By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Stamford Bridge

Manchester United closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to one point after Javier Hernandez’s late winner gave them a hotly contested win over nine-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

David Luiz’s own goal and Robin van Persie’s clinical finish gave Manchester United a two-goal lead early on, but leaders Chelsea fought back superbly to level with goals from Juan Mata and Ramires either side of the interval.

A pulsating game then turned on two red cards awarded against Chelsea in the space of five minutes that set the scene for substitute Hernandez to secure the three points for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

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Hernandez gamble worked – Ferguson

Chelsea had few complaints about Branislav Ivanovic’s red card for fouling Ashley Young as he raced through, but the dismissal of Fernando Torres for diving was bitterly disputed by the home side – and they looked to have a case.

The Spaniard appeared to be caught by Reds defender Jonny Evans but referee Mark Clattenburg ruled he had dived and produced a second yellow card, to the obvious astonishment of Torres and the undisguised fury of Chelsea.

Substitute Hernandez then smuggled in a winner from close range but it was converted from an offside position to leave Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo nursing a burning sense of injustice.

Objects were thrown and a steward injured as United’s players celebrated – a sad conclusion to a thrilling game that ended in Chelsea’s first Premier League defeat of the season.

Van Persie scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 5-3 win on his last visit to Stamford Bridge, and he was the central figure as United stunned Chelsea with a devastating opening burst.

Ferguson ditched the diamond formation he has used recently and gave United natural width in the shape of the returning Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young. It yielded spectacular results early on.

Young’s pace allowed him to play in Wayne Rooney and when the England forward pulled the ball back Van Persie’s shot ended up in the back of the net via the upright and Luiz.

And before Chelsea could recover United doubled their lead as Valencia once again demonstrated his value with a fine run and cross for Van Persie to sweep a finish past Petr Cech.

It was to Chelsea’s credit that they managed to clear their heads and find a route back into the game. United goalkeeper David de Gea resorted to the unorthodox to kick away Luiz’s free kick and Evans deflected Jon Obi Mikel’s cross on to a post with De Gea wrong-footed.

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Referee got it wrong – Di Matteo

Chelsea deserved some reward and it came on the stroke of half-time. Rooney was booked for hauling down Eden Hazard and Mata curled home a superb free-kick.

Mata was then denied once more by the excellent De Gea but Chelsea had all the momentum and they were back on level terms after 53 minutes when Ramires rose above Tom Cleverley to equalise.

The game was balanced perfectly but it shifted decisively towards United when Chelsea lost two players to red cards just after the hour. Ivanovic was sent off for tripping Young as he raced on to Van Persie’s pass then, far more contentiously, Torres was also dismissed for picking up a second yellow card for diving.

Torres was arguably fortunate to escape a red card when he was booked for a high challenge on Cleverley but felt he had been hard done by after falling following Evans’s challenge.

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Hernandez happy with scoring form

It was a huge call by Clattenburg because it looked like Torres had been caught by Evans, but the referee was convinced the striker had dived. Chelsea’s backroom staff were furious and angry words were exchanged between Ferguson and his opposite numbers as the heated debate continued.

Chelsea’s depleted numbers were always going to be in danger. And so it proved as United went ahead with 15 minutes remaining. Van Persie’s shot was blocked by the feet of Cech but when Rafael returned the ball into the six-yard area Hernandez turned in from an offside position.

United’s players celebrated in a corner of Stamford Bridge but they were met by furious scenes, with objects appearing to be thrown and a steward requiring lengthy treatment.

Ferguson’s side closed out the win to move within striking range of Chelsea at the Premier League summit but the jeers directed at Clattenburg as he left the pitch at the final whistle demonstrated the strength of feeling inside Stamford Bridge. 

(BBC Glasgow)

Chelsea have made a formal complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg after accusing him of using “inappropriate language” towards two of their players in the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United.

Part of the allegation is that Clattenburg used racial language, BBC Sport has learned.

It is also understood midfielder John Mikel Obi is involved in the complaint.

“We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate,” said a Chelsea spokesman.

“The match delegate will pass the complaint to the Football Association.”

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Referee got it wrong – Di Matteo

Referees’ organisation Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) later issued a statement which read: “PGMO is aware of the allegations and they are being treated with the utmost seriousness.

“Mark will co-operate fully and welcomes the opportunity for the facts to be established.”

All four officials – the referee, his two assistants and the fourth official – wear microphones and ear pieces that allow them to hear what each other is saying throughout the match, although it is not recorded.

The news that Chelsea made the complaint rounded off a dramatic day which saw the Blues lose their unbeaten Premier League record after Javier Hernandez struck a controversial winner 15 minutes from time.

Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres were shown red cards in the space of five minutes, with the latter’s second yellow card for diving disputed by Chelsea.

Torres was sent off in the 68th minute after falling under a challenge from defender Jonny Evans.

Chelsea also felt aggrieved that Hernandez’s winner was allowed to stand, as television replays suggested he was marginally offside before converting Rafael Da Silva’s cross.

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Hernandez gamble worked – Ferguson

“It is a shame a game like this had to be decided in that manner by officials,” said Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo.

“Surely when the referee watches it he will realise he has made big mistakes.”

Durham-based Clattenburg, 37, is viewed by the PGMO as one of the country’s leading officials.

He regularly referees games in European competitions and was put in charge of the League Cup final in February and the Olympic final between Brazil and Mexico in August.

In 2009, he was suspended over allegations about his business dealings but Clattenburg appealed and returned to officiating after an eight-month ban.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will investigate reports that a steward was injured by objects thrown from the crowd at Stamford Bridge.

Hernandez appeared to be pelted as he celebrated scoring United’s winner in front of Chelsea fans in the Matthew Harding Stand.

(BBC Football) 

Chelsea are to investigate reports that a steward was injured by objects thrown from the crowd during the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Javier Hernandez appeared to be pelted as he celebrated scoring United’s winner in front of Chelsea fans in the Matthew Harding Stand.

After that, a steward required 10 minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital.

“We are investigating all the incidents around that time,” said a spokesman.

“We are looking at reports of objects that may have been thrown or incidents around the steward taking a fall.

“My information so far is that he slipped and fell, may have hurt his knee, and was being treated by the side of the pitch.”

(BBC Football) 

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