Matheus Cunha on Saturday fired Manchester United toward the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win at Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur remain in the relegation zone after twice blowing the lead to draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea failed to take advantage of a United defense ravaged by injury and suspension as a fourth straight league defeat for the Blues left their Champions League hopes in ruins.
United have missed out on the riches of Europe’s elite competition for the past two seasons, but are closing in on a return thanks to an upturn in fortunes under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Photo: AFP
Cunha swept home Bruno Fernandes’ cross just before halftime to open up a 10-point gap between the Red Devils in third and Chelsea in sixth.
“It was massive for us, a big win,” Carrick said. “To come here and keep a clean sheet like we did, and defend the way we did, I thought it was a magnificent performance.”
At the other end of the table, Spurs sank ever closer to dropping out of the top flight for the first time in almost 50 years.
In Roberto de Zerbi’s first home game in charge, Tottenham were heading for their first win in 15 league matches until Georginio Rutter’s strike five minutes into stoppage time.
Pedro Porro’s header was quickly canceled out by Kaoru Mitoma’s spectacular volley in first-half stoppage time.
Xavi Simons’ stunning strike 13 minutes from time sparked an outpouring of joy around the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Yet, the home fans were silenced in added time when Jan Paul van Hecke outmuscled Kevin Danso and squared for Rutter to blast high into the net.
Spurs edge to within one point of West Ham United in the battle for survival.
However, the Hammers have a game in hand and could stretch that advantage when they travel to Crystal Palace today.
“Everyone of us knows it’s a tough moment, it’s a difficult situation, but we have another five games, 15 points,” De Zerbi said. “And this team is able to win five games in a row.”
Brighton’s equalizer also saved Wolves from being officially relegated.
However, their eight-year stay in the top flight is coming to an end after a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United.
Fresh from a first league win away at fierce rivals Manchester United since 1981, Leeds all but secured their top-flight status.
Two goals in the first half from James Justin and Noah Okafor put the home side in control before Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty in stoppage time rounded off the scoring.
Tottenham’s woeful campaign has been compounded by an impressive return to the top flight by Sunderland and Leeds, to buck the trend of the past few seasons.
For the past two years all three promoted sides have gone straight back down.
However, Daniel Farke’s men not only look set for survival, but could reach a first FA Cup final since 1973 should they beat Chelsea in next weekend’s semi-finals.
AFC Bournemouth piled more pressure on Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe with a 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
The Cherries showed no ill effects from the news that Andoni Iraola would depart as boss at the end of the season.
Marcus Tavernier and Adrien Truffert struck for the visitors to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to 13 matches.
Bournemouth climb to eighth and within four points of the Champions League places.
Newcastle, by contrast, remain in 14th with their hopes of European soccer next season all but over.
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