A late Juan Mata winner ensured Chelsea earned a a 1-0 win over Man United and assert their grasp on a Champions League spot at Old Trafford.
Juan Mata, such a prominent perfomer for the Blues all season but quiet throughout the game, grabbed the winner after fizzing in a drive past a despairing Anders Lindegaard with just minutes left.
With United furious for what they perceived to be a foul in a build up to the goal Rafael let his emotions get the better of him as he kicked out at David Luiz in the corner and saw red in the final minute.
The Chelsea defender made the most of it and feigned injury with United's Brazilian considered by some unlucky to go.
The already crowned Premier League champions rested several players and played at a canter and it is unlikely Sir Alex Ferguson will consider this performance worthy of a team trip to Chester races on Wednesday.
The game started at a furious pace to have neutrals dreaming of a goal after the bore 0-0 Merseyside derby draw between Liverpool and Everton earlier in the day.
Brazilian Oscar looked lively early on and almost had the Blues in front after he cut through the United defence and let fly with the outside of his right book. The strike was made to look all the better by Anders Lindegaard's terrible attempt of a save in which he tipped it onto the post before finally gathering.
After Victor Moses skied a chance laid on a platter to him with the Red Devils backpedalling, United began to finally wake up.
Talisman Robin Van Persie tried repeating his volley over the shoulder trick but it just went past the post.
A variety of tame efforts were nothing to shout home about and it was left to the little Spaniard to finally bring things to life with moments to spare and move the Blues into third with a game in hand on fourth-placed Arsenal.
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Well done boys...Common Chelsea!!!!
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