Chelsea vs Manchester United LIVE: Blues seal imperative victory with top five place at stake
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Enzo Maresca’s collected a crucial three points to keep themselves inside the Champions League places
Marc Cucurella’s invaluable header proved the difference as Chelsea emerged with an imperative win over struggling Manchester United to keep their Champions League destiny in their own hands.
Man United thought they had the lead when Harry Maguire volleyed home from a delightful Bruno Fernandes cross in the first half, only to be ruled a shoulder offside by VAR.
Chelsea continued to be frustrated despite growing into the game, with Reece James coming closest in the first half with a stunning effort that struck the post.
But it was James who inspired the eventual winner, pirouetting on the edge of the box before picking out Cucurella who headed home, putting Chelsea on course to a victory that maintained their place in the top five.
They now need just one more win - on the final day - to ensure Champions League qualification for next term, with Aston Villa breathing down their neck after beating Tottenham earlier in the evening.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
83 mins: Lovely turn by Madueke to try and get away from Mazraoui and Lindelof but he gets eased down by the Swede as the ball runs out for a goal-kick.
Not enough for a foul, deems the ref.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
81 mins: Romeo Lavia is entering fray as Tyrique George makes way. A defensive change, taking off a player who hasn’t had a huge amount of impact on this game.
Mainoo and Heaven are also on for United, with Fernandes and Shaw coming off.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
79 mins: SAVE! This is not over yet for Chelsea.
Diallo threatens once again down the right and cuts into the box before letting fly towards the near post - Sanchez has to react sharply and gets down well to save.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
77 mins: United try breaking up the other end but James just eases Garnacho off the ball and leaves the winger in a heap.
Chelsea had been frustrated for so long in this game. Now, it’s all going their way.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
74 mins: CHANCE! It should be two for Chelsea!
Madueke runs in on goal but slices his shot as it loops over the bar.
That could’ve settled all the nerves.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Man United (Cucurella, 71')
A HUGE GOAL IN CHELSEA’S SEASON!
It’s all about Reece James, who pirouettes on the edge of the box before dinking a cross towards Cucurella in space.
The Spaniard nods it beyond Onana as Stamford Bridge ERUPTS! The importance of that goal could be seismic.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
70 mins: Mason Mount is booed as he comes off. He and Casemiro make way for Ugarte and Garnacho.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
69 mins: Amad Diallo goes down in the box, and unlike with Tyrique George, there’s no doubt in the mind of Chris Kavanagh over whether that was a dive.
Diallo is in the book. Zero contact.
'United putting in one of their better performances'
In one respect, United have a lot to play for, with places in the Europa League final at stake. But in the Premier League, they have nothing to play for. And thus, illogically, are putting in one of their better performances.
But then they actually have done well in some of the supposedly tougher tests this season. Look at their results away at Liverpool, City and Arsenal (in the FA Cup).
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