The Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford turned into one of the most talked-about fixtures of the season, not only because of the result but largely due to a string of controversial refereeing calls that left both sets of fans divided. While the match delivered goals, drama, and high-intensity moments, the spotlight after the final whistle was firmly fixed on the decisions of referee Peter Bankes and the response they provoked. Former top-flight referee Mark Halsey has since weighed in, giving his verdict on the main incidents that dominated post-match discussions.
The first major talking point arrived during the opening half when Chelsea’s Joao Pedro went down inside the Manchester United penalty area under pressure from Noussair Mazraoui. Blues boss Enzo Maresca was visibly incensed on the touchline, making it clear he felt his side had been denied a stonewall penalty. The incident quickly circulated on social media, with countless fans sharing replay angles that appeared to show Mazraoui making some contact with Pedro before the forward fell. However, Halsey poured cold water on the appeals. In his analysis, he insisted that referee Bankes made the correct call in allowing play to continue, reasoning that any contact was minimal and insufficient to justify awarding a spot-kick.
Soon after, the game’s intensity ratcheted up another level when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was shown a straight red card. The Spaniard charged off his line and collided heavily with Bryan Mbeumo outside the area, leaving the referee with a big call to make. After little hesitation, Bankes reached for his pocket and dismissed Sánchez, a decision that swung the contest against Chelsea. According to Halsey, the officials were absolutely right in their judgment. He argued that Sánchez had blatantly denied United a clear goalscoring opportunity, and the dismissal was therefore unavoidable under the laws of the game.
Manchester United looked to capitalize on their numerical advantage, and goals from captain Bruno Fernandes and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro gave them a firm grip on proceedings. Yet Casemiro soon found himself at the center of controversy. Already carrying a yellow card, he committed an unnecessary foul on Chelsea’s Andrey Santos in first-half stoppage time. The challenge earned him a second booking, leaving United with ten men before the break. Halsey was blunt in his critique, describing Casemiro’s tackle as reckless and pointing out that an experienced player of his caliber should have exercised far more caution, particularly when already on thin disciplinary ice.
The second half was equally tense. Chelsea, despite being a man down, rallied late on and were rewarded when Trevoh Chalobah pulled a goal back to make it 2–1. That set up a nervy finish for United, but Ruben Amorim’s men managed to hold on and secure a valuable victory. The result eased some of the pressure surrounding Amorim’s leadership, though questions continue to be asked about his tactical choices and squad rotation.
For Chelsea, the match ended with a lingering sense of injustice. Maresca and the club’s supporters remain convinced that the penalty decision in the first half cost them dearly. Combined with Sánchez’s red card, the frustration only deepened. While United celebrated a hard-fought win, the encounter will be remembered as much for its refereeing drama as for the football itself.
