Chelsea vs Manchester United Review
Marc Cucurella’s header secured a tense 1-0 victory for Chelsea against Manchester United, enhancing their chances of qualifying for the Champions League and extending their unbeaten home record in the Premier League for 2025 to 10 matches (8 wins, 2 draws). Man United nearly faced an early setback when Noni Madueke sent a close-range shot over the bar after receiving a pass from Cole Palmer. The Red Devils had a strong start, but an unusual moment occurred when Harry Maguire appeared to score first with a precise finish from a great pass by Bruno Fernandes. However, Chelsea avoided embarrassment as a close VAR offside call went in their favor.
At the other end, Reece James hit a fantastic long-range shot that hit the post, and Cole Palmer was thwarted by André Onana as Chelsea finished the half strongly. Former Chelsea player Mason Mount aimed to complicate matters further but missed the target after a promising run and cross from Amad Diallo. United posed a significant threat on the counter, and Fernandes showed his frustration after sending a speculative shot over the bar following good teamwork between Mount and Amad.
Chelsea believed they had a chance to score when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a penalty after a clash between Onana and Tyrique George, but VAR stepped in and reversed the call. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge exploded with excitement when Cucurella scored a powerful header past Onana, following a brilliant turn and cross from James, bringing a wave of relief to the crowd. Just moments later, it could have been 2-0 after Palmer’s pass cut through United’s defense, but Madueke missed the target with a poor shot. Amad was a key player for Amorim’s team, and his effort was well saved by Robert Sánchez at the near post as the visitors sought an equalizer.
In the end, Enzo Maresca’s team secured a narrow victory, moving them up to fourth place, while the Red Devils are now experiencing their longest winless streak in Premier League history, having not won any of their last eight league matches. However, all will be forgotten if they manage to win at San Mamés on Wednesday, otherwise, it could be a season of total embarrassment for Amorim’s squad.
