Chelsea, Man Utd win to take Europe race to final day
Christopher Nkunku inflated a blue balloon and held it between his lips to celebrate his second-half goal in a 2-1 Premier League win for Chelsea at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The France striker’s 64th-minute strike on Thursday (AEST) added to Cole Palmer’s 22nd goal of the campaign in the 34th minute at Amex Stadium as Chelsea claimed their fourth straight victory to boost ambitions of qualifying for a European competition next season.
Chelsea moved three points behind fifth-place Tottenham heading into the final round of games in the league on Sunday.
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Nkunku, a signature signing from Leipzig in the last off-season, has endured an injury-hit first year at Stamford Bridge and has managed just 10 league appearances, scoring three goals. His latest was a close-range finish from Malo Gusto’s cross.
Palmer, another signing last year, has been Chelsea’s shining light and glanced in a header from Marc Cucurella’s left-wing cross to leave him five goals behind Erling Haaland’s league-leading tally of 27.
Second-half substitute Reece James was shown a straight red card in the 88th -- following a VAR review -- after he kicked out at Joao Pedro while on the ground.
Danny Welbeck grabbed Brighton’s consolation goal in the seventh minute of added time.
At Old Trafford, a strike by substitute Rasmus Hojlund in the 84th minute proved to be the difference between the teams as under-pressure Dutch manager Erik ten Hag gained a much-needed victory in his team’s last home game of the season.
The hosts joined the seventh-placed Magpies on 57 points but have an inferior goal difference.
The teams finishing in sixth and seventh should qualify for the Europa League and Europa Conference League, respectively. The Red Devils could also get in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.
Kobbie Mainoo put Manchester United ahead in the 31st after a pass was slipped through the Newcastle defence by Amad Diallo, who regained the lead for the home side with a fierce left-footed shot after a 57th-minute corner wasn’t fully cleared.
Anthony Gordon had equalised in the 49th and Lewis Hall ensured a nervy finish to the game for by making it 3-2 in added time.
