Chelsea took a decisive step towards a Top Four place with a 1 - 0 win over Manchester United. But it did not come without late controversy.

The two sides had gone into half-time scoreless and it appeared as if they would finish 0 - 0 as they entered the last five minutes at Old Trafford.

But Chelsea took the lead when Juan Mata fired in a deflected shot in the 87 minute after a good run from Ramires and a lay-off from Oscar.

And three minutes later to make things worse for Alex Ferguson, United had Rafael sent off. After fouling fellow Brazilian David Luiz by the Chelsea touchline, the Blues defender went down but was then caught on camera smiling.

Seconds later Howard Webb had brandished a red card in Rafael's direction.