THE NOTEBOOK: Man United star Marcus Rashford is dropped for the first time in 2024, Chelsea shoot themselves in the foot despite late heroics… and the Blues pay tribute to a legendary figure

Chelsea played host to Manchester United on Thursday night at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues somehow coming out on top in one of the games of the season thanks to hat-trick hero Cole Palmer. 

Conor Gallagher had got the home side off to the perfect start with a goal inside four minutes, before Palmer doubled the ascendancy from the penalty spot 15 minutes later.  

Yet the Red Devils fought back well, and by half-time it was level again courtesy of a five-minute double salvo from the visitors, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes among the goals. 

Antony then set up Garnacho with a stunning outside-of-the-boot pass across the backline of Chelsea for the Argentine international to head home and make it 3-2, before Palmer struck in the 100th and 101st minutes and complete a dramatic comeback.

Here, Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill takes you through some of the stories you might have missed from Stamford Bridge. 

Alejandro Garnacho scored twice for United as the Red Devils fought back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 

But Cole Palmer struck in the 100th and 101st minutes to secure a staggering win for Chelsea

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RASHFORD AXED AFTER CRITICISM 

For the first time in 2024, Marcus Rashford was dropped for a Premier League match as Antony started on the right wing instead. 

At the stadium where Arjen Robben was unstoppable at cutting inside on to his left foot, Antony also showed his knack for that on occasion as he led Marc Cucurella inside.

Rashford’s dropping followed his brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, hitting out at Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand for generating what he called ‘clickbait’ stories about the Manchester United forward via the Stick to Football podcast. 

Neville had said there is something ‘not right’ with Rashford while Ferdinand suggested he needs the ‘right people’ around him. 

Maynard responded on Instagram on Thursday: ‘I completely understand podcasts and how they work but if you have genuine concerns, pick up the phone.’ 

Marcus Rashford was axed from the team for the first time in 2024 with Antony starting on the right

RECORD-BREAKING BLUES 

Chelsea are believed to have set a new record for the Premier League’s priciest ticket by charging £5,000 per person if you wanted a padded seat directly behind the home team’s dugout. 

Available for purchase on their website, it was quite the asking price for a close-up view of the back of Mauricio Pochettino’s head. 

As well as witnessing a cracker, at least those with more money than sense took home a signed Chelsea shirt as a perk of the package they purchased.

WILKINS WAS ONE OF A KIND 

‘They don’t make them like Ray anymore,’ read the banner at Stamford Bridge.

It was fitting that this fixture between Chelsea and Manchester United fell on April 4, the anniversary of the passing of Ray Wilkins in 2018.

A banner was seen at Stamford Bridge paying tribute to Ray Wilkins on Thursday evening

PROBLEMS OF CHELSEA’S OWN CREATION

There were six Chelsea players in the box and only two for Manchester United when Bruno Fernandes equalised, and yet he had a free header. 

Defensively, Pochettino’s players do not help themselves, with £115million Moises Caicedo summing up their horrific habit for shooting themselves in the foot with that back pass.

NOT-SO-WARM WELCOME FOR MOUNT 

Mason Mount’s return to Stamford Bridge saw him booed by Chelsea supporters. ‘He left ’cause you’re s***,’ went the chant from the Manchester United end. 

Much more catchy than: ‘He left ’cause he represented pure profit for you last summer.’ 

In the end, this was an evening to forget for Mount. He came on when United were leading 3-2 and left as a 4-3 loser. 

Mason Mount was unsurprisingly jeered and booed as he made his way out onto the pitch

CHELSEA FINALISING PURCHASE 

Chelsea are currently in the process of finalising their purchase of the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions which overlook Stamford Bridge. 

Believed to be worth £80m, it is a deal which has courted controversy because some veterans will be forced out of their homes, and one tenant has shown their allegiance by covering their window with Arsenal memorabilia.

OLD STADIUM PLAN IN THE DUST 

Speaking of stadium news, Chelsea’s ownership have stayed silent on whether they want a complete rebuild of Stamford Bridge, a stand-by-stand redevelopment, or a move to a new site. 

Whatever direction they decide to go in, those artistic designs we all saw of a Westminster Abbey-inspired stadium are unlikely to ever come to fruition. 

That is because Mail Sport has learned that Herzog & de Meuron – the architects previously appointed to create a ‘cathedral of football’ by the old ownership – have not heard from the club since the takeover.

Chelsea’s ownership have stayed silent on whether they want a complete rebuild of Stamford Bridge, a stand-by-stand redevelopment, or a move to a new site

AN UNLIKELY TOP SCORER  

Donnell McNeilly’s involvement in the Chelsea first team’s training sessions was noticeable over the international break. 

The 18-year-old is under contract until 2025, but Chelsea know this is a starlet who needs tying down, with his 24 goals in all competitions this season making him the club’s overall top scorer among their men’s, women’s and academy sides.