Harry Maguire scores as Manchester United win at Chelsea – but Red Devils captain avoids red card for kick on Michy Batshuayi
Manchester United breathed new life into their quest for Champions League football with a very useful 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Headers from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire secured the win, although the Red Devils captain arguably shouldn't have been on the pitch to score his goal.
Maguire was fortunate to escape being sent off in the first half for kicking out at Chelsea frontman Michy Batshuyai.
Meanwhile, Chelsea had two goals in the second half disallowed following VAR checks on a night where the hosts will feel very aggrieved.
The result sees Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men go just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and following UEFA's ruling to ban Manchester City from European competitions in the next two seasons, just two points off Tottenham, who have the final Champions League spot in fifth.
Man United legend Roy Keane said the visitors needed to win if they have any ambitions to qualify for next season's Champions League.
And Solskjaer's men responded with a professional display in west London, but they did get some luck on the way.
Chelsea started the better and almost took the lead inside the first six minutes when Reece James' shot whistled just wide of the post.
Referee Anthony Taylor then had a decision to make with just after 20 minutes on the clock with as Maguire clashed with Batshuayi, who was in for the injured Tammy Abraham.
Maguire won a 50-50 ball but slid off the field of play. Batshuayi's momentum carried him towards the England player and Maguire appeared to kick out at the Belgian.
Taylor didn't even give Maguire a yellow card, although the likes of Keane and Jamie Carragher believe the Man United skipper got away with it.
Willian was then given a yellow card for simulation although it looked like Bruno Fernandes had slightly tripped the Chelsea winger just outside the box.
And then the visitors who drew first blood with Martial's glancing header on the stroke of half time, the forward getting in front of Andreas Christensen and putting Aaron Wan-Bissaka's inviting cross beyond the despairing Willy Caballero.
Frank Lampard's side came rushing out the blocks in the second half and thought they were level when Kurt Zouma volleyed home a corner from the right. The goal was disallowed by VAR though, which spotted a foul on Red Devils youngster Brandon Williams by Cesar Azpilicueta.
And to add insult to injury, Chelsea found themselves two-down with Maguire, who arguably shouldn't have been on the pitch, heading home Bruno Fernandes' pinpoint corner.
Maguire's centre-back partner, Eric Bailly then made an excellent last ditch challenge to deny Mateo Kovacic but couldn't do anything to stop Olivier Giroud heading the ball in.
But VAR came to Man United's rescue again as the Frenchman was offside by a foot and the goal was chalked off.
Odion Ighalo came on during the closing stages to make his Man United debut and nearly opened his goalscoring account but his effort was saved by Caballero. However, it mattered not as Man United won the game.