Manchester United swept aside Chelsea to advance to the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United earned a convincing 4-1 victory over Chelsea in the 32nd round of the 2022-23 English Premier League on Saturday at home at Old Trafford.
The win, United’s third in a row, lifted the Red Devils to third place in the standings with 22 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses (72 points). With one final game to go, the Red Devils have clinched a spot in the Big Four and a ticket to the Champions League.
The Red Devils line up with Anthony Martial up front, with Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandez, and Anthony in the second line. With Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in the back three for stability, United pressed Chelsea hard from the start.
The first goal came early. They took the lead in the sixth minute when Eriksen’s free kick was headed home by Casemiro in the box. The key was to extend their lead before the break. Casemiro, Sancho, and then Martial added to the lead.
In the second half, the Red Devils took control and extended their lead to 4-0 with a 28th-minute penalty from Fernandes and a 33rd-minute wedge from Marcus Rashford.
Facing a humiliating defeat away from home, Chelsea saved face when Joao Felix scored the winner just before the end. However, Chelsea’s winless run in their last three games, including two consecutive defeats, continued into the end of the season. The Blues, who dropped to mid-table this season, remain in 12th place with 11 wins, 10 draws, and 16 losses (43 points).
Manchester United’s 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea certainly stung their rivals’ pride. The Red Devils also closed the gap on Liverpool. Winners of seven of their last eight games, the Reds had been chasing fourth place, but Manchester United’s victory ensured fifth place regardless of the final result. Fifth place in the Premier League means a place in the Europa League, not the Champions League.메이저놀이터
Fernandes expressed his delight at Liverpool’s frustration. “This win means a lot,” he told Sky Sports after the game. “It means a lot, not only that we achieved our goal, but the fans will be happy that Liverpool are not in the Champions League,” he told Sky Sports.
In contrast, Liverpool’s key striker Mohamed Salah posted on social media, “There are no excuses. We let the fans down. We’re Liverpool and the least we can do is qualify for the Champions League and I’m sorry,” he apologized.