Manchester United ended their 10-year wait for a Barclays Premier
League win away to Chelsea with a 3-2 victory that cut their opponents' lead at the top to one point.
Referee Mark Clattenburg sent off Fernando Torres for simulation after
Chelsea had fought back from a David Luiz own goal and Robin van Persie's ninth goal of the season to equalise through Juan Mata and Ramires. Branislav Ivanovic also saw red five
minutes before Torres, who received a second yellow card
United got off to a flying start and took the lead within four minutes.
Chelsea lost possession and Van
Persie crashed a shot against the
woodwork with the ball rebounding in
off David Luiz.
The visitors were soon two-up. Rio
Ferdinand ambled out of defence and
found Rafael Da Silva, who fed Luis
Antonio Valencia, with the winger's
low cross swept home by Van Persie.
The European champions started to
pose a threat to United midway
through the half. United goalkeeper
David De Gea was forced to save David
Luiz's brutal free-kick with his legs
before keeping out Gary Cahill's
header.
But the United goalkeeper could do
nothing when Wayne Rooney
upended Eden Hazard a minute from
half-time and Mata stepped up to curl
a free-kick into the corner. Mata
almost equalised moments later but
De Gea saved his shot.
Chelsea needed only seven minutes of
the second half to level as Mata
showed sublime control to keep
Oscar's ball in play, allowing the
Brazilian to cross again for Ramires to
head home.
The momentum looked to be with
Chelsea but things changed when
Ivanovic and Torres were sent off in
the space of five minutes. Ivanovic
was dismissed for bringing down
Ashley Young, who had been played
through by Van Persie.
Chelsea were about to bring on Daniel
Sturridge for Torres but the striker
joined Ivanovic in the dressing room
when he was shown a second yellow
for diving over Evans' challenge.
Ryan Bertrand joined the fray instead
of Sturridge but could not prevent
Hernandez snatching the winner 15
minutes from time. Petr Cech tipped
Van Persie's shot onto a post but
Rafael followed up and Hernandez
turned the ball home
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