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Chelsea twice denied by VAR as Manchester United earn controversial win

AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Manchester United moved to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea after claiming their first League win at Stamford Bridge since 2012.

Goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire, who was lucky not to be sent off early on, sealed all three points for United, though Chelsea saw two goals chalked off after VAR reviews.

Lampard decided well before Monday night’s encounter to persist with 38-year-old Willy Caballero in goal, leaving the world’s most expensive goalkeeper Kepa amongst the substitutes for a second consecutive game.

The Chelsea boss was also without top scorer Tammy Abraham, the England international unable to shake an ankle injury which persisted throughout the winter break, and Callum Hudson-Odoi who suffered a hamstring injury in training over the weekend.

The hosts made bright start, Mateo Kovacic scything through the United midfield whenever the ball came his way. The Croatian drove forward and was the spark for two early chances with Reece James firing just wide of the far post and Willian bending one over the bar from the right hand side.

(Manchester United via Getty Images)
(Manchester United via Getty Images)

Lampard was, however, dealt an early blow when N’Golo Kante was forced off with what looked a groin injury. With Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Liverpool all visiting Stamford Bridge over the next few weeks, everyone will hope it is not a long layoff for the Frenchman.

Mason Mount replaced Kante and Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings. They were seeing more of the ball and were unfortunate not to have a man advantage when Harry Maguire escaped punishment for planting his studs in Michy Batshuayi’s groin as the pair slid off the pitch.

Even with a full complement, Manchester United were struggling to contain Chelsea down the flanks. Pedro tucked in and slid the ball into the path of Mount, the substitute doing well to pick out Batshuayi in the middle but the Belgian fired what looked a rather straightforward chance wide with an awkward swing of his weaker foot. A big chance to earn some credit from Lampard blown.

(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea were then given a shot across the bows after wasteful finishing. Martial broke free of their shackles and sent his effort wide of the far post, but did not take too long to make amends, thanks in part to some wonderful trickey from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The right-back skipped past Willian with a fine backheel before whipping an inviting cross into the path of United’s No9.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been lacking a real presence to lead the line, with Martial coming in for particular criticism. But here the French forward showed a glimpse of a real talisman, crashing into and above Andreas Christensen to steer a wonderful header into the far post.

As if they needed highlighting, Chelsea problems without Abraham were then exposed once more as Batshuayi, having been sent through by Pedro, scuffed another finish across the mouth of the goal.

Lampard opted for a change at the break, Christiensen hooked in place of Kurt Zouma and it had looked a moment of inspiration from Lampard when, just shy of the hour mark, the Frenchman whacked home an equaliser from a corner, only for VAR to highlight a shove from Cesar Azpilicueta in the build-up and correctly rule out the goal.

(Action Images via Reuters)
(Action Images via Reuters)

Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United’s marquee January arrival, was starting to have his say into the second half and nearly claimed a first goal in English football in bizarre fashion, his low freekick catching Caballero out but striking the near post.

He may not have found the back of the net, but moments later he steered a corner onto the head of captain Maguire who rammed home the advantage of avoiding a red card by shrugging off Antonio Rudiger and powering a header home to notch his first Premier League goal for Manchester United.

Lampard reacted, finally ending Batshuayi’s nightmare and sending Olivier Giroud on for his first appearance since November. The World Cup winner quickly looked more of a presence, backheeling the ball through to Kovacic who was only denied by a fine last ditch Eric Bailly challenge.

Giroud thought he had a first Premier League goal of the season moments later, stooping to head home a wonderful Mount cross only for VAR to crop up again, this time picking out the Frenchman’s big toe in an offside position.

Chelsea continued to battle but could not find that finishing touch, Mount cracking a devilish freekick against David de Gea’s near post. Abraham cannot return soon enough.

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