VAR goes Utd's way, turning point for top-4 - Things learned in Chelsea 0-2 Utd

Manchester United gave their Champions League hopes a shot in the arm and left Chelsea looking over their shoulders with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils won a scrappy encounter via Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire headers either side of the interval in a huge result in the top four race.

Chelsea were left frustrated after having two goals ruled out by VAR, first a Kurt Zouma header after a push on Brandon Williams and then an Olivier Giroud strike for offside.

They also felt Maguire could have been sent off for appearing to kick out at Michy Batshuayi right in front of their bench in the first half.

But Frank Lampard's side were ultimately second best and saw the gap between themselves and seventh-placed United reduced to just three points as the chasing pack close in on fourth spot.

Here's 6 talking points from a massive game at Stamford Bridge.

1) Top four turning point?

When the season draws to a close, February 17 could be the night highlighted as a turning point in the top four race.

Chelsea have long been camped in the Champions League places as a result of their strong start to the season.

United, on the other hand, have been playing catch-up from the outset.

After tonight's victory, the Red Devils are just three points behind Chelsea, up to seventh place and closing in.

Chelsea have just one win in their last six Premier League games, whilst United's victory puts them right back in the mix.

With the likes of Tottenham, Sheffield United, Everton, Wolves and Arsenal all still in the race for European places, the battle is set to go down to the wire.

Tonight's game, however, could have serious ramifications for two sides expecting to play Champions League football next season.

2) Martial and Wan-Bissaka silence doubters

Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have rightly come in for criticism from some quarters this season.

Both big-money signings, the pair have been inconsistent and often summed up Manchester United's problems.

Martial has been unconvincing leading the line since Marcus Rashford's injury in a central role, whilst Wan-Bissaka's lack of attacking ability has come into question.

In the blink of an eye, the pair directly addressed both of those criticisms in the first half, with Wan-Bissaka twisting and turning around Willian to deliver a pinpoint cross, perfectly nodded in by Martial with a textbook No.9 finish.

That's exactly what the pair are capable of - but they need to deliver more regularly.

3) Fernandes watch

All eyes have been on Bruno Fernandes since he sealed his big-money move from Sporting Lisbon.

The Portugal international put in a solid debut display against Wolves before spending time bonding with his team-mates over the winter break.

He was warned he would face a much different experience against Chelsea but he again showed promising signs.

At times, in the first half in particular, he struggled to get into the game but tried to be positive when he got on the ball to drive his side forward.

His set pieces provided another dimension, striking the post with a free-kick just after the hour mark shortly before registering his first assist as an in swinging corner was met by Harry Maguire for the second goal.

His dead ball delivery often looked United's biggest threat, whilst he is only going to get better in open play as he carves out a clear role in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

So far, so good.

4) VAR goes United's way

Chelsea's bench were left furious after Harry Maguire tangled with Michy Batshuayi on their touchline in the first half.

The pair were both on their way to the deck when a falling Maguire appeared to kick-out at the Chelsea striker.

Referee Anthony Taylor thought nothing of it and, after a quick look at the replays, VAR official Chris Kavanagh deemed there was no need to rectify what was not deemed a clear and obvious error.

A red card for Maguire perhaps would have been harsh, but the incident was not too dissimilar to Son Heung-min's red card awarded by VAR against Chelsea earlier in the season.

It proved a sign of things to come. VAR also went in United's favour twice more - both correctly - ruling out a Kurt Zouma leveller after a push from Cesar Azpilicueta on Brandon Williams and an Olivier Giroud goal for offside.

On another day and with a different set of eyes casting their verdict, United might not have been so lucky with the first two decisions.

Typically, it was Maguire who put the game to bed with a bullet header beyond Willy Caballero to put his side 2-0 up in the second half.

5) Batshuayi out of touch

Unfortunately for Chelsea, the scoreline might have been far different had they taken their chances. 

A host of opportunities were spurned by the Blues and Michy Batshuayi, in particular, looked like he had left his scoring boots at home.

Two gilt-edged chances inside the area were passed up after which the striker never looked like getting his confidence back. With Tammy Abraham’s injury, it’s now a big dilemma for Frank Lampard at center-forward going into the final months of the season.

6) Sancho battle makes sense

Manchester United and Chelsea are set for a summer transfer battle for Jadon Sancho.

After seeing them square off on the pitch, it is easy to see why.

The two sides had similar problems. Both lacked creativity and cutting age, often getting into decent positions but lacking the quality or decision making to make it count in the final third.

Sancho's track record in the Bundesliga speaks for itself in terms of creativity with an eye-catching 29 goals and 36 assists for Borussia Dortmund in the past two seasons in all competitions.

On tonight's showing, those are the characteristics both United and Chelsea are missing - and it's easy to see why their battle is set to be replicated off the pitch in pursuit of the England international.