now have a corner…
90 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
SEVEN minutes added on.
Fergie time anyone?
88 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
One last change. Fernandes is off and Mainoo is on.
84 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
So close from Fernandes!
He wins the ball off James and surges forward in space. He unleashes a fierce shot but Jorgensen is able to tip it wide!
82 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
Following a corner, James does what he does best and whip in a great cross which Chalobah powers into the back of the net.
Yoro lost his man and United are made to pay. Can Chelsea find an equaliser!
Goal! Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea (Chalobah)
Hello, hello, here we go!
76 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez is on a yellow and needs to be careful as he joins a tussle between the players after Caicedo fouls Fernandes.
From the set-piece, Amad tries a spectacular bicycle kick and gets it all wrong.
70 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Two more changes for United as Mount and Yoro come on. A couple of jeers from the away end for the midfielder.
Mbeumo and Maguire make way.
67 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Meanwhile Maresca has made his final two subs.
George and Taste Come on for Fofana and Cucurella.
So for all the hype, Garnacho will NOT make an appearance against his former club.
65 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Commentators curse as Chelsea score!
But it’s a mile offside. The corner is flicked on for Fofana who heads in from close range but the flag is up immediately.
Mbeumo was going to come off for Cunha but Amorim has changed his mind and Mazraoui is off instead.
63 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Chelsea have had more of the ball this half but having subbed off Estevao, Neto and Palmer there’s little in the way of creativity.
James makes a rare burst forward and wins a corner.
55 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Santos wins a foul in the middle of the pitch after Maguire grazes his face with his arm. Soft.
He even gets some medical attention. Very soft.
51 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
You get a yellow card, and you get a yellow card…
Chalobah is booked for a late one on Amad and United have a promising free-kick… Fernandes can’t find anyone
49 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
Starting as we finished, we have a yellow card.
Fernandez is in the book for a studs up challenge on Ugarte
Second-half kick-off! Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
After a bit of a delay, we’re back underway.
The referee was making sure all the ball boys and balls were in place.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim has made a change to fill the gap left by Casemiro. Ugarte is on for Sesko.
Half-time! Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
And breathe…
An utterly chaotic first-half of football is brought to an end with Chelsea on top now that the playing field has been levelled.
Replays suggest it’s a tad harsh on Casemiro. Maresca was also booked for dissent – I guess he was celebrating a bit too enthusiastically.
45+6 mins: Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
A second yellow card for Casemiro as he holds back an attacking Santos before the Chelsea player goes down.
Both sides down to 10-men on the verge of half-time!
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