Manchester United tightened their grip on third place within the Premier League after operating out 1-0 winners over rivals and fellow Champions League hopefuls Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Matheus Cunha scored the one purpose of the sport shortly earlier than half-time to keep up interim supervisor Michael Carrick’s spectacular tenure since taking cost in January.
For the Blues, who noticed a purpose dominated out and twice hit the woodwork, they continue to be in sixth however didn’t make a dent within the four-point hole between them and fifth-placed Liverpool.
The outcome means Liam Rosenior’s aspect are on a run of 4 successive top-flight defeats for the primary time because the Nineteen Nineties – doing so with out scoring a single purpose.
A frantic begin at Stamford Bridge
On condition that that is probably the most drawn fixture within the Premier League period (27), it was maybe unsurprising that for lengthy intervals there was little to separate the 2 sides.
After a frenetic begin, Estevao had the sport’s first actual probability when his effort curled inches extensive of the purpose.
The Brazilian prodigy hobbled off with what seemed to be a hamstring harm simply moments later, changed by former Pink Satan, Alejandro Garnacho.
Halfway by way of the half Chelsea had an important probability to take the lead when Enzo Fernandez wriggled free within the United space earlier than bending a low effort that flew simply previous the put up.
The hosts have been within the ascendency, Delap seeing a purpose dominated out for offside after Fernandez’s strike was parried by Senne Lammens.
However towards the run of play, Bruno Fernandes discovered house down the correct earlier than drilling a low cross that discovered the run of Cunha.
The Brazilian playmaker made no mistake, arrowing a high-quality first-time end past Robert Sanchez to provide the Pink Devils the lead earlier than half time.
An enthralling second half
After the break, the Blues have been unfortunate not to attract degree when Delap’s header from Pedro Neto’s threatening cross cannoned of the crossbar.
On the different finish, Sanchez was compelled to claw away a Fernandes go which had taken a depraved deflection off Wesley Fofana and regarded destined to roll into the nook of the online.
With the sport opening up, the hosts once more rattled the woodwork as they searched desperately for a manner again into the competition.
Moises Caicedo’s fierce effort whistled agonisingly extensive for Chelsea and it proved to be the ultimate motion of the match as United held on to report a formidable win within the capital.
