Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, pulling clear in the second half after a tight and goalless opening period. The result moved Chelsea up to fourth place on 16 points, while United's troubles continued.

The first half offered chances at both ends but no breakthrough. Matheus Cunha thought he had put United ahead, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR. Bruno Fernandes also went close, driving one opportunity over the bar, and United will feel they could have led at the interval. Chelsea, by contrast, looked short of rhythm before the break and needed a sharper second-half display.

Second-half turning point

The game changed five minutes after half-time. Morgan Rogers cut through United's midfield and defence to score in the 50th minute, giving Chelsea a lead their improved play had begun to merit. Matters then worsened for the visitors when Lisandro Martinez was sent off after a VAR review led to his second yellow card and a penalty for Chelsea.

Cole Palmer converted the spot kick in the 64th minute, putting Chelsea 2-0 ahead and effectively ending the contest, with Romeo Lavia also impressing in midfield. United head coach Michael Carrick said afterwards that he did not feel let down by Martinez's dismissal and believed his side could have been ahead by half-time.

For Chelsea, the win was a reward for patience after a poor first half. For United, the problems keep mounting: a promising opening, undone by a red card and a penalty, and another defeat to explain.