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Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd: Blues give Champions League hopes huge boost as United lose again
The Blues can take a huge step towards Champions League qualification tonight.
Chelsea have taken a huge step towards Champions League qualification with a narrow victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
With Aston Villa sealing victory over Tottenham the same evening, the Blues needed a win of their own to remain in the top five in their penultimate game of the season.
Marc Cucurella gave the hosts the breakthrough after 71 minutes, latching onto Reece James’ brilliant cross to head past Andre Onana.
The win moves them into fourth place with Manchester City – in FA Cup final action on Saturday – slipping down to sixth as a result of those wins for Chelsea and Villa.
Chelsea head to Nottingham Forest, also still in the Champions League race, on the final day of the season next week.
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Even with the Europa League final against Tottenham just five days away, Ruben Amorim opted to name a strong starting XI on Friday night which included Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo – all expected to start in Bilbao next week.
Building some momentum ahead of that final was behind the manager’s thinking but his side turned in another turgid and uninspired Premier League performance as they recorded their 18th defeat of the season.
Harry Maguire thought he gave the visitors the lead after a bright start to the contest, producing a slick finish to convert Fernandes’ cross.
The England international was judged to have been offside with United failing to trouble the Chelsea backline beyond that with Rasmus Hojlund again anonymous up front.
United will head into the final week of the season in 16th place, facing Villa at home next Sunday.
