Manchester United secured a vital 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro emerging as the decisive figures in a high-tempo clash that saw both sides reduced to 10 men. The result marked United’s second successive home victory in the league, providing much-needed relief for head coach Ruben Amorim after a stuttering start to the campaign.
Early drama as Chelsea reduced to ten
The match began with controversy in just the fourth minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was shown a red card for a foul on Bryan Mbeumo. Despite being a man down so early, Chelsea initially managed to stay organized at the back, frustrating United’s attempts to break through.
Manchester United, however, capitalized on their momentum in the 22nd minute. Bruno Fernandes struck his landmark 100th goal for the club in all competitions, finishing clinically from close range after Patrick Dorgu delivered a pinpoint cross. The Portuguese midfielder’s strike gave the hosts a deserved lead and shifted the match firmly in United’s favor.
Casemiro doubles the lead, then leaves
United extended their advantage in the 37th minute through Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder, making his 130th appearance for the Red Devils, nodded home from close range after Harry Maguire redirected Reece James’s sliced clearance. It was Casemiro’s first goal of the season and his 18th overall in Manchester United colors, further solidifying his importance in midfield.
However, Casemiro’s evening took a dramatic turn in first-half stoppage time when he was shown a second yellow card for pulling down Andrey Santos. His dismissal leveled the playing field, leaving both teams with ten men heading into the break.
Chalobah pulls one back for Chelsea
Chelsea responded in the second half with renewed energy and found a lifeline through Trevoh Chalobah, who netted from close range to make it 2-1. Despite enjoying 59% possession and higher passing accuracy, the Blues struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing only one shot on target across the 90 minutes.
Manchester United’s defense held firm against Chelsea’s late push, securing a crucial three points that lifted the Red Devils to ninth in the Premier League table with seven points from five matches (W2 D1 L1). Chelsea, meanwhile, sit sixth with eight points after suffering their second defeat of the campaign.
Relief for Ruben Amorim amid pressure
For Ruben Amorim, this result brings a welcome boost of confidence after a shaky start to his tenure. With United creating 11 attempts and producing 1.74 expected goals compared to Chelsea’s 0.39, the performance underlined the team’s attacking efficiency and defensive resilience under pressure.
Casemiro’s contribution not only opened his account for the season but also reminded fans of his knack for decisive moments, with seven of his goals for Manchester United coming in Premier League action. For Fernandes, reaching 100 goals in all competitions further cements his status as one of the club’s most influential figures in recent years.