Manchester United players clash with Chelsea groundstaff after Stamford Bridge defeat

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Chelsea recorded their 81st game unbeaten at home - a run stretching back to February 2004 - to draw level on 81 points with their opponents Manchester United with just two games remaining to keep the Premier League title race alive.

Though in the wake of this defeat, several Manchester United players couldn't contain their anger....


Manchester United players clash with Chelsea groundstaff after Stamford Bridge defeat

27th April 2008
Daily Mail

Premier League

Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United (At Stamford Bridge, west London. Attendance: 41,828 )

Premier League, Top 5 (out of 20 teams)

1) Manchester United - 81 points
2) Chelsea - 81
3) Arsenal - 74
4) Liverpool - 70
5) Everton - 61

Police could be called in to probe a post-match bust up between Manchester United players and groundstaff after their shock defeat to Chelsea.

United's Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, John O'Shea, Gerard Pique and Gary Neville were taking part in the warm-down on the pitch when they were asked to move by Chelsea groundstaff.

But when the players refused to come off the pitch, an altercation broke out between the stewards, grounstaff and United stars.


The footballers and stewards got into a fight after Chelsea's victory


Manchester United's Patrice Evra scuffles with a Chelsea groundsman during the warm down session


The row quickly escalated and, despite Chelsea denying anyone from the club was involved, pictures showed a member of the groundstaff apparently aiming a punch at Manchester United's French full-back Patrice Evra.

Evra, who was rested for the match ahead of United's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona, appears stunned by the attack.

Old Trafford reserve Danny Wellbeck allegedly had to step in to restrain him from retaliating.

Scholes looked astonished as Chelsea stewards tried to restore order in front of the stands, which moments earlier had seen ecstatic fans celebrating the last-gasp victory which would keep their Premier League title hopes alive.


The fight allegedly erupted when the Manchester United subs refused to leave the pitch


Police could be called in if an official complaint is made against the footballers

Chelsea managed to beat United 2-1 despite being the underdogs and are now level on points at the top of the Barclays Premier table.

The club is now set to examine CCTV footage of the incident after the game and then decide what action to take.

Police could also be called in if any of the groundstaff choose to make an official complaint.

A spokesman for the club said: "We will be studying the relevant CCTV and camera footage in a bid to establish the best and most appropriate course of action."


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