Chelsea kept their Champions League hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United on Friday night, thanks to a decisive goal from Spanish defender Marc Cucurella.
The full-back nodded in from close range in the 71st minute, converting a pinpoint cross from skipper Reece James, who dazzled the United backline with a slick twist and turn before delivering the ball.
“I knew I had space and time. I knew I put the ball in a good area, this guy was always arriving,” James told Sky Sports, standing alongside Cucurella after the match. Earlier in the game, James had struck the post with a powerful effort, moments after United’s Harry Maguire found the net, only for VAR to chalk it off due to a marginal offside call.
Although Chelsea looked nervous at times, they largely dominated the encounter while United struggled to create meaningful opportunities.
The win pushed Chelsea into fourth place on the Premier League table, leapfrogging Aston Villa, who had earlier defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. Both clubs now have just one game remaining in the season.
“The Champions League is where the club belongs, competing in the best competitions,” added James. Securing a top-five finish has been Chelsea’s objective since Enzo Maresca assumed managerial duties at the start of the campaign.
At the final whistle, a wave of relief swept through Maresca, his coaching staff, and the fans, who erupted in celebration. The Stamford Bridge crowd was treated to a lap of honour from the team in what marked their final home fixture of the season.
Chelsea now face a crucial away match at Nottingham Forest, currently seventh and still in the hunt for European qualification, next weekend.
As for Manchester United, their hopes now rest on next Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham. After a disappointing domestic season, they sit 16th in the league standings.