By
SABC Sport
19th April 2026
Despite playing something of a makeshift defence due to injuries, the Red Devils were resolute at the back and made life difficult for their hosts.
Even still, the Blues were able to muster 21 chances at goal, although not a single one was classified as a big chance.
United only produced 0.29xG to Chelsea's 1.57xG but they made the most of the few chances they had, with Mattheus Cunha sneaking what would turn out to be the winning goal in the 42nd minute.
Chelsea dominated the first half but their growing frustration was very apparent as their chances became more desperate.
That frustration grew three minutes before the break when United caught them on the counter, with a man advantage due to Wesley Fofana being off the pitch being treated by the physio.
Bruno Fernandes provided his 18th assist of the season in teeing up Cunha, who blasted the ball into the top corner.
The Blues got control of the game back again after half-time but their attempts to break into United's final third were repeatedly thwarted.
Despite starting the match as an unfamiliar centre-back pairing, the performances of Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui stood out for United.
The result was Chelsea's fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League and was met with loud boos from the exasperated home faithful, while also seeing them drift further from a potential place in next season's Champions League.
