Substitute Javier Hernandez ended Manchester United's 10-year wait for a Premier League victory at Chelsea on Sunday, striking late to secure a 3-2 win after the hosts had two players sent off.
The Mexico striker scored in the 75th minute to inflict the league leaders' first loss of the season and put United just a point behind Chelsea.
"It was a really difficult game as they commanded at the end of the first half, we were very lucky we scored the last goal," Hernandez said. "For some people it will be very controversial, for others it won't. For us, we won the three points and it was very difficult."
United threw away a two-goal lead established inside 12 minutes. Robin van Persie saw his shot turned in by Chelsea defender David Luiz before getting on the scoresheet himself.
Chelsea fought back as Juan Mata curled in a free kick just before half time and Ramires headed in an equalizer eight minutes after the break.
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic was sent off in the 63rd for bringing down Ashley Young, and striker Fernando Torres received a second booking for diving.
"It's a shame a game like this has to be decided in this manner by officials," Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo said. "Surely when he watches the images he (the referee) will realize he made a big mistake."
Chelsea had not lost at Stamford Bridge in a league match to United since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, and he watched in frustration as his side's comeback counted for nothing.
"It's been 10 years since we have won down here," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We had a good record until Jose (Mourinho) came along (in 2004) and spoiled the party."
Chelsea will have a chance for revenge on Wednesday when the teams meet again in the League Cup here.
Early on, Chelsea appeared to be missing captain John Terry, who was serving the second game of his four-match ban for racially abusing an opponent.
GP
W
D
L
GF
GA
PTS
Chelsea
9
7
1
1
21
9
22
Manchester United
9
7
0
2
24
13
21
Manchester City
9
6
3
0
18
9
21
Tottenham
9
5
2
2
17
13
17
Everton
9
4
4
1
17
11
16
Arsenal
9
4
3
2
14
6
15
Fulham
9
4
2
3
19
14
14
West Brom
9
4
2
3
13
11
14
West Ham
9
4
2
3
13
11
14
Newcastle
9
3
4
2
11
13
13
Swansea
9
3
2
4
14
13
11
Liverpool
9
2
4
3
12
14
10
Stoke
9
1
6
2
8
9
9
Sunderland
8
1
6
1
6
8
9
Wigan
9
2
2
5
10
16
8
Norwich
9
1
4
4
7
18
7
Aston Villa
9
1
3
5
7
14
6
Reading
8
0
4
4
11
17
4
Southampton
9
1
1
7
14
26
4
Queens Park Rangers
9
0
3
6
7
18
3
Saturday, Oct. 27
Aston Villa 1, Norwich 1
Arsenal 1, Queens Park Rangers 0
Reading 3, Fulham 3
Stoke 0, Sunderland 0
Wigan 2, West Ham 1
Manchester City 1, Swansea 0
Sunday, Oct. 28
Everton 2, Liverpool 2
Newcastle 2, West Brom 1
Southampton 1, Tottenham 2
Chelsea 2, Manchester United 3
Saturday, Nov. 3
Arsenal at Manchester United
Everton at Fulham
Stoke at Norwich
Aston Villa at Sunderland
Chelsea at Swansea
Wigan at Tottenham
Manchester City at West Ham
Sunday, Nov. 4
Reading at Queens Park Rangers
Newcastle at Liverpool
Monday, Nov. 5
Southampton at West Brom