Manchester United took a massive stride towards securing a return to the Champions League as Matheus Cunha’s first-half goal proved enough to beat out-of-form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s own hopes of a place at European club football’s top table are in peril as they suffered fourth Premier League defeat in a row for only the second time this century.
They have failed to score in any of those losses and have not found the net since 4 March.
Yet Chelsea will wonder how they managed to extend that sorry record this evening.
Three times – through Estevao, who went off with his second hamstring injury in a month after 16 minutes, Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana – Liam Rosenior’s side saw chances come back off the woodwork.
The home side had more possession, shots and shots on target. Their expected goals (xG) was also higher.
But it was the visitors who came away with the points as Bruno Fernandes’ cut-back was clinically dispatched by Cunha’s first-time strike.
It was Fernandes’ 18th assist in the league this season, two short of equalling the Premier League record.
United fans celebrated only a second league win at Stamford Bridge since 2002 almost as enthusiastically as they booed Alejandro Garnacho on his first appearance against his old club.
The home supporters broke into a “we want our Chelsea back” chant, although Mason Mount’s introduction for the latter stages gave them someone to jeer as well.
