New setback for Chelsea as United win at Stamford Bridge
LONDON: Manchester United took a decisive step towards a Champions League slot as Matheus Cunha’s first-half goal beat out-of-form Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s own hopes of a top-five place faded as they suffered fourth Premier League defeat in a row for only the second time this century. They have failed to score in any of those losses and have not found the net since 4 March.
They were short of luck. Three times – through Estevao, who went off with his second hamstring injury in a month after 16 minutes, Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana – Liam Rosenior’s side saw chances come back off the posts.
The home side had more possession, shots and shots on target but United came away with the points as Bruno Fernandes’ cut-back was clinically dispatched by Cunha’s first-time strike. It was Fernandes’s 18th assist in the league this season, two short of equalling the Premier League record.
Spurs held
Earlier Brighton’s stoppage-time 2-2 draw at Tottenham left Spurs stuck in the Premier League relegation zone and kept alive Wolves’ faint hopes of staying up despite a 3-0 defeat at Leeds.
Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser against Brighton denied Tottenham a first league win of 2026, with the north London club stranded in 18th place in the table, and Wolves, marooned in the relegation zone all season, received a stay of execution.
Bournemouth edged Newcastle 2-1 to boost their hopes of European football next season while dealing a significant blow to those of their hosts, and Brentford versus Fulham ended in a scoreless draw.
Spurs’ draw left them winless in 15 league matches with the club staring at a first relegation since 1977.
“I am sorry for the result, for the players because they are suffering too much,” coach Roberto de Zerbi said after his first home game in charge.
Xavi Simons’ stunning strike in the 77th minute seemed set to earn Spurs a long-awaited win before Rutter fired high into the net deep in stoppage time.
Pedro Porro had headed Spurs in front in the 39th minute, but Brighton equalised in first‑half stoppage time through a sublime volley from substitute Kaoru Mitoma.
Tottenham have 31 points from 33 games, one behind West Ham United and two adrift of Nottingham Forest, and have played one more game than both teams.
Wolves’ 22nd defeat left them on 17 points from 33 matches, with their eight-year stay in the top flight hanging by a thread and needing Spurs to drop points to delay what has felt inevitable for weeks.
At St James’ Park, Bournemouth scored a late winner to secure a deserved victory. Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth the lead and, after Newcastle midfielder William Osula equalised in the 68th minute, Adrien Truffert struck five minutes from time.
Bournemouth are eighth in the table on 48 points and Newcastle dropped to 14th on 42.
Fulham kept alive their fading European hopes after goalkeeper Bernd Leno produced a brilliant stoppage‑time save to secure a goalless draw at West London rivals Brentford.
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