Robert Sanchez sent off inside four minutes against Man Utd after horrific challenge

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off just four minutes into his side's Premier League clash with Manchester United on Saturday after clattering into Bryan Mbeumo. The Blues were reduced to 10 men when Sanchez mistimed a challenge after the former Brentford winger raced onto a through ball and poked the ball beyond the Spaniard.

Chelsea went into the game at Old Trafford off the back of an unbeaten start to their Premier League season following victories over West Ham and Fulham and draws against Crystal Palace and Brentford. But the visitors were soon on the back foot as United went in search of a statement victory following a difficult start to the campaign.

United manager Ruben Amorim handed summer signing Benjamin Sesko his first home Premier League start as the Slovenia international was named in attack alongside Mbeumo and Amad.

And it was a flick on from Sesko that set Mbeumo on his way to goal as the ball sailed beyond Chelsea's last line of defence.

Sanchez was standing on the edge of his penalty area when Sesko won the header and decided to race forward in an attempt to win the ball before Mbeumo. But the Cameroon winger got a toe to the ball before Sanchez arrived, with the goalkeeper ultimately flooring the player with his challenge.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca took decisive action following Sanchez's dismissal as he brought on back-up keeper Filip Jorgensen in the place of exciting Brazilian attacker Estevao.

And the Italian immediately made a second change as he hauled off winger Pedro Neto and brought on centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Blues attempted to settle the game down and play themselves into the match following the early drama. But they fell behind 14 minutes in as Bruno Fernandes turned the ball home from close range after Patrick Dorgu headed the ball back across goal.

And Chelsea's afternoon went from bad to worse as Cole Palmer was then forced off midway through the first half with what appeared to be an injury.

The England international only returned to action a week ago after missing two matches before the international break with a groin injury.

Chelsea went into their shell after their miserable start to the game, with United piling the pressure on. And the Red Devils went 2-0 up eight minutes before the interval as Casemiro headed in at the back post.

But the Brazilian was then given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Andrey Santos in stoppage time at the end of the first half.