Manchester United have officially clinched a top four spot in the Premier League after thrashing Chelsea 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Top scorer Marcus Rashford returned from injury but was only named on the United bench, as Erik ten Hag went with the same side that started against Bournemouth while Blues coach Frank Lampard recalled Carney Chukwuemeka, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Mandueke.
United only needed six minutes to find the breakthrough when Casemiro got on the end of Christian Eriksen's free-kick and nodded past Kepa Arrizabalaga for his second goal in as many games.
The Blues did have a couple openings in the early stages, with Mudryk squandering a golden chance in the six-yard area while Anthony Martial passed up a chance of his own at the other end.
The home side were dealt a blow in the 27th minute when Antony sustained a knock after Trevoh Chalobah's challenge and was stretchered off, with Rashford brought on as his replacement.
Chelsea looked a bit more stronger in the final ten minutes of the first half but they should have restored parity just before the break when Enzo Fernandez slipped in Conor Gallagher, who scuffed his shot wide of the mark from close range.
The Red Devils had the final say at the end of the first half when Martial doubled the lead with a close-range finish after being set up by Jadon Sancho's low pass.
There could have been a third goal shortly after the break when Sancho turned provider once again, this time teeing up Bruno Fernandes who rattled the upright from close range.
Both sides opted for double changes after the hour mark, as Chelsea brought on Christian Pulisic and Joao Felix, while Ten Hag introduced Alejandro Garnacho and Fred to freshen up his stall.
The Red Devils earned themselves a penalty in the 73rd minute when Fernandes was brought down by Wesley Fofana's clumsy challenge, which allowed the Portuguese midfielder to step up and convert from 12 yards.
Rashford did manage to get his name on the score-sheet as he did well to skip past Fofana before poking home from close range to bring up his 17th goal of the league campaign.
Chelsea did manage to get a consolation in the latter stages courtesy of a fine finish from Felix on the edge of the box, as the Red Devils went on claim a vital win to secure Champions League football for next season.
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