Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea: Report, result and goals as Red Devils claim much-needed win
The game was chaotic from start to finish with both sides having a man sent off.
Old Trafford witnessed a dramatic and rain-soaked encounter that had just about everything – early controversy, red cards, momentum swings, and late drama – as Manchester United edged Chelsea 2-1 in one of the most chaotic fixtures of the Premier League season so far.
The match burst into life within just five minutes. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, attempting to rush out and deal with Bryan Mbeumo’s run in behind, clattered into the winger outside the box and was shown a straight red card by referee Peter Bankes.
It left Enzo Maresca scrambling, sacrificing Estevao and later Pedro Neto to bring on replacement goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Chelsea initially showed resilience, but the breakthrough came on 14 minutes, as Bruno Fernandes marked his 200th Manchester United appearance with his 100th goal for the club.
Patrick Dorgu rose highest at the back post to nod a header towards goal, and Fernandes stole in to redirect the ball past Jorgensen, sparking jubilation around Old Trafford.
The visitors were rattled and United took full control. Chances for Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo followed, before the lead was doubled in the 37th minute.
From a scrappy sequence after a corner, Harry Maguire kept the ball alive with a clever header across goal, and Casemiro bundled home from close range to make it 2-0.
For the Brazilian, however, the evening would take a sour twist. Already booked, he foolishly hauled down Andrey Santos in first-half stoppage time and was dismissed for a second yellow card.
United’s man advantage was gone, and both sides went into the break with ten men apiece.
The second half became a battle of control. Chelsea enjoyed more possession, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez trying to dictate from midfield, but they struggled to turn territory into clear chances.
United, meanwhile, reshaped under Ruben Amorim, introducing Manuel Ugarte and later Mason Mount to shore things up.
As the rain continued to pour, Chelsea pushed forward. Joao Pedro spurned a huge chance on 62 minutes when Matthijs de Ligt produced a heroic last-ditch clearance, before Wesley Fofana’s close-range strike from a corner was ruled out for offside.
The Blues eventually found a lifeline with 10 minutes to play: Reece James, excellent down the right throughout, delivered a pinpoint cross from a short corner for Trevoh Chalobah, who rose unmarked to head home.
With the score at 2-1, Old Trafford grew tense. Chelsea threw everything forward in stoppage time, forcing Altay Bayindir into a nervy punch that fell to Malo Gusto, only for the follow-up to be blocked in a frantic goalmouth scramble.
United, roared on by their supporters, dug deep and clung onto all three points.
The result extends Manchester United’s long unbeaten home run against Chelsea in the league, stretching back to 2013. For Amorim’s side, Fernandes’ milestone and Casemiro’s mixed evening will dominate the headlines, but victory felt vital to keep momentum alive.