Chelsea receive new referee verdict after red card and penalty decisions vs Man Utd

The right decision was made to show Robert Sanchez an early red card in Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester United, according to former referee Dermot Gallagher.

The Blues goalkeeper was shown a straight red for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity after he fouled Bryan Mbeumo outside of the penalty area.

With just five minutes on the clock, it forced Enzo Maresca into an early reshuffle with Filip Jorgensen replacing Estevao and Tosin Adarabioyo replacing Pedro Neto.

Speaking about the incident on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Gallagher said: "I don't think there's any doubt it's a red card.

“You see a goalkeeper come out, whatever reason he comes out for, it takes out Mbeumo. I don't think anybody would argue it's a red card. A big decision four minutes in, and he (referee Peter Bankes) rose to it."

Pundit Jay Boothroyd was in agreement over the decision, saying: "It was reckless, wasn't it? I have got a bit of sympathy here though for Sanchez, obviously, the weather, as you can see, it's really wet.”

"The ball bounces differently; it skidded forward. There's no doubt about it, it's a red card, it's just so early in the game I think he got his starting position wrong.

"Ultimately, either way, (he's) stopping a goalscoring opportunity and that tackle was high anyway."

United were able to make the most of the numerical advantage in the first half with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro putting them 2-0 up. Casemiro was, however, shown a second yellow card just before half time to even the numbers up.

Chelsea fought back in the second half, with Trevoh Chalobah scoring in the 80th minute. However, they were unable to find the all-important equaliser.

They did have a shout for a penalty, though, when Joao Pedro went down in the box under a challenge from Noussair Mazraoui. Chelsea protests were waved away by Bankes and Gallagher has said it was the fight decision.

“Referees do things by instinct,” he said. “Watch the ball change direction, the ball changed direction because he gets it.

“If you see the referee’s position, that is what he sees. The referee actually sees the ball change direction, turns and waves it away.”

Again, Boothroyd was in agreement. “If he had given that, it would be a really soft penalty,” he said.

“I know what Pedro is doing; he can see there is going to be contact. The attacker is trying to play smart.

“He has slightly touched the ball, I think that’s what saves him - the slight touch on it. I think if you are going to give penalties like that, I think that is really soft.”

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