Cucurella header boosts Chelsea's UCL hopes with win over Man United

Chelsea took a significant step towards securing Champions League football next season as Marc Cucurella’s second-half header sealed a crucial 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues needed all three points to keep a top-five finish within their control, but were made to work hard by a resilient United side on Friday night.

After a frustrating first half, it was Cucurella who made the breakthrough, nodding home Reece James’ pinpoint cross to lift Chelsea into fourth place in the Premier League.

They now sit above Aston Villa on goal difference and one point clear of sixth-placed Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

Despite having a Europa League final against Tottenham on Wednesday, United manager Ruben Amorim named a strong starting XI for the trip to west London.

The decision nearly paid off when Harry Maguire found the net with a superb volley in the first half, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

Chelsea came close to scoring before the break when Reece James struck the post with a curling effort.

The hosts were then awarded a penalty in the second half after Tyrique George went down under pressure from goalkeeper Andre Onana.

However, VAR overturned the decision, correctly showing Onana had reached the ball first.

The breakthrough finally arrived when James delivered a curling cross to the far post, where Cucurella rose to glance a header beyond Onana and spark celebrations among the home fans.

The Blues will now head to Nottingham Forest on the final day knowing that a win will secure Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 campaign.

For Amorim’s Manchester United, it was another disappointing result.

Their 18th defeat of the season leaves them 16th in the table, with one game remaining in a turbulent campaign.