Enzo Maresca's side fashioned the better opportunities during the contest at Stamford Bridge, but it wasn't until the 71st minute that the only goal of the game arrived.

It was created superbly by James; the homegrown Chelsea captain stepping up at a crucial moment. He skilfully evaded pressure from Alejandro Garnacho and delivered the perfect cross for Cucurella, who planted his header beyond Andre Onana.

United offered little in the way of a response. The three points the Blues needed – and deserved – were secured. And it means that a victory over Nottingham Forest next weekend, barring the most unlikely of scenarios, will guarantee a return to the top stage of European football.

An early threat

Maresca made three changes to his side. James and Tosin Adarabioyo came into the Blues defence while Tyrique George was handed his first Premier League start in place of the suspended Nicolas Jackson.

With three points imperative in our pursuit of Champions League football, the Blues made a strong start and fashioned the first sight of goal. It was crafted by Palmer, who delivered an excellent flat cross to the back post for Noni Madueke.

The winger timed his run perfectly and met the ball on the bounce. Unfortunately, he couldn't control his attempt, which cleared the crossbar.

When out of possession, United dropped into a 5-4-1 shape and looked to frustrate the Blues. With the ball, they fashioned two opportunities.

The first saw Harry Maguire volley beyond Robert Sanchez following a Fernandes cross. However, the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. The second was fashioned by Patrick Dorgu, whose low cross found Mason Mount 18 yards out. On the stretch, he guided his attempt wide.

Coming close

That was the extent of the visitors' threat in the opening period. The Blues, meanwhile, came close on multiple occasions.

No more so than via Reece James. A Madueke cross was cleared to our captain 20 yards from goal. On the half-volley, he cut across the ball, which flew toward the far corner and nicked the post on its way behind. It was a fine effort.

Palmer fashioned the next opportunity and saw his shot deflected wide. From the resultant corner, the ball dropped to Enzo Fernandez, who drove an attempt toward goal. It struck the arm of Rasmus Hojlund but referee Chris Kavanagh turned down the Blues' appeals. VAR didn't intervene.

Our final chance of the half forced Onana into work. Madueke was again the architect as he teed up Palmer 20 yards from goal. The England international's shot took a deflection and Onana clawed the ball away. It fell to Fernandez, who fired over from close range. The offside flag was raised, however.

The half-time interval enabled United to reset, and they twice threatened Sanchez's goal after the restart. Mount again skewed a shot wide after good build-up play from Amad. The winger then fashioned a shooting opportunity for Fernandes, but the Portugal international whipped his effort beyond the far post.

We regained our composure in possession and, on the hour mark, a pass was slipped behind the United defence and George beat the onrushing Onana to the ball. The Academy graduate went down under pressure. A penalty was awarded.

Then came VAR, who advised to go to the pitch-side monitor and review his decision. The spot kick was overturned. The game remained level.

The breakthrough

It was a setback that didn't dent the Blues' confidence and, soon after, we broke the deadlock. Patient possession saw Caicedo clip a pass to Pedro Neto near the touchline, and he rolled a pass into James' path.

Garnacho came out to pressure the Academy graduate, who, in one motion, protected the ball and spun away from the Argentine. He then clipped a cross toward the six-yard box where Cucurella was unmarked and planted a header beyond Onana. The Bridge erupted.

The lead was one we deserved – and a second goal almost arrived moments later. Palmer slipped a pass through to Madueke, and he was one-on-one with Onana. However, the Blues winger steered his shot wide of the post. It was a big chance passed up.

Neto was next to come close for the Blues as he drove a low effort toward goal that Onana had to save. At the other end, Sanchez had to react quickly to push wide a powerful shot from Amad.

Maresca turned to his bench for the first time soon after, as Romeo Lavia was introduced for George. Palmer moved forward into a false nine role.

The final ten minutes saw those in Blue press, harass, and restrict United. Sanchez's goal was protected well; United offered very little threat after going behind due to the work ethic of Maresca's side.

There was a late penalty appeal turned down when Malo Gusto, introduced late on, went down under pressure. Yet it mattered not. The final whistle was blown soon after. Three crucial points were secured.

And the task for Maresca's side is clear. Win at the City Ground and that will almost certainly be enough to secure our place back in the Champions League.

What it means

The Blues move up to fourth in the Premier League table after 37 games, level on 66 points with Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

What comes next

We have a free week to prepare for our final fixture of our league campaign, which takes place next Sunday against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c), Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto (Gusto 90+1); George (Lavia 81)
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Acheampong, Chalobah, Anselmino, Badiashile, Dewsbury-Hall
Goalscorers: Cucurella 71
Bookings:

Manchester United: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw (Heaven 82); Mazraoui, Casemiro (Ugarte 69), Fernandes (Mainoo 81), Dorgu; Amad, Hojlund, Mount (Garnacho 69)
Manchester United: Bayindir, Amass, Fredricson, Collyer, Eriksen
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Fernandes 32, Casemiro 48, Mazraoui 65, Amad 69, Heaven 90+3

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh

Attendance: