Bruno Fernandes eased the pressure on Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as his last-gasp penalty sealed a 3-2 win over Burnley, while Chelsea benefited from VAR controversy.
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Just days after a humiliating League Cup second-round loss at fourth-tier Grimsby, United were on the brink of another damaging result after promoted Burnley twice came from behind at Old Trafford.
Amorim had admitted after the Grimsby debacle that he sometimes thinks about quitting and often “hates” his players.
His mood would have been even darker before United captain Fernandes came to the rescue seven minutes into stoppage time.
United’s first win in three league games this season will give Amorim some much-needed respite heading into the international break, although questions will still be asked of the Portuguese coach after his side’s latest erratic display.
Luck was on United’s side when they took the lead in the 26th minute. Casemiro’s header thumped off the crossbar and hit Burnley captain Josh Cullen on the back, ricocheting over the line before Martin Dubravka could claw it away.
Lyle Foster hauled Burnley level with a 55th-minute finish from Jacob Bruun Larsen’s cross.
Bryan Mbeumo put United back in the lead just 15 seconds later when he slammed in Diogo Dalot’s cutback for his first league goal since his summer move from Brentford.
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United’s frailties were punished again as Jaidon Anthony equalised in the 66th minute.
But in the final moments Anthony pulled Amad Diallo, with a lengthy VAR check concluding the foul continued inside the area, conceding a controversial penalty that Fernandes gratefully tucked away to Amorim’s immense relief.
“I was frustrated like any Man United fan, we had chances to score more goals. But today we were the better team,” Amorim said.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock described it as a “get out of jail card” for United.
“They have been poor in the second half and Burnley have been the better side and looked very comfortable,” he said on ‘Final Score’.
“That is a moment that could change United’s season and give them that bit of momentum.”
CHELSEA ‘GETS AWAY WITH MURDER’ IN ‘RIDICULOUS’ VAR CONTROVERSY
Elsewhere, Chelsea took advantage of VAR controversy to beat Fulham 2-0 and go top of the table as the visitors were left to rue a series of costly decisions awarded against them at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca’s side, who have seven points from three games, were fortunate not to fall behind in the west London derby when Fulham were harshly denied a first-half opener.
Josh King’s strike was ruled out after VAR deemed Rodrigo Muniz’s accidental collision with Trevoh Chalobah was worthy of a foul.
“I’m fuming and I’m a defender and usually I’m on the side of the defender,” former Premier League defender Curtis Davies said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Trevor Chalobah has gone for a tackle that was never in his favour. Rodrigo Muniz takes the ball and accidentally steps on his foot. I don’t know how that’s a foul, never mind taking off the goal.
“It’s ridiculous.”
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, meanwhile, said Chalobah “got away with murder”.
“I think the fact he stayed on the floor sold it to them to go and have a look,” he added.
As if that wasn’t infuriating enough for Fulham boss Marco Silva, Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead beyond the scheduled eight minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Adding to Silva’s anger, Chelsea’s second goal was also VAR-influenced as Ryan Sessegnon was adjudged to have handled a cross, leading to Enzo Fernandez converting from the penalty spot.
“How you disallow a goal like that is unbelievable,” Silva later told TNT Sports after the game.
“We have meetings with referee and people in charge, we all want to win. VAR is not here to re-referee the game.
“I would prefer not to say something more because I would be punished. I want to be on the touchline next week to help my team, I don’t want to be fined.
“But it has been a difficult start to the season with some decisions.”
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OTHER RESULTS AROUND THE PREMIER LEAGUE
Meanwhile, Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by Bournemouth to end Thomas Frank’s strong start since he arrived from Brentford to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou in the close-season.
Spurs had won their first two league games under the Dane without conceding a goal, including a 2-0 win at Manchester City last weekend.
But Evanilson struck in the fifth minute with a deflected shot as Bournemouth left north London with their second win this term.
Jack Grealish starred as Everton beat Wolves 3-2 at Molineux. Beto headed Everton in front from Grealish’s flick after seven minutes before Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan levelled in the 21st minute.
Iliman Ndiaye restored Everton’s advantage in the 33rd minute, applying the finishing touch to a flowing move involving on-loan Manchester City winger Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
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Dewsbury-Hall bagged Everton’s third, blasting home from Grealish’s pass in the 55th minute before Rodrigo Gomes reduced the deficit in the 79th minute.
Newcastle again badly missed the presence of a striker in their second 0-0 of the season away to Leeds.
New club record signing Nick Woltemade watched on from the stands after joining from Stuttgart on Saturday, which could see the wantaway Alexander Isak get his wish of a move to Liverpool.
Newcastle remain without a win this season.
Sunderland staged an impressive fightback to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Stadium of Light thanks to Wilson Isidor’s stoppage time header.