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 0-0 Man United
33 mins: Chelsea are getting a real grip on this game now.
A lot of the Chelsea threat is coming through Madueke, who once again dances down the left and wins a corner off Casemiro.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
32 mins: Fernandes kicks through Caicedo and ends up in the book.
From the free-kick, Chelsea immediately give away possession.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
28 mins: Big appeals for a penalty as Enzo Fernandez volleys one onto the hand of Hojlund.
Given the close proximity and attempts to keep him arm as close to the body as possible, that won’t be overturned by VAR. No penalty.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
24 mins: OFF THE POST! That would have been SPECIAL from Reece James!
Madueke drives down the wing and cuts back a cross that goes all the way through to James on the edge of the box.
There, the right-back puts his laces through a beauty of a half-volley, travelling for the far corner, only for it to ricochet off the woodwork.
'Harry Maguire is one of the best finishers in this United squad'
A disallowed goal but a fine volley to suggest that, after Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire is one of the best finishers in this United squad.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20 mins: Chelsea are looking seriously shaky at the moment.
After VAR provided a reprieve, they have nearly gifted United a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, only for the run of the ball to go the hosts’ way.
NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
17 mins: It’s chalked off. Maguire is just offside.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man United (Maguire, 16')
It’s that man again!
United have dominated the ball so far, and they’ve been rewarded for it.
A superb cross into the box is prodded home by Maguire, who notches yet another strike!
But wait - there’s an offside check going on...
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
15 mins: Header falls short from Colwill allowing United to switch it and break. Dorgu receives it on the left and wins a corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
12 mins: George catches Maguire in the face and the referee stops play for a head injury. Another drop ball for the Blues.
Play restarts and James nearly makes a mess of passing out from the back, ricocheting the ball of a United shirt and having hold off the chase to clear.
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