Chelsea's CL hopes suffer another bitter blow in Man Utd defeat

Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League took another huge blow as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

Matheus Cunha's goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be enough for Michael Carrick's side to solidify third place in the Premier League and leave Liam Rosenior's men further adrift of a return to Europe's elite competition.

Hundreds of Chelsea supporters protested against the clubs owners BlueCo prior to the game as they called for an end to the regime. And those inside the stadium voiced their dissatisfaction come the final whistle with boos that could be heard all around west London.

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Ahead of the game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea and Strasbourg fans were involved in a peaceful protest against BlueCo's ownership

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Team news:

• Enzo Fernandez returned to the midfield for Chelsea, but was not given the captain's armband following his comments on his future. Joao Pedro was absent from the squad, leaving Liam Delap to lead the line.
• Noussair Mazraoui partnered Ayden Heaven at centre-back, while Kobbie Mainoo also returned from injury.

Chelsea dominated throughout the first-half, and can only be furious at themselves to not have been ahead at the break.

Willian Estevao clipped the outside of the post with a curling effort inside the first quarter of an hour, while the returning Enzo Fernandez spurned an even better opportunity as he shot wide from just outside the six-yard-box.

Image: Enzo Fernandez put a glorious opportunity wide before Man Utd took the lead

Up until their opener, United had managed an xG of just 0.03. However, with Wesley Fofana off the pitch after picking up a knock, they capitalised as Bruno Fernandes secured his 18th Premier League assist of the season by finding Cunha whose first time strike nestled into the top corner.

The Blues continued to look the more likely to score in the second period, with Liam Delap seeing his header cannon back off the crossbar just before the hour mark. A near identical chance then fell to Fofana, but he found the exact same result.

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By hook or by crook, the unorthodox Manchester United back four that saw stellar performances from Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui at centre-back held on for a rare clean sheet to take all three points.

Image: Alejandro Garnacho struggled to make an impact against his former club

The home supporters loudly booed their team at the final whistle, both in disappointment of their lack of finishing touch and the fact they now find themselves 10 points behind United in the Premier League table.

They also remain four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, having played a game more as their Champions League hopes slowly slip away.

More to follow...

Story of the match in stats

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