By admin 
Marc Cucurella’s 71st-minute header gave Chelsea victory towards Manchester United of their closing residence match of the season and saved the Blues within the Champions League qualification locations within the Premier League.
Full-back Cucurella expertly guided within the winner from a deft supply by Reece James, who hit a publish from distance in the course of the first half.
England defender Harry Maguire had a masterful earlier end dominated out for offside, assembly Bruno Fernandes’ supply from the left with a thunderous first-time strike contained in the field earlier than his celebrations had been ultimately deemed futile following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and semi-automated offside verify.
Chelsea had been awarded a penalty for a problem by Andre Onana on Tyrique George after the break, just for a VAR evaluation to redeem United’s goalkeeper.
Marc Cucurella with a HUGE objective for Chelsea! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/LOfq65LIgt
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2025
Will Chelsea qualify for the Champions League?
Chelsea wanted to match Aston Villa’s win at home to Tottenham on Friday, which kicked off 45 minutes earlier, to remain above the Villans, who began the night in sixth place.
The end result strikes them degree on factors with third-placed Newcastle forward of a doubtlessly essential journey to Nottingham Forest of their closing sport of the marketing campaign on Might 25 (all closing fixtures kick off at 16:00 GMT).
Forest, who had been a degree behind Chelsea initially of play on Friday, go to West Ham on Sunday (14:15 GMT), and their encounter with Enzo Maresca’s facet might resolve which of the 2 golf equipment qualifies for the Champions League subsequent season.
Newcastle are away to Arsenal on Sunday (16:30) earlier than internet hosting Everton of their final sport of 2024/25. Villa go to United, whereas Manchester Metropolis, who are actually sixth, host Bournemouth on Tuesday (20:00) earlier than heading to Fulham.
Man United: Europa League closing awaits
United cannot finish higher than 13th after a dismal home marketing campaign that has included 18 league defeats, with Ruben Amorim unable to encourage his gamers to constant type because the Portuguese’s arrival in November.
The Pink Devils might have been forgiven for being distracted by their Europa League closing towards Spurs in Bilbao on Wednesday (20:00), with the prize of Champions League qualification for the winners.