Breaking: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca convinced his side was denied a clear penalty against Man United
The Premier League showdown between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford was loaded with controversy, with refereeing decisions quickly becoming the main talking point after the final whistle. From disputed penalty claims to two red cards, the match had everything, and former referee Mark Halsey has now shared his assessment of the incidents that sparked debate.
One of the biggest flashpoints came in the first half when Joao Pedro hit the turf inside the United box after a challenge from Noussair Mazraoui. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was visibly furious, adamant his side had been denied a clear penalty. Social media erupted, with fans posting replays that appeared to show contact. But Halsey dismissed the appeals, arguing that the referee Peter Bankes got the decision right by waving play on.
The drama escalated in the opening minutes as Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was sent off for clattering into Bryan Mbeumo outside the penalty area. The red card left Chelsea with a huge disadvantage, and Halsey was in full agreement with the officials, stating that Sánchez had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Manchester United looked to be in control after goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, but the Brazilian’s night quickly unraveled. Already booked, Casemiro needlessly fouled Andrey Santos in stoppage time of the first half, earning a second yellow card. Halsey described his actions as careless, insisting there was no excuse for the challenge given his earlier caution.
Despite the chaos, United held firm, edging out a 2-1 victory. Chalobah’s late strike gave Chelsea hope, but Ruben Amorim’s men did just enough to secure three vital points. The result eased some of the pressure on Amorim, though questions remain about his team selection. For Chelsea, the sense of frustration lingers, with Maresca and supporters alike convinced they were wronged by the officials.
