Latest: Chelsea 0 Man Utd 1 – Blues behind after Zouma is stretchered off
Jesse Lingard’s goal put Manchester United ahead at Stamford Bridge shortly after Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma was stretchered off.
Wayne Rooney nudged Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s cross towards Lingard, who cleverly turned away from Cesar Azpilicueta and smashed past Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois was called upon twice in the opening 15 minutes, comfortably gathering low-range efforts from Borthwick-Jackson and Michael Carrick.
Blues keeper Courtois then produced a fine save, diving to his left to push away Anthony Martial’s curling shot.
Chelsea skipper John Terry was given a predictably rousing reception on his first appearance at the Bridge since announcing that he is not being offered a new contract and will leave when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
There was nothing rousing about the home team’s start, but midway through the half they suddenly clicked into gear.
Nemanja Matic’s header from Willian’s right-wing corner was saved by United keeper David De Gea, and Diego Costa fired narrowly wide after being put through by Oscar’s clever through-ball.
Oscar then had two chances in quick succession, but he shot over after exchanging passes with Azpilicueta and was just unable to connect with Willian’s low cross.
And in the final seconds of the first half, Chelsea felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Willian sent the ball in from the right and Daley Blind blocked Terry’s shot with his arm.
United made a blistering start to the second half and Rooney and Lingard had shots saved by Courtois, while Martial fired wide of the near post.
It prompted Guus Hiddink to bring on the fit-again Eden Hazard and a couple of minutes later the Chelsea interim boss was forced to make another change after Zouma landed worryingly awkwardly after going up for a header.
Worse followed for Hiddink’s side on the hour mark when Lingard broke the deadlock.
Subs: Begovic, Baba Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Traore.