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:
Here come the players...
Moments away from the second half getting underway.
The big question will be whether Reece James is able to continue after suffering a late injury in the first 45.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
And that’s the first half! A stalemate at Stamford Bridge so far.
Man United thought they had the lead when Harry Maguire volleyed home from a delightful Bruno Fernandes cross, only to be ruled a shoulder offside by VAR.
Chelsea got a stronger grip on the game as the half continued, with Reece James coming closest with a stunning effort that struck the post.
With Aston Villa 2-0 up in the other game of the evening, the Blues need a big second half here.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
45+4 mins: That’s a new one! Before the corner was taken, Hojlund was pulling the shirt of Colwill so much that he took his shirt off.
After about a minute of delaying, Neto plays it short to Palmer which leads to another corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
45+1 mins: FIVE minutes added on in the first half.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
45 mins: SAVE! Cole Palmer bends one towards the top corner and Onana claws it away, but only into the path of Enzo Fernandez - who from a few yards out, SKIES the rebound!
His head sharply snaps towards towards the linesman praying for the flag, which he gets. He was miles offside. If he wasn’t, that was miss of the season.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
44 mins: Play is back underway and James looks like he can continue.
Whether he stays on beyond half-time is yet to be seen.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
42 mins: Now this is a concern for Chelsea.
Reece James and Patrick Dorgu go down after James lands on Dorgu’s foot. It’s a sore one for Dorgu, but James looks like he’s rolled his ankle.
This would be so, so cruel given the nature of how it happened. Such tough luck with injuries.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
40 mins: Chelsea trying to succeed with a bit of patient build-up but they’re not getting through.
Caicedo then goes for a cute but ambitious dink through to Madueke that doesn’t come off and bounces through to Onana.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
36 mins: Chelsea might be improving, but they’re being frustrated by United. Neto did just have a half-chance as he drove into the box but his effort went straight into the gloves of Onana.
And things, as it happens, aren’t going Chelsea’s way at Villa Park either. Aston Villa now lead against Spurs, Ezri Konsa after an hour.
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