A goal from substitute Javier Hernandez ensured that Manchester United won by the odd goal in five to claim maximum points from their trip to Chelsea this evening.
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However, the encounter's main talking point will centre around the decision of referee Mark Clattenburg to send off two Chelsea players with the scores level at two goals each.
Visiting United began the match the brighter of the two teams and found themselves two goals to the good within the opening 12 minutes. First David Luiz put through his own net after Robin van Persie's shot had rebounded against the post, then Van Persie slotted past Petr Cech from the centre of the penalty area following a cross by Antonio Valencia.
Having fallen behind so early, hosting Chelsea began to commit more players forward and created numerous chances as a result.
It looked as though United had kept them out heading into the break until Juan Mata halved the deficit when he curled in a free kick from the edge of the area with one minute of the half left.
Chelsea started the second half how they ended the first and got their reward with 53 minutes played when Ramires rose above Tom Cleverley to head past David de Gea.
© PA Photos
Clattenburg then took centre stage when he dismissed Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres in the space of six minutes. Defender Ivanovic was red carded for denying Ashley Young a goalscoring opportunity in the 62nd minute, before Torres was handed his second yellow card of the game for simulation.
The Red Devils eventually made their numerical advantage count 15 minutes from time. Cech got down to deny a low shot from Van Persie, but the danger was only cleared to United full-back Rafael, who drilled the ball across goal for Hernandez to turn in from close range.
Valenica had the chance to seal the victory in stoppage time, but he dragged his shot well wide of goal having beaten the Chelsea offside trap.
Liam Apicella
