CHELSEA suffered a nightmare 2-1 defeat at Manchester United after Robert Sanchez was sent off in the fourth minute.
Enzo Maresca‘s side had to play almost the entire match with 10 men following Sanchez’s disastrous foul on Bryan Mbeumo.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro set United on their way to victory.
But the Red Devils also found themselves reduced to 10 when Casemiro was sent off moments before the break.
Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea late on, yet the visitors could not find a way through for a second time.
Here, SunSport’s Katherine Walsh delivers her Chelsea player ratings…
Robert Sanchez – 0
What a disaster. A real night to forget.
The goalkeeper was sent off in the first five minutes after recklessly flying out of the box to plant his boot on Bryan Mbeumo’s knee who was chasing Benjamin Sesko’s looping header.
Clumsy and over-aggressive.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Was out-jumped by Sesko who flicked on Mbeumo’s run on goal before Sanchez was shown red.
Was one of SIX Chelsea players who went into Peter Bankes’ open book for a foul on Amad.
Minutes later the once ousted star made another big intervention to calm a United attack and pulled one back for the away side with a well-placed header, with seven headed clearances in total.
Reece James – 5
A mixed bag. James undid all his composed early work when he gifted United a second.
The England star’s last-ditch tackle on Patrick Dorgu stopped his side going 1-0 down in the first two minutes and he continued to work well with Fofana down to stop Amad at crucial points.
BUT, the defender soon fell into the trap of his team-mates as he scrambled to hoof Dorgu’s poor header in the air which Shaw headed down to Casemiro for 2-0.
From zero to hero, James got back into the away end’s good books again after his cross set up Chalobah’s header.
Marc Cucurella – 4
One of the main Chelsea players to show a bit of fight and edge but frequently came off second best in his battle with Bryan Mbuemo.
Hooked after the hour mark.
Wesley Fofana – 5
Won most of his first-half duels with United winger Amad Diallo.
Was miles offside from a close range header past Altay Bayindir.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
His South American no-nonsense attitude was in full force when he came to blows with Luke Shaw after United’s second.
Booked for a strong foul and lured Casemiro into his first booking. Dug deep to keep pushing for an equaliser that never came.
Moises Caicedo – 4
For all the noise around United’s poor midfield, the £115million star failed to dominate it.
Was one of those rocked by Sanchez’s early bath and couldn’t settle into his usual role. Was also beaten by Harry Maguire in the middle a few times. Fouled Fernandes in a dangerous crossing area.
Estevao – N/A
Brutal first visit to the Theatre of Dreams after Enzo Maresca was forced to replace him after Sanchez was given his marching orders.
Cole Palmer – 5
After scoring one in Munich midweek, Palmer also endured a horrible return to his home city after hobbling off injured with a suspected groin issue.
Palmer immediately suited up into his overhauls and headed for the tunnel, saying a quick ‘hello’ to England team-mate Kobbie Mainoo, who was warming up.
Pedro Neto – 5
Another winger who was sacrificed by Maresca after Sanchez went trudging down the tunnel.
Joao Pedro – 4
Some clever feet from deep were the only first-half highlights. Felt aggrieved when Bankes waved on from Matthijs De Ligt’s challenge.
Combustible and was at the centre of the fight for the better part of an hour. Ran out of steam. But couldn’t get a sniff up top.
SUBS
Filip Jorgensen (for Sanchez, 5) – 6
Would’ve been shocked to be called into action seconds after getting warm and comfy on the bench.
Couldn’t have done much with United’s close range goals. Incredible save at full-stretch to deny United a third which would’ve put the game to bed in the 82nd minute.
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Neto, 7) – 5
Headed across a Chelsea corner for Fofana’s disallowed goal. and was prepared to put a shift in although his side were rocked by the red card.
Andrey Santos (for Palmer, 21) – 6
Youngster was thrown into the deep end to replace Palmer inside 21 minutes. And he was arguably Chelsea’s strongest outlet from then on.
But the Brazilian youngster stood up to the challenge, outrageously turning De Ligt in the middle of the park after coming on.
Some nice pieces of skill put United under pressure.
George (for Cucurella, 64) – 4
Another player booked minutes after coming on for sliding into Bayindir.
Gusto (for Fofana, 64) – N/A
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