Chelsea 0-2 Man United: The one where VAR lost the plot

VAR: Not a red...

Manchester United managed their first league double over Chelsea since 1988. And the first time they've managed it without conceding since 1965. None of those formidable Sir Alex Ferguson sides managed it. But here we are.

It was another frustrating night out at Stamford Bridge. And not the ideal preparation for a now very much in-form Bayern Munich side. Olivier Giroud once again overlooked for a starting place while Kepa still bizarrely remains on the sidelines.

Having lost on the opening day and getting knocked out of the League Cup by this Manchester United side, Frank Lampard was hoping to restore balance. But the stars did not align and Anthony Taylor seems to have lost his mind.

Chelsea started brightly with Reece James firing just wide of David de Gea's far post. But it took less than a quarter of an hour before Lampard was forced into a tactical change. N'Golo Kante limped off injured and was replaced by Mason Mount. The diminutive Frenchman has struggled with injury throughout this campaign. Guttering for all.

As expected, Mount injected a dose of energy into the side as Chelsea continued to mount pressure on United's defence. But the game took a turn when Harry Maguire decided that he needed to stop Michy Batshuayi by kicking him in the groin. Clearly a man who has not watched the Belgian over the last 18 months.

Kicked him. Not covertly. Very openly kicked him. VAR reviewed this. And somehow decided that it was completely fine. To just throw your studs in the air and kick another man in his bathing suit parts. It was not dissimilar to Heung Min-Son's effort against Rudiger. Expect far more dangerous.

Unsurprisingly, following this shock decision, Man United were bolstered and started to play themselves into the game as Bruno Fernandes took control of the midfield. Just before the break Anthony Martial headed in from Aaron Wan-Bissaka to give the visitors the lead. Their combined pace was too much for Chelsea's defender to handle.

Frank Lampard was forced into a second change with Kurt Zouma replacing an injured Andreas Christensen to start the second half. Apparently it was not just his pride that took a hit in United's opening goal.

Azpilicueta's hands after being pushed by Fred

Zouma had an almost immediate impact as he found the back of the net to equalise. But it wasn't to
be. Chelsea's good friend VAR struck again ruling out the defender's goal. It was deemed that Cesar Azpilicueta had committed a foul inside the box. In actuality Fred pushed the Chelsea captain into Brandon Williams. The goal should have stood. For those keeping track. That's VAR 2-0 Chelsea.

Just to clear up any doubt whether this was or was not Chelsea's night - Harry Maguire powered in a header for United's second of the night. Nothing wrong with the goal itself - except for the goalscorer should not have been on the pitch. Insult to injury indeed.

Olivier Giroud offside

Olivier Giroud's beautiful face was allowed to make an appearance after Lampard gave up on Batshuayi and his bruised groin. He also scored a fantastic header from Mount's exceptional cross. Only for it to be ruled out for having a toe offside.

The stands echoed with frustration for VAR before clearing out. It was the earliest I've seen the ground empty in ages. Stamford Bridge was, rightly, furious with the VAR calls throughout the evening. Completely understandable - although disappointing for the players who did put in a decent shift despite suffering two injuries and some ridiculous injustices.

Next up -- Tottenham and the return of Jose Mourinho (again).

jb xx

RESULT: Chelsea 0-2 Man United

GOALS: Martial 45, Maguire, 66

CHELSEA XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen (Zouma 46), James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Kante (Mount 12), Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi (Giroud 68)

STAR MAN: VAR  Bruno Fernandes