Ivanovic's sending off is just one of two red cards dished out in this match between Chelsea and Manchester United
Image retrieved from Daily Mail UK
Goals of the Game
Chelsea: Mata (44'), Ramires (53')
Manchester United: Luiz (4' OG), Van Persie (12'), Hernandez (75')
All the previews pointed to this game to be a classic one, but what started out as a great clash of titans turned into a cauldron of controversy, with referee Mark Clattenburg dishing out two red cards that left Chelsea with nine men and almost zero hope of winning what could've been anyone's.
The first half was all it was hyped to be. Chelsea were proving to be lacking something in the morale department, as their mid-week Champions League loss to Shaktar Donetsk appeared to be haunting them. It was Robin van Persie's chip towards goal that had the ball come in contact with David Luiz, further sending the ball into the back of the net. The prolific dutch goalscorer would soon extend United's lead to two, as he launches forth a screamer at the 12th minute. United appeared to be well in the driver's seat until Rooney made a rash tackle on Hazard. Chelsea's magic man Mata would soon deliver a cool-cruising free kick straight on goal, with de Gea having no chance. It was game on as the teams head towards half-time.
The second-half started where the first half ended. Chelsea are now in the full offense, with United looking like the Chelsea of last season, almost doing a 10-0-0 formation. United's great first-half showing was nowhere to be seen, and wonderful exchanges inside the box from Oscar, Mata and Hazard lead to the Blues equalizing through a Ramires header.
Ramires' equalizing header goes beyond De Gea's reach
Image retrieved from Daily Mail UK
Then the bedlam begins.
It all begins when United regain control of the ball. Ashley Young has a clear run towards Cech's net when Ivanovic nudges Young from behind. the United winger falls, and referee Mark Clattenburg had to give a straight red. There was simply no way around it. A few minutes later, it was Torres who gets felled, this time by Evans. The sound of a whistle, every body thought it was a free kick, but Clattenburg thought differently. He gives the Spaniard striker a second yellow, this time for diving. Torres is sent off and the Blues are down to nine men.
Sir Alex simply had to capitalize. He brings on Chicharito, who nets the win on rebound of a Robin Van Persie turnabout goal from the edge of the box. The night ends with United winning 3-2 at Stamford Bridge from the first time since April 2002, amidst furious boos from the Chelsea faithful.
Chicharito Hernandez celebrates his goal that gave United the win
Image retrieved from Daily Mail UK
It's hard to analyze a game that was, in some ways, ruined by some whimsical and rather contentious technicality. However, the first hour or so showed a lot of things to be pointed out.
United's man of the match, if the first seventy minutes of 'legitimate' game is to be taken into consideration, is Robin van Persie. All goals for United in this match had his name on it. He caused the Luiz OG, he drove home a second, and it was his shot that lead to a rebound Chicharito goal, who was arguably offside.
United proved strong in the first half, with Rooney playing a deeper role. If only we stayed consistent on the form, then we could've ended the game sooner.
David de Gea is once again showing his unconvincing style of saving shots. He needs to collect with more certainty and closure to calm the United faithful.
In the end, a win is a win. Regardless of the result, it had to be a great night for United, who now sit just one point away from the top.
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