Man Utd 4-1 Chelsea: Champions League qualification marred by potentially serious Antony injury
The Brazil winger was sent off on a stretcher just 27 minutes into Thursday’s game after a foul by Trevoh Chalobah that saw the Chelsea man seize the ball.
After a long period of treatment, Antony attempted to leave the pitch but winced at the pain as he put pressure on his ankle – which resulted in him being carried off the field with his hands in front of his face.
It meant an earlier than planned opportunity for Marcus Rashford to get into the fight after he was benched on his return from illness.
But United were already ahead thanks to Casemiro’s second goal in as many games when the Brazilian headed in from a Christian Eriksen free-kick in the sixth minute.
Chelsea recorded several gross misses in the first half that largely outnumbered them. Mykhailo Mudryk failed to convert a lovely Lewis Hall cross in front of goal and Conor Gallagher and Kai Havertz were also at fault in front of goal.
They paid in the long stoppage time of the first half when Casemiro’s delicate drive into the box was blocked by Jadon Sancho for Anthony Martial’s substitution.
United tried to decide the game, Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar early on before Kepa Arrizabalaga blocked a difficult Christian Eriksen try from the line.
Chelsea’s resolve was soon dashed as Wesley Fofana was crushed by Fernandes before sluggishly bringing him down in the box, allowing the Portuguese midfielder to convert the third penalty.
Rashford added a fourth with 12 minutes to go after another Fofana error to secure a lead over third-placed Newcastle going into the final day despite consolation from Joao Felix.
Man United host Fulham ahead of the FA Cup final six days later, which will require a speedy recovery from Antony, while Chelsea host the Toon in west London.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-chelsea-antony-injury-b1083833.html Man Utd 4-1 Chelsea: Champions League qualification marred by potentially serious Antony injury
