Chelsea 1, Man Utd 0
Marc Cucurella’s header inflicted an 18th Premier League defeat on Manchester United, spoiling their preparations for the Europa League final next week.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited will finish with their worst league record since their relegation in the 1973/74 season after Chelsea beat them for only the second time in 15 Premier League games to keep their own Champions League hopes alive as they went up to 4th place.
And with only 24 points from 26 games in charge United boss Ruben Amorim has fewer points per game (0.92) than Paul Jewell had while in charge of Derby County – the infamous “worst side in Premier League history” – Jewell ended his season with 0.94 points per game at the Rams as they earned just 11 points in the 2007/08 season.
After a record 8th Premier League game without a win United remain in 16th place only because their opponents Tottenham in 17th were well beaten by Aston Villa as both sides were clearly looking towards next week’s Europa League final clash in Bilbao.
United end the campaign without winning back-to-back league games for the first time in Premier League history and will have to look to get something against Villa at Old Trafford next season to reach the 40 point mark – a points total which might have relegated them but for three poor promoted Championship sides this term.
The Reds had started strongly with a 17th minute Harry Maguire opener ruled out by semi automated VAR for offside.
In the second half the visitors were grateful for intervention from VAR which correctly advised the referee to review his own penalty decision against Andre Onana which showed the maligned United keeper had got to the ball before bringing down Tyrique George who was haring into the box at speed.
But with time running out and a strong United side still toothless in attack Reece James’ smart turn left Alejandro Garnacho bamboozled before a lofted cross into the area had United’s defence not knowing if they were coming or going before Cucurella found space in front of Noussair Mazraoui to beat Onana with a majestic header – his 7th goal of the season for the Blues.
Casemiro and Mason Mount had already been withdrawn by Ruben Amorim in favour of Manuel Ugarte and Garnacho just before United conceded.
But rather than try and rescue a point Amorim chose to replace captain Bruno Fernandes with Kobbie Mainoo – the result was little more than an irrelevance for United as they needed players fit and ready for next week’s winner takes all showdown.