LONDON: 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 on Sunday.
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.
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez courted more controversy as he inspired Liverpool into a two-goal lead against Everton in a thrilling Merseyside derby.
Suarez’s low cross was turned into his own net by Leighton Baines after 14 minutes and he then doubled his side’s lead five minutes later with a glancing header.
Everton battled back to earn a draw with goals from Leon Osman and Steven Naismith before halftime but it was Suarez who guaranteed he would be making the headlines.
Heavily criticised before the match by Everton manager David Moyes for his perceived habit of diving, he celebrated Liverpool’s first goal by racing over to the Everton dugout and throwing himself theatrically to the ground.
Moyes was clearly not amused although he later made light of the incident, appearing more angry with Suarez treading on the leg of Everton defender Sylvain Distin in the second half, for which Suarez received a yellow card.
“I thought it was great, I would probably have done the same, but he is going to have to dive in front of a lot of managers now,” Moyes said of the Suarez theatrics.
“He was a very lucky man to stay on the park because of his tackle.”
Moyes said he had also spoken to his own player Phil Neville after he was booked for diving in the first half.
Neville, a rugged midfielder not normally associated with such antics, admitted he had got a rocket from his manager.
“It was a stupid thing to do by myself,” Neville said. “I thought Daniel Agger was going to come in and take me out. I got a good kick up the back side at halftime and I won’t do it again, that’s for sure.”
The visiting celebrations were cut short, however, as a minute later Liverpool failed to clear a corner properly and Osman thumped home a shot past keeper Brad Jones.
Everton suddenly came alive and they were level shortly after the half hour mark when Marouane Fellaini crossed for Naismith to stab home the equaliser. (Reuters)