'On me today, guys' - Robert Sanchez issues heartfelt apology after early red card cost Chelsea dear in Man Utd defeat

Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez has issued a heartfelt apology in the wake of his team's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. Sanchez was sent off in the fifth minute after a mistimed challenged denied Bryan Mbeumo a clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving the visitors handicapped.

Taking to social media after the game, Sanchez asked for forgiveness and took the blame of Chelsea's first league defeat of this season upon his shoulders. "On me today guys, big sorry for that, team put a massive effort in the second half but couldn't get there," the former Brighton keeper wrote on his Instagram story.

Sanchez's disastrous early red card earned him a place in both Chelsea and Premier League history books. Indeed, no other Chelsea player has ever been sent off earlier in the top-flight, while only two other goalkeepers have managed to be sent off earlier. 

Given that referee Peter Bankes sent him off for denying the opposition player a clear-cut goalscoring chance, the Spanish international will only serve a one-match suspension. He will be unavailable for Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash against Lincoln City, but will return for next weekend's Premier League outing against his former employers Brighton.