JOIN USHernandez strike powers Man U
Javier Hernandez grabbed a 3-2 victory for Manchester United at 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.
Victory lifted United back above neighbours Manchester City into second place on goal difference with 21 points, one point behind Chelsea.
Earlier Everton recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park while Gareth Bale was on target against his old club as 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.
Chelsea and United drew 3-3 at Stamford Bridge last season in the Premier League and the latest chapter in their rivalry proved equally dramatic.
United, who meet Chelsea again this week in the League Cup, made a blistering start as they went 2-0 ahead after 12 minutes.
Chelsea, again playing with Oscar, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata in an attacking formation behind Torres, cleared their heads and a minute before halftime Mata curled an unstoppable free kick past Davis de Gea to give them hope.
They were level after 53 minutes when Ramires climbed to head in Oscar's dinked cross in a crowded area.
Hernandez then rubbed salt into Chelsea's wounds as the crowd sang "3-2 to the referee".