Marc Cucurella was once again Chelsea’s hero as his headed goal earned a potentially season-defining 1-0 win over Manchester United just as his side’s Champions League hopes looked to be slipping away.
With 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge the Blues were set to head into the final day of the Premier League season with their top-five fate out of their hands, with more poor finishing seemingly condemning them to two crucial points dropped and a third straight season out of Europe’s top competition.
News that Aston Villa had beaten Tottenham in the earlier kick-off and had leapt ahead of Enzo Maresca’s side only added to the tension amongst home fans, which turned to frustration as the enormity of their team’s predicament came grimly into focus.
What a season in front of goal for Marc! 👏#CFC | #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/kvehFRKl9A
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 16, 2025
Then appeared in the box the ebullient, untameable Cucurella, by far Chelsea’s most improved player in the last 12 months and the scorer this season of seven goals – though none as valuable as this – slipping his man to head Reece James’ cross past Andre Onana in the 71st minute and redeem a desperate situation.
A win away to Nottingham Forest next Sunday will confirm a top-five finish.
Chelsea were the better team in the first half, for what that was worth against a United side that had lost five of their last seven in the league and had not won in two months.
Maresca had recently lamented his side’s wastefulness in front of goal this season – the Blues had the second-highest number of big chances missed in the league before kick-off – and Noni Madueke presented the latest.
A brilliant burst through the midfield by Moises Caicedo began the move, knocking the ball centrally to Cole Palmer whose cross to the back post was met first time by Madueke but with the exactitude only to hoist the ball high into the Shed End.
👊 @HarryMaguire93#MUFC || #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/EQrlTQtEH1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 16, 2025
A fractional VAR call then saved Chelsea when Harry Maguire was judged to have strayed offside by inches before turning Bruno Fernandes’ pass beyond Robert Sanchez.
Mason Mount, on his first start on the ground against the club he represented for 12 years, drew taunts from home fans when his first-time shot bobbled out of play for a throw-in, before his former academy team-mate James had a thunderous 20-yard effort thud against a post.
The flag spared Enzo Fernandez his blushes when he skied over with the goal gaping after Onana had made a feeble job of handling Palmer’s bending shot. Replays showed Fernandez probably was offside, but the moment did nothing to alleviate Maresca’s anxieties about his team’s ability to convert chances.
VAR intervened this time on United’s side midway through the second half. Tyrique George tumbled as Onana raced out to meet him in pursuit of a through-ball. Referee Chris Kavanagh said penalty but a pitchside review confirmed the goalkeeper had made no contact.
What a three points for Chelsea!!
They move back up to fourth with one match remaining in their push for Champions League qualification!#CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/ZbOnCcBIJO
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 16, 2025
Then, finally, relief for Chelsea. Pedro Neto played the ball back to James, who with a balletic pirouette corkscrewed away from Alejandro Garnacho and whipped an irresistible cross to where Cucurella was arriving, the defender’s thumped header flashing past Onana into the corner.
Madueke then penned a footnote to his personal anthology of missed chances, slicing wide when clean through on goal.
Sanchez produced a good near-post stop to keep out Amad Diallo, the only moment in the second half when United really threatened.
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Forward Kosuke Kinoshita has scored 6 goals for the team so far this season and is the top scorer of the team. He is still the best choice to start in this game.2. Sanfrecce Hiroshima drew 0-0 with Shimizu S-Pulse in their last game, ending their winning streak. However, the team have achieved an unbeaten record of 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 matches, sho...
[(Mallorca) Strength]: 1. Mallorca finished 10th in La Liga last season. This season, there have been few changes in their squad, and they have the potential to challenge for a place in European competitions. Facing FC Barcelona, despite knowing there is a gap in strength, Mallorca are striving to earn points and keep unbeaten, so they are motivated.2. Mallorca have signed new players in the summe...
[(Tottenham Hotspur F.C.) Strength]: 1. This time playing at home, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. are determined to win and secure a victorious start to the new season, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. underwent significant changes during the offseason, appointing Thomas Frank as their new head coach while bolstering the squad with quality signings including Mohammed Kud...
[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Strength]: 1. This is the first round of the new season's league. Sunderland A.F.C., playing at home, are determined to strive for a win to secure a good start. Their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda both scored double-digit goals in the league last season. In the new season, the two will still be important attacking forces for the team.3. S...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal are playing at home in the first game of the new season in the league and surely hope to have a good start. Their fighting spirit is very strong.2. Ayoze Perez scored 19 goals for Villarreal in the league last season, demonstrating an outstanding individual performance.3. During the off-season, Villarreal signed midfielders Alberto Moleiro, Tajon Buchanan and...
[(Kashima Antlers) Strength]: 1. Kashima Antlers currently have the same 47 points as Kashiwa Reysol, but they are at the top of the table by virtue of goal difference. The team are determined to secure all three points in this match to consolidate their top position and are highly motivated.2. Kyosuke Tagawa performed well in the last game. He scored the only goal of the match and helped his team...
[(Girona) Strength]: 1. This match marks the opening game of the new La Liga season. Girona, playing at home, are bound to strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In the latest warm-up match against SSC Napoli, Christian Stuani scored two goals, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Girona played two warm-up matches at home during the off-season and a...
[(Liverpool F.C.) Strength]: 1. Liverpool F.C. won the English Premier League title last season and naturally are eager to defend their title in the new season. In the first match against AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool F.C. are striving for victory and have a high fighting spirit.2. Liverpool F.C. striker Mohamed Salah scored 29 goals in the English Premier League last season and won the Golden Boot.3...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arteta the Upper Moon 2nd Champions Badges 2010 PSG DEFEATED Every Traditional "PL Top 6" Team in 2025 – Except Manchester United & Chelsea! "WAIT. THIS IS A CLASSIC.. I'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE!" Ballon d'Or... PSG BEAT SPURS TO WIN THE UEFA SUPER CUP Make that 5 trophies this year Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun ...
Isak goes on STRIKE amid ongoing Liverpool pursuitAlexander Isak is refusing to play in Newcastle United's Premier League opener against Aston Villa amid his desperation to join Liverpool this summer.According to the Daily Mail, Isak, 25, has made himself unavailable for the Magpies' trip to Villa Park on Saturday as the saga surrounding his future looks set to continue. The Sweden international h...
- 1 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 2 Ex-PL ace's wife's shower video gives insight into life of luxury
- 3 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 4 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 5 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 6 Juventus Eye Fresh Bid for Chelsea Defender Renato Veiga, But Serie A Club Must First Sell Ex-Newcastle Star
- 7 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 8 TIPS - FC Kaiserslautern VS Schalke 04
- 9 Arsenal announce Ethan Nwaneri contract extension: This is where I feel at home...
- 10 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka