Blues Edge Closer to Champions League as Red Devils’ Woes Continue Before Europa League Final
Chelsea kept their Champions League dreams alive with a nervy 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Marc Cucurella’s second-half header. The win extends Chelsea’s unbeaten home streak in 2025 to 10 games, piling pressure on their top-four rivals while deepening United’s misery ahead of next week’s Europa League final.
Despite fielding a strong lineup just five days before their season-defining clash in Bilbao, United struggled to find their rhythm early. Chelsea should have taken the lead inside 10 minutes when Noni Madueke fluffed a golden chance, slicing Cole Palmer’s cutback over the bar. Moments later, United thought they had struck first through Harry Maguire’s slick finish—only for VAR to rule it out by the slimmest of offside margins.
The Blues grew into the game, with Reece James rattling the post from distance before Palmer forced a sharp save from Andre Onana. But United’s counterattacks remained dangerous, with Mason Mount—facing his former club—squandering a chance after a clever Amad Diallo run. Bruno Fernandes also blazed over in frustration after a slick United move, summing up their night in front of goal.
Chelsea’s desperation for three points only intensified after Aston Villa’s earlier win over Tottenham, and they finally broke through in the 68th minute. James twisted past his marker and whipped in a perfect cross for Cucurella, who thundered a header past Onana to send Stamford Bridge into delirium. Madueke should have sealed it soon after but skied another sitter, leaving Chelsea sweating until the final whistle.
United pushed for an equalizer, with Amad forcing Robert Sanchez into a late save, but the Blues held firm to leapfrog into fourth. For Erik ten Hag’s side, the defeat extends their worst-ever Premier League winless run (eight games)—a dismal streak they’ll need to quickly forget before facing Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final.
For Chelsea, the dream of Champions League football is now in their hands. For United, only victory in Bilbao can salvage their season from disaster.
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