Chelsea vs Manchester United LIVE: Blues seal imperative victory with top five place at stake | OneFootball

✕

Close

We are going to try and finish well, make Champions League - Maresca

Marc Cucurella’s invaluable header proved the difference as Chelsea emerged with an imperative win over struggling Manchester United to keep their Champions League destiny in their own hands.

Man United thought they had the lead when Harry Maguire volleyed home from a delightful Bruno Fernandes cross in the first half, only to be ruled a shoulder offside by VAR.

Chelsea continued to be frustrated despite growing into the game, with Reece James coming closest in the first half with a stunning effort that struck the post.

But it was James who inspired the eventual winner, pirouetting on the edge of the box before picking out Cucurella who headed home, putting Chelsea on course to a victory that maintained their place in the top five.

They now need just one more win - on the final day - to ensure Champions League qualification for next term, with Aston Villa breathing down their neck after beating Tottenham earlier in the evening.

Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:

Chelsea go into the final day in control of their Champions League destiny

Next up: Nottingham Forest away.

Another team vying for Champions League qualification, it will all come down to the Premier League final day.

(Getty Images)

Will Castle17 May 2025 00:00

What went down at Villa Park?

Aston Villa boosted their hopes of a Champions League return after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham, who had more than one eye on Wednesday’s Europa League final.

Villa’s memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games.

This was probably the biggest home banker of the campaign given where Spurs’ focus lay, but Villa made hard work of it, needing second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara to get the job done.

However, Chelsea’s win over Manchester United later on Friday night means they have to win their final game of the season at Old Trafford and hope other teams, including Enzo Maresca’s side and Manchester City, drop points.

Will Castle16 May 2025 23:50

Reece James raring to be 'back where the club belongs'

"I think that's where the club belongs, in the Champions League,” he told Sky Sports. “Competing in the best competitions.

"People like to write us off and call us inexperienced. We played against a very experienced United team today. We were there and we won the game. We got what we needed to do."

(Getty Images)

Will Castle16 May 2025 23:30

Ruben Amorim reflects on another loss

"I think we started great, well but in the final third we needed to be a bit more aggressive,” Amorim told BBC Sport.

“We were there, we faced the game in the right way. It was a bit of bad luck today. Sometimes we want to press and to score a goal but we lost a little bit of concentration.

"It was different but you never like when you lose the game. We were competitive, that was clear.

"We have to prepare for each competition, with five days, we can rest. We have five days to prepare [for the Europa League final], two days to fully recover and then two days to prepare.

"Of course, we are excited to be in the final. Since day one the pressure has been there but I live quite well with the pressure. When you have the final of any cup, we show up so we are prepared for that."

Ruben Amorim confirms Man United avoid any injury scares ahead of Europa League final

"In the end I looked at all the players and I think they are ok,” Amorim told BBC Sport.

A rare positive for Man United.

Will Castle16 May 2025 23:05

Enzo Maresca offers post-match thoughts

"It was quite confident because I know how difficult it is to play against United,” he told Sky Sports.

"We expected a very tough game. They played very well. I was completely confident, overall, it was a game that we could have a good moment and score a goal.

"I used to watch five, six, seven games when we play against a team. I have never watched them [Man Utd] so aggressive - they were man to man, and it was very difficult.

"Off the ball I think we played a fantastic game. The team was very aggressive until the end, we tried to press higher, and I think we deserved to win the game.

"It is nice to work on some solutions and then you score.”