Chelsea vs Man Utd LIVE RESULT: Marc Cucurella SCORES only goal of the game as Maresca’s side take HUGE three points
CHELSEA have BEATEN Manchester United as they take a HUGE step towards the Champions League.
Marc Cucurella scored the only goal of a close game to move Chelsea within touching distance of the Champions League next season.
Harry Maguire thought he had given Man Utd the lead in London, but his strike was ruled out for offside.
Chelsea then had their own VAR drama, as Andre Onana appeared to catch Tyrique George, but the VAR ruled out the spot kick.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa also took a huge step towards the Champions League, beating Tottenham.
- SunSport match report: Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
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The top five race
Aston Villa and Chelsea are both looking to secure Champions League football by finishing fifth.
At present, it seems as though Arsenal, Newcastle and City will join champions Liverpool in the top four.
Chelsea currently occupy 5th on 63 points, with Villa also on 63, but with 12 worse goal difference.
Forest have slipped to 7th, and are now on 62 points.
Tonight could have a HUGE deciding on who makes it next weekend.
Looking ahead to the Europa League final
Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou have two different approaches to their sides ahead of the showdown on Wednesday.
For Ange, key figures such as Vicario, Porro, Bissouma, Bentancur, Johnson, Richarlison and Solanke are all on the bench.
However, for Amorim, no rotation is required.
Will it come back to bite Amorim, or will Ange regret not getting his players properly fit?
Aston Villa vs Spurs XI's confirmed
SunSport will also have updates from Villa vs Spurs tonight, with those two set to kick-off at 7:30pm BST.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen, McGinn, Kamara, Onana, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins
Spurs: Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Davies, Reguilon, Sarr, Gray, Odobert, Moore, Tel, Son
On the bench
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Badisashile, Chalobah, Acheampong, Anselmino, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall
Man Utd: Bayindir, Amass, Fredricson, Heaven, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho
XI's confirmed
Chelsea: Sanchez, James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Neto, Madueke, George
Man Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, Lindelof, Maguire, Dorgu, Casemiro, Mount, Shaw, Amad, Fernandes, Hojlund
A problem up top
Enzo Maresca may have to end the season without a recognised striker.
The Blues have one more game away at Forest after tonight’s game, but may have nobody who is a recognised striker up top.
Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are out injured, and Nicolas Jackson will be suspended after a red card against Newcastle.
However, Maresca was given a small boost, as Marc Guiu returned to training this week.
Guiu had been used mostly in the Conference League, but could get some valuable Premier League minutes under his belt.
Alternatively, Tyrique George had been playing the role of substitute striker in the absence of Nkunku and Guiu.
Credit: Getty Mounting a return
Mason Mount returns to Stamford Bridge for the second time since he left the Blues.
Mount was pivotal in Chelsea winning the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2021, but left the club on a sour note, with a year left on his deal, after seemingly implying he would not sign a new deal.
He only added fuel to the fire when he squared up to Enzo Fernandez in the clash at Stamford Bridge last season.
The 26-year-old has scored three in three heading into the game tonight, and could send the Chelsea faithful into meltdown with a goal.
Credit: Getty Friday night at the Bridge
Welcome to SunSports coverage of Chelsea against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge!
The Blues are headed towards the top five, and could pick up three much needed points in their pursuit of the Champions League next season.
However, the Red Devils would love to spoil the party, and former Blue Mason Mount has hit form just before his second return to Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer was hat-trick hero when the Blues faced United at Stamford Bridge last season, can he step up and deliver another HUGE three points for Enzo Maresca?
SunSport will have you covered for all the action – as well as updates from Aston Villa’s clash against Tottenham, with the Villans also in the hunt for the Champions League.