Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was given a red card just five minutes into their clash against Manchester United, after a moment of madness from the Spaniard.
A long ball from United shotstopper Altay Bayindir was brilliantly flicked on by Benjamin Sesko, as Bryan Mbeumo chased the ball that saw him go through on goal.
Sanchez burst out of his goal to take out the Cameroonian on the edge of the box, leaving referee Peter Bankes no choice but to send the goalkeeper straight back down the tunnel.
The ordeal left Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca scrambling, with the Italian making two early substitutions that saw 18-year-old Estevao and Pedro Neto leave the pitch for Tosin Adarabioyo and back-up goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
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And things went from bad to worse for Chelsea, with Bruno Fernandes tapping home his landmark 100th United goal just minutes later.
Maresca was left more than unimpressed, forcing him into a third substitution with just 20 minutes on the clock, as Andrey Santos replaced talisman Cole Palmer.
The former Manchester City man simply shrugged his shoulders at the decision. He was seen with an ice pack on his groin shortly after, which could be an indication as to why the third change was made.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was given a red card just five minutes into their clash against Manchester United on Sunday, after a moment of madness from the Spaniard
|REUTERS
It was the earliest a team has made three substitutions in Premier League history, and signified what was a nightmare start for the Blues that caused wholesale changes from the off and left Maresca fuming.
Casemiro would then double United's lead after a catalogue of errors from the Blues' defence left a simple tap in for the Brazilian.
Fans were quick to take to social media platform X to express their frustrations with Sanchez, who they felt cost their team the three points with such an early mistake.
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Cole Palmer was left unimpressed by the decision
|GETTY
One said: "Will say it again Sanchez is a terrible goalkeeper."
Another added: "Robert Sanchez just ruined this game bro I'm done."
A third demanded: "Sanchez should be sold in January."
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While a fourth said: "Yeah honestly what’s the point. Could have had maignan for £25 million but no we have Rob Sanchez."
Chelsea had been rumoured to have lodged a bid for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan during the summer, but reportedly pulled out of a deal to sign the Frenchman after being told to stump up £25m.
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Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro put Manchester United two goals ahead after Robert Sanchez's red card
|REUTERS
Todd Boehly and Maresca could be left to rue the decision not to go ahead with the move, with Sanchez seemingly costing his side the three points at Old Trafford.
On the other hand, Ruben Amorim will be delighted with Chelsea's chaotic start to the game.
It sees his side on the verge of just a second victory this season, amid mounting pressure on the Portuguese's shoulders.
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