Chelsea Defeat Manchester United to Reclaim Champions League Spot, Push City to Europa League
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four on Friday night with a crucial 1–0 victory over a lacklustre Manchester United, thanks to a second-half strike from Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had temporarily dropped out of the UEFA Champions League qualification zone after Aston Villa beat Tottenham earlier in the evening. But with this result, London team surged back into fourth place — for now pushing Manchester City into the UEFA Europa League spot.
Pep Guardiola’s side will now need to beat AFC Bournemouth on May 20 to leapfrog Villa and regain their place in Europe’s elite competition. The pressure is on, as any slip-up could see City miss out on the Champions League for the first time in over a decade.
2024-25, England - Premier League
Chelsea - Manchester United 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Cucurella, 71 (1:0)
Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Adarabioyo; Colwill; James R.; Cucurella; Fernandez E.; Madueke; Palmer Co.; Caicedo M.; George (Lavia, 81); Pedro Neto (Gusto, 90)
Bench: Jörgensen F.; Bettinelli; Badiashile B.; Chalobah; Acheampong J. K.; Dewsbury-Hall
Yellow Cards: Palmer Co. 90
Manchester United: Onana A.; Lindelöf; Maguire; Dorgu; Shaw L. (Heaven, 81); Mazraoui; Mount (Garnacho, 70); Fernandes B. (Mainoo, 81); Casimiro (Ugarte, 70); Höjlund R.; Diallo
Bench: Bayındır; Amass; Fredricson T.; Collier; Eriksen C.
Yellow Cards: Fernandes B. 31; Casimiro 47; Mazraoui 65; Diallo 69; Heaven 90; Ugarte 90
