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:
PENALTY! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
61 mins: Andre Onana brings Tyrique George down and Chris Kavanagh points to the spot!
Onana is laughing - and replays show that George has BARELY been touched. On-field review incoming.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
59 mins: Madueke does well as he drives for the line and chips one towards the head of Neto, who can’t get an effort away.
Dorgu then goes down holding his head and play stops, to the frustration of Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
56 mins: Another opportunity for United as Fernandes bends an effort over Sanchez’s crossbar from the edge of the box.
Chelsea are the team who need something tonight, but right now, it’s the visitors who are on top.
'Tyrique George has been anonymous'
Poor Tyrique George has been so anonymous that he is yet to pass to a teammate. Maybe Maresca should switch and put Neto up front. Or maybe use Palmer as a false nine. Or just something else because Chelsea have 35 minutes to find a goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
53 mins: It’s finished in Birmingham as Aston Villa reign 2-0 victors over Spurs to leapfrog Chelsea into fourth.
Chelsea have it all to do now.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
52 mins: CHANCE! That was the moment for Mount on his Chelsea homecoming!
Amad does really well attacking his man down the right before prodding it into the path of Mount in the box, who side-foots his effort across the face of goal and wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
50 mins: Now this is bizarre. Rasmus Hojlund has just ran to the touchline to take something off his wrist - it looked to maybe be a jewellery oversight?
Hojlund then has to stay out of the picture as United defend a Chelsea free-kick.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
49 mins: James hits it... and strikes the head of Fernandes, the strayed man in the wall.
Slight delay as he gets checked out.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
47 mins: Chelsea try and break early through Cole Palmer who drives through the middle towards the box.
His shirt is nipped at about three times by Casemiro and the ref finally blows to award a free-kick in a shootable position, plus a yellow for the Brazilian.
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