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The opening minutes of the match were frantic, with both sides creating early danger. Reece James, back in his natural right-back position, made a crucial goal-line clearance, while Noni Madueke squandered a golden opportunity at the other end—though he may have been slightly offside.
Neither team was able to fully take control of the game, with frequent turnovers leading to a fast-paced but low-quality first half. That drop in quality nearly led to a breakthrough for the visitors, but a goal was disallowed after Harry Maguire was found to be narrowly offside as the ball was delivered into the box. VAR intervened to cancel the goal.
The decision seemed to spark Chelsea into life, and Reece James came agonizingly close to scoring with a brilliant volley that smashed off the post, evading every defender and goalkeeper along the way. Minutes later, a controversial moment occurred when Rasmus Højlund appeared to stop a powerful shot from Enzo Fernández with his hand, but no penalty was given—highlighting confusion around the new handball rules.
Cole Palmer almost found luck just before the half-time whistle with a deflected strike, but fortune continues to elude Chelsea’s standout attacker.
The second half began much like the first—high energy but lacking in clinical execution. However, as news broke that Aston Villa were beating Spurs 2-0, Chelsea began to push harder. Tyrique George was involved in a possible penalty situation, but VAR overturned the initial decision, a marginal but likely correct call.
Then came the breakthrough. Around the 70th minute, a superb run and cross by Reece James was met with a powerful flying header by Marc Cucurella, giving Chelsea the deserved lead.
Palmer later set up Madueke with a brilliant chance to double the lead, but the winger blasted it over from close range in a disappointing miss.
With over 80 minutes played, Robert Sánchez was called into action to make a vital save from Amad Diallo, using his hands rather than his feet—a rare but timely intervention. Let’s not dwell on his distribution tonight.
Chelsea saw out the final moments without further mistakes, managing all nine minutes of added time comfortably, while Manchester United offered little in response.
There were a few changes to the starting XI from last week: Tosin replaced Chalobah, James came in for Lavia, and George filled in for the suspended Jackson.
Chelsea have now climbed to 4th place, narrowly ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference. Villa defeated Spurs 2-0 tonight. Manchester City won’t play until Tuesday (at home vs. Bournemouth), while Nottingham Forest host West Ham on Sunday and Newcastle visit Arsenal that evening.
Next match: the final game of the season. Chelsea will host Nottingham Forest, and the winner could earn a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.