Chelsea rocked by Cole Palmer injury blow! England star subbed against Man Utd within 20 minutes after appearing to aggravate groin problem in farcical start to Premier League clash

Palmer, a boyhood Manchester United fan and the heartbeat of Maresca’s attack, pulled up clutching his groin. He had barely touched the ball before throwing his head back in frustration, shaking his head at the bench. Swapping his shirt for a heavy coat, the England international stormed straight to the tunnel in visible anger. However, he was later spotted back on the bench with ice packed onto his thighs. There were fitness worries about Palmer after he picked up the groin injury against Bayern Munich, and yet Maresca risked him for the blockbuster clash at Old Trafford. The gamble has backfired spectacularly. 

The match had barely settled into rhythm when disaster struck for the Blues. United launched long from the back, with Benjamin Sesko nodding on to release Bryan Mbeumo. The forward was through on goal when Robert Sanchez charged recklessly out of his area and wiped him out at the edge of the box. The referee barely hesitated and flashed a straight red card.

United smelt blood and wasted no time twisting the knife. From the resulting wave of attacks, Mbeumo whipped in a dangerous cross from the right. At the back post, Dorgu climbed highest, steering a clever header back across the six-yard box. Bruno Fernandes ghosted beyond Chelsea’s static backline and stabbed home past substitute keeper Filip Jorgensen. VAR spent an eternity checking whether Trevoh Chalobah had stepped up in time, but replays showed the Chelsea defender had played Fernandes onside. The relentless Red Devils piled further misery when Casemiro doubled the lead in the 37th minute before the Brazilian was also given the marching orders for two bookings, minutes before half-time. 

Chelsea’s packed calendar offers no time for recovery. Although Maresca will be happy to rotate against Lincoln City in the EFL Cup midweek, Brighton await next week, a side more than capable of punishing weakness. The Italian manager will be praying the scans reveal a minor strain rather than a long-term absence, because Palmer has become indispensable in his system. With Sanchez suspended and Palmer in the treatment room, cracks are beginning to show for the world champions.