Marc Cucurella kept Chelsea’s hopes of earning UEFA Champions League qualification alive as his goal earned a huge 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Cucurella popped up with a 71st-minute header to move Enzo Maresca’s team up to fourth in the Premier League table, on what looked to be a frustrating night for the hosts.
After Harry Maguire had a goal ruled out for offside following a VAR review in the first half, Chelsea had a penalty overturned after the break when Tyrique George went down under Andre Onana’s challenge, but a pitchside review also overturned that decision.
But the Blues got the goal they needed through Cucurella’s powerful finish, and they should have doubled their lead soon after, only for Noni Madueke to fire wide.
The result moves Chelsea up to 66 points, level with Aston Villa, after their win over Tottenham Hotspur earlier on Friday, and Newcastle United. The Red Devils, meanwhile, stay 16th.
How the match unfolded
Maguire thought he had steered United ahead in the 16th minute after planting Bruno Fernandes’s pinpoint cross past Robert Sanchez, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review as he had just set off too early.
Chelsea responded promptly to that disallowed goal, with Reece James’s stunning volley from the edge of the box clipping the left-hand post from just outside of the area.
The Blues then believed they had a chance to take the lead from the spot just after the hour, after George tumbled under the challenge of Onana. Referee Chris Kavanagh initially awarded a penalty but was sent to the monitor for an on-field review before changing his decision.
But Chelsea got their goal in the 71st minute when a sensational turn and cross by James was met by Cucurella, who powerfully headed home his fifth Premier League goal of the season.
Madueke should have put the game to bed just over a minute later, but he was unable to hit the target after collecting Cole Palmer’s clever pass.
Blues edge closer to Champions League dream
Ahead of kick-off on Friday, Maresca revealed the target given to him was to have Chelsea playing Champions League football within two years of his appointment, but the Italian has the Blues ahead of schedule.
Chelsea threatened Onana’s goal within the first five minutes when Palmer’s exquisite ball into the box found Madueke, who could only blaze over from close range.
And there were groans around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea persisted in trying to play out from the back in the first half, something which Man Utd nullified but were unable to capitalise on.
The offside flag then spared Enzo Fernandez’s blushes as he blazed over from inside the six-yard box after Onana parried away Palmer’s effort. When news of Villa’s win over Spurs filtered through in the second half, nerves started to creep in.
But Cucurella proved to be the man of the hour for Chelsea, rising highest to meet James’s fine cross into the box, though matters should have been made easier when Madueke was played through, but he slipped as he took aim.
Chelsea will now prepare for another huge match at Nottingham Forest on the final day, before preparing for a European final of their own in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Real Betis on 28 May.
More league misery for United
Ruben Amorim’s team knew the importance of a confidence-boosting performance ahead of their season-defining UEFA Europa League final against Spurs next Wednesday, but their league troubles continued at Stamford Bridge.
United had started well when an interception by James took the ball away from Mason Mount after he was nearly picked out by Fernandes’ inch-perfect pickout. Maguire’s disallowed strike soon after showed the threat the Red Devils possessed against Chelsea’s possession-based style.
With Chelsea needing a win, Man Utd could sense the nervousness in their play, and Mount almost netted against his former team early in the second half, but skewed his effort wide of Sanchez’s far post from Amad’s cutback.
Fernandes then fired over as Amad continued to prove United’s liveliest player, forcing a strong save from Sanchez after cutting in from the right, but that was about as good as it got for the visitors.
Man Utd are now winless in their last eight Premier League matches since a 3-0 win over Leicester City in March, their longest-ever run in the competition.
They will have to dust themselves down, though, with just five days to prepare for their European showpiece in Bilbao before they finish the league season at home to Villa.
Club reports
Chelsea report | Man Utd report
Match officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Assistants: Lee Betts, Scott Ledger. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: Craig Pawson. Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton.
