Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over 10-man Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer scoring his 50th Premier League goal to seal the win.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the 50th minute, and Palmer converted a penalty in the 64th minute following a VAR review.
The defeat left Manchester United winless in nine consecutive matches across all competitions, their worst streak since 1988, and increased pressure on manager Michael Carrick. Chelsea rose to fourth place in the Premier League standings, while Manchester United remained 16th.
The match took a decisive turn when United’s Lisandro Martinez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. The defender had been booked earlier for pulling back Rogers and was shown the second after lunging at Wesley Fofana with his forearm during a set-piece. Referee Peter Bankes initially did not award a foul but overturned his decision following an on-field VAR review, resulting in the penalty that Palmer converted.
The game featured several chances before the opening goal. Chelsea winger Estevao had an early goal disallowed, while returning United captain Bruno Fernandes missed a chance after connecting with Bryan Mbeumo’s cross. Matheus Cunha also scored from Harry Maguire’s header, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
United continued to apply pressure, with Amad firing over following an error by Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana. Chelsea’s Pedro Neto also missed a chance after a Maguire mistake. Five minutes after the interval, Rogers made a decisive run through the United midfield and defence before chipping the ball over goalkeeper Senne Lammens to put Chelsea ahead.
Estevao appeared to extend Chelsea’s lead in the 71st minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside after VAR intervention. In stoppage time, Mbeumo struck the crossbar as United sought a way back into the match, but Chelsea maintained their clean sheet and secured all three points.
This victory allowed Chelsea to return to winning ways following their Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and their midweek EFL Cup exit against Liverpool.