Updated: Hernandez seals controversial win for M Utd at Chelsea
Everton's Magaye Gueye (right) and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (left) battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.Photo: Peter Byrne, PA Wire
Javier Hernandez grabbed a 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Premier League leaders Chelsea after the previously unbeaten hosts had been reduced to nine men in a tempestuous clash at Stamford Bridge.
The Mexican, looking suspiciously offside, tapped in the winner in the 75th minute to kill off a vibrant Chelsea side who had battled back from 2-0 down before having Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres sent off by referee Mark Clattenburg.
A David Luiz own goal gave United the lead after four minutes and Robin van Persie fired the visitors 2-0 ahead eight minutes later.
Juan Mata began the Chelsea fightback with a curling free kick in the 44th minute and Ramires hauled Chelsea level shortly after the break with a header.
However, Chelsea's momentum was halted when Ivanovic was red-carded for tripping Ashley Young and worse followed when Fernando Torres appeared to have been felled by Jonny Evans but was instead shown a second yellow card for diving.
The home crowd roared its disapproval and then watched on as Hernandez, on as a substitute for Tom Cleverley, poked home United's winner from close range.
Earlier Everton and Liverpool drew 2-2 at Goodison Park while Tottenham Hotspur moved into the top four with a 2-1 victory at struggling Southampton.
Newcastle United beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at home.
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John Cassar
Oct 28th 2012, 21:22
Like it or not Howard Webb, Mark Clattenburg and Phil Dowd always seem to be United's extra player.
Having referees like these really helps any team's chances when refereeing both directly and indirectly.
What a shame the premier league will not act until the game will be severely damaged.
Andrew Cumbo
Oct 28th 2012, 22:44
Do you disagree in the sending off of Ivanovic? This sending off was clear enough and nobody contested it. About the 2nd it was harsh as it was Evans that made a slight contact. But before this episode Torres had ferocious contact with Cleverly that the referee was more than kind. And what about the the hand penalties of Torres and David Luis, you haven’t seen these Mr. Cassar?
Bryan Cherrett
Oct 29th 2012, 05:58
lat time Mark Clattenburg refereed United before yesterday- United 1 - City 6..so not much in your argument
Francis Bellizzi
Oct 29th 2012, 09:03
Referees are booking players when they get caught diving. We see it week after week. T***es is one of the culprits. He should have been sent off after he fouled Cleverley.
John Cassar
Oct 29th 2012, 21:56
Andrew - the bottom line is that the winning goal was miles offside.
Bryan - city were so awesome that day that no refereeing would have stopped them.
The truth is that over the last couple of years refereeing has always helped Man Utd more than hindered them.
Any comments about Howard Webb pls?
Joseph Arpa
Oct 28th 2012, 20:59
@ Joseph Mifsud
Taf x naf Mr Mifsud....true Torres could have been sent off for the ugly foul, but Man.Utd can't complain because instead of that sending off they got 2 and were also awarded with an invalid goal. The cherry on the Ferguson cake!!
Joseph Arpa
Oct 28th 2012, 19:09
Man.Utd should be investigated, it it incredible how whenever there is a 'bad' decision by a referee it is always in Man.Utd's favour. I find it very hard to believe that there is not some hidden hand working in Man.Utd favour.
This cannot continue.
A. Borg
Oct 28th 2012, 19:21
Proset habib. L-ingliterra hemm il-United u l-Italja hemm il-Juventus. Kumbinazzjoni l-lum it-tnejn gawdew minn decizzjonijiet tal-misthija tar-referees u haga ta l-ghageb kull decizzjoni dubjuza dejjem tkun favur taghhom.
Mario Brincat
Oct 28th 2012, 19:31
sour grapes Mr Arpa
if you really believe what you just stated above, you are either short of memory or even worse a biased anti Utd supporter
joseph mifsud
Oct 28th 2012, 20:10
taf x naf sur arpa li il torres kellu jkeccih fl 1st half ghall dak il foul li amel fuq cleverly.qabel tparla ara il fatti.
Bryan Cherrett
Oct 28th 2012, 20:17
fil passat il united kemm il darba kellom decisjonijiet hziena kontrijom kontra chelsea..u jekk tooqd sejjer hekk is sena l ohra il league serquh ic city ghax qpr meta saru jafu li salvi waqfu u cedew!!
J. Debono
Oct 28th 2012, 20:23
@ Mario Brincat
It is not sour grapes
Look at all Man. Utd. games
All dubious decisions are in their favour.
Joseph Arpa
Oct 28th 2012, 20:56
@ Mario Brincat
I invite you to honestly take note of the times Man.Utd will be under water this season, and by 'coincidence' a refs decision turns the game around in their favour. This season it already happened against Liverpool and Chelsea as far as I can remember. Other teams are lucky if it happens twice in a season...Man.Utd have already got 2 , and counting.
R. Balzan
Oct 29th 2012, 08:42
@ Joseph Arpa, A. Borg, J. Debono and any other frustrated sour grape picker - Man United have had their share of bad decisions by referees as much as any other club. While totally understanding your frustrations and unreasonable conclusions, the only remedy to your problem is to start supporting the best-supported and richest football club in the world. And you'll live happily ever after.
Jonathan Bugeja
Oct 29th 2012, 08:52
This season has been littered with many bad referee decisions, but its only one united benefit from which are mentioned. The level of refereeing is a Joke and is harming the game we love so much.
QPR lost to an offside goal
Liverpool should have won
Recently ba clearly scored with his hand
Please remove your anti united glasses and see the whole picture.
Francis Bellizzi
Oct 29th 2012, 09:06
Mr Arpa. the FA have taken your advice. They have called in Interpol.
E Louis
Oct 29th 2012, 10:28
Could you stop and REASON for a moment? If referees are corrupt and siding with Utd, they wouldn't want to make it obvious and get caught would they? in which case they would not have thought twice to give Utd 2 penalties yesterday (which, if given, would have been justified). But no, according to you, they would wait for a doubtful action to favor Utd... Not much sense in your reasoning is there?
E Louis
Oct 29th 2012, 10:29
Could you stop and REASON for a moment? If referees are corrupt and siding with Utd, they wouldn't want to make it obvious and get caught would they? in which case they would not have thought twice to give Utd 2 penalties yesterday (which, if given, would have been justified). But no, according to you, they would wait for a doubtful action to favor Utd...Not much sense in your reasoning is there?
Please choose the reason of your report below: