LONDON: Chelsea ensured that qualification for the Champions League remains in their own hands as Marc Cucurella´s winner beat Manchester United 1-0 to climb to fourth in the Premier League.
United are gearing up for next week´s Europa League final against Tottenham but ran the Blues close as Ruben Amorim named a stronger line-up than expected.
However, the Red Devils ultimately slipped to an 18th league defeat of the season and remain 16th in the table.
Chelsea and Aston Villa, who beat Spurs 2-0 in Friday´s other Premier League match, both leapfrog Manchester City into the top five.
City have a game in hand at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday as they face Crystal Palace in Saturday´s FA Cup final. But Chelsea will be assured of a return to Europe´s top competition after a two-year absence should they beat Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
United´s miserable season can only be saved by victory in Bilbao in five days´ time but Amorim resisted the temptation to rest his key men at Stamford Bridge.
Captain Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Casemiro were among those to start as Amorim named close to his strongest available side.
Chelsea were without a recognised striker due to Nicolas Jackson´s suspension and the continued absence due to injury of Christopher Nkunku.
Teenager Tyrique George, a natural winger, was forced to lead the line in an unfamiliar role up front and the Blues´ lack of a focal point saw them easily snuffed out.
United´s bright start was nearly rewarded when Harry Maguire fired in Fernandes´ inviting cross only for a VAR review to show the centre-back had strayed centimetres offside.
