United hands Chelsea a fourth straight league loss
Chelsea suffered a fourth straight Premier League defeat as Manchester United boosted its chances of a top-five finish with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Matheus Cunha, from another Bruno Fernandes assist – his 18th in the league this season – struck late in the first half, and his goal proved decisive.
A positive Chelsea start did not yield a good chance until Enzo Fernandez, back from his club-enforced suspension, went close just after the half-hour mark.
Then, against the run of play, Fernandes shrugged off former United winger Alejandro Garnacho and supplied a great ball into the box, from which Cunha converted his fifth Premier League goal against Chelsea, more than he has scored against any other team.
Chelsea piled on the pressure in the second half, having 15 shots, but only one of those hit the target, with Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana striking the woodwork.
Fresh from signing a new Chelsea contract this week, Moises Caicedo drilled just wide late on, but United's depleted defence held firm as the Blues' miserable run rolled on.
Fernandes spoke after the game about how United wants to seal its place in next season's Champions League in a hurry.
"It's an amazing feeling for us, we had to bounce back, we had two games that we didn't win," he said.
"We knew we had to make a great performance because Chelsea are a good side. It's important for us because our aim is to finish in the top four, so creating some distance is perfect for us.
"I feel three points closer, we have another game that we have to win. We know we need points to get that place secured and we will do everything possible to be as quick as possible."
Fernandes has Premier League history in his sights. Only Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-2020 (20), Thierry Henry in 2002-2003 (20) and Mesut Ozil in 2015-2016 (19) have recorded more assists in a season than he has this term.
"I say every time I want to do better than the season before," Fernandes added.
"I want to improve my game overall. I need to improve every week because I want to become a better player and end my career as the best as possible."
United is not in action again until 28 April (AEST), when it hosts Brentford.
