Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Premier League result as Marc Cucurella heads home to boost Blues Champions League charge

Enzo Maresca’s side have climbed up to fourth place in the Premier League table thanks to a 1-0 win over Manchester United courtesy of a goal from Marc Cucurella.

Ruben Amorim's side thought they had taken the lead after 16 minutes when Harry Maguire smartly converted a Bruno Fernandes cross from close range, but after a VAR review, it was ruled out for offside.

Chelsea started the match slowly but grew into it and with 25 minutes on the clock, Reece James came agonisingly close to firing Chelsea ahead with a sensational volley from distance, which smacked the outside of the post.    

Chelsea were awarded a penalty on the hour mark after Tyrique George appeared to have been fouled by Andre Onana, but the penalty was overturned following a VAR review, which showed there was minimal contact.

Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings and with 20 minutes to go, Marc Cucurella fired Chelsea into the lead with a goal that could prove to be huge in the context of Chelsea’s season. The superb James did brilliantly to swivel on the ball before firing in a delicious cross, and Cucurella was on hand to thump a header past Onana.

Less than two minutes later, Noni Madueke squandered a golden opportunity to double Chelsea’s advantage, latching onto Cole Palmer’s pass with only Onana to beat from close range, but the 23-year-old could only slice his effort wide of the target.

Chelsea continued to control the match, limiting United to just one shot on target all evening.

It's a victory that gives Chelsea's hunt for UEFA Champions League qualification a huge boost, moving them to 66 points and leaving it in their own hands going into a huge final game against Nottingham Forest.

For Man Utd, it's another defeat. Up next in the Premier League for Ruben Amorim's side is Aston Villa, a match which will be their final chance to reach 40 points in the league this season.

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On a night where Chelsea dropped out of the top five, Chelsea end the evening in the top four on 66 points and leave the chase for a UEFA Champions League spot in their own hands on MD38 vs Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea will travel to the City Ground on Sunday, May 25 for the final match of the Premier League season, before taking on Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final just three days later.

For United, it's yet another defeat, their 18th in the league this season. The Red Devils have a UEFA Europa League final against Spurs on the agenda, but even that can't excuse how poor this campaign has been.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

Marc Cucurella's goal was the difference at Stamford Bridge in a victory that has given Chelsea's Champions League ambitions a huge boost.

Cole Palmer bursts forward on the break before feeding Malo Gusto to go through on goal but the defender just runs out of legs and hits the deck.

Chelsea win a free kick right by the corner flag and opt to keep the ball in the corner, just a couple more minutes for the Blues to run down to secure all three points.

Malo Gusto is on for Pedro Neto.

There will be a minimum of seven minutes added on at the end of this one.

Chelsea are just trying to manage the game now, keeping the ball in the corner and trying to run down the clock.

It's the hosts who are applying all the pressure here as they look to double their lead. Manchester United meanwhile are looking very much like a team who have lost 17 Premier League matches this season.

Cole Palmer finds Noni Madueke with a brilliant pass, leaving the Chelsea attacker with only Onana to beat from close range but he slices his effort horribly wide.

Thanks to Cucurella's goal, Enzo Maresca's side have jumped from sixth into fourth place.

Chelsea have taken the lead and what an important goal that could prove to be in their season! Reece James does superbly to swivel on the ball before hooking in a great cross and Marc Cucurella was on hand to thump home a header.

Amad is booked.

Mason Mount and Casemiro are off for Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte.

Mazraoui is booked.

As suspected, the referee has overturned the decision to award the penalty.

This penalty decision should and probably will be overturned. Andre Onana barely makes any contact with George who throws himself to the floor.

Tyrique George goes down after a challenge from Onana and the referee has awarded a penalty.

Manchester United are yet to register a single shot on target in the opening 56 minutes at Stamford Bridge, whilst Chelsea's only shot on target was in the first half.