Martinez sent off for second yellow as 10-man United fall further behind Chelsea

Lisandro Martinez was reduced to ten men after receiving a second yellow card against Chelsea, compounding Manchester United’s misery as Cole Palmer converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Martinez, 28, had already been booked when he jumped into Wesley Fofana at a free-kick, leading with his arm. Referee Peter Bankes was directed to the pitchside monitor by VAR and upgraded the decision to a penalty as well as showing the Argentine his second yellow. Martinez trudged towards the tunnel as United trailed 1-0, a deficit that had been established by a Morgan Rogers goal.

Manager Michael Carrick did not acknowledge Martinez as he left the pitch. Carrick was deep in conversation with assistant Steve Holland, the pair searching for a way back into the contest. Palmer stepped up and dispatched the penalty to double Chelsea’s advantage, before Carrick responded with two substitutions.

Commentator Ally McCoist was unsparing in his assessment. “That’s ridiculous defending, you’re not on side you’re just on any side and jumping into him,” he said. “That’s a penalty. He’s just jumped into him to prevent a header. It’s unacceptable. Lisandro Martinez just runs right across and it’s absolutely crazy. He’s let everyone down, his team-mates, everything.”

Former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was equally critical. “For a defender of his level, that is just lazy. That is almost unforgivable. He leads with his arm into the face of Fofana,” he said.

Chelsea came close to a third when Palmer played Estevao through on goal and the Brazilian finished over Senne Lammens, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.