Chelsea vs Manchester United Premier League 2025-26 highlights: Cunha's lone goal take United closer to Champions League qualification

United are now 10 points clear of sixth position. A first win at Stamford Bridge for Manchester United in six years.

Chelsea were the better team, but United finished with the goal that they needed to get the full points. United scored on one of the four shots on target they had made. 

United get close to the Champions League qualification as Chelsea face their fourth consecutive defeats in the league, and that too, without scoring a goal. 

BIG. THREE. POINTS! ✅🔥

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 18, 2026

Yellow card for Mainoo for a foul on Garnacho. Free-kick for Chelsea.

Mount handles the ball at the edge of the box and free-kick for Chelsea.

Yellow card for Mount.

It has been a poor night for the Argentine. He has not been clinical with his recieves, finishes, and now passes. 

In: Lavia

Out: Enzo (injured)

In: Zirkzee

Out: Mbuemo

Neto's cross from the right was chest-trapped by Garnacho, and he played the ball to Palmer, whose shot was blocked by Amad.

This was not far away. 

Chelsea captain nearly levelled the score with a long-range shot from outside the box. He missed the post by only a few inches. 

Excellent from the defender as Hato won the ball for Chelsea and played it out wide on the left to Garnacho.

Garnacho made a deep run on the left and just when he went for a cross, Mazraoui made the sliding block. 

In: Acheampong, Chalobah

Out: Gusto, Fofana

In: Amad, Mount

Out: Sesko, Cunha

Bruno with a fine ball to find Mbuemo, who made a deep run on the right. But an interception from Hato disturbed the flow.

Mazraoui goes for the ball as Cucurella goes for a bicycle kick inside the box following a cross from Gusto. 

Fofana could not get the timing of the header perfectly as he lobbed the ball to Lammens for an easy grab.

Palmer's free-kick hit the wall, and then the rebound shot was also blocked as a VAR check was going on for a possible penalty. 

This is unlucky for the Blues. Second time in ten minutes, Chelsea hits the woodwork.

Cross from Neto was met by Fofana at the far post, whose header from the close range hit the crossbar. 

Nearly an own goal from Fofana, as Burno's chipped attempt from inside the box got a deflection from the defender and was going inside before Sanchez got a left hand to it. 

Not sure if Gusto was looking for that kind of a cross, but it went straight to Palmer, who guided the ball just outside the goal. 

This was not happening in the first half. But, United have started winning the duels as we see Mainoo winning the ball from Neto and then Cunha winning a challenge. 

Not that loud, but Chelsea appealed for a handball inside the United box. Enzo's chipped in ball hit Mazraoui's hand. But it was close to his body. 

Delap, who has not scored in his last 30 matches, hits the crossbar with a header. Neto with the cross for him from the right. 

Fans chant Burno's name as his right-footed attempt from the edge of the box went outside. 

Enzo's cutback found Caicedo at the front of the box, whose shot was deflected away for a corner by Casemiro.

🇵🇹🪄 Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League this season:

→ 8 goals
→ 18 assists
→ 26G/A

EL MAGNIFICO BRUNO FERNANDES

THE KIND OF PREMIER LEAGUE pic.twitter.com/MVP93jBGU8

— Only FAX (@MansoorCh18) April 18, 2026

Caicedo's aerial ball for Cucurella is a bit too long, as Lammens came running in to grab the ball. 

Jumpin’ for the Red Devils in Tampa 😈 pic.twitter.com/Z5t1bUKz2j

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) April 18, 2026

Chelsea get the second half under way

No changes from either team. 

Most Premier League assist in a season:

1. Thierry Henry - 20 in 2002/03 
2. Kevin de Bruyne- 20 in 2019/20
3. Bruno Fernandes - 18* in 2025/26

Chelsea were the better side on the pitch in the first half, but United scored the goal, which mattered the most. 

Chelsea were hurt by an injury to Estevao, and also looked close to winning a penalty and then scoring a goal. However, Cunha struck with a Burno's 18th assist of the season, to hand United the lead. 

🏄‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/7jgtwlzPSX

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 18, 2026

Gusto's lobbed ball was not cleared well by Dalot as the ball went for a Chelsea corner. 

Out of nowhere, United draw the first blood. 

Casemiro and Mbuemo linked up to find Bruno on the right. Burno went deep, and his cutback was skipped by Sesko as it found Cunha. 

Cunha side-footed the ball into the top corner as United took the lead with their first shot on target. He now has eight league goals this season. 

Play resumes as Fofana is able to continue.

Just a minute ago, Bruno sent a high free-kick, and a clash occurred among Casemiro, Fofana and an incoming Sanchez. 

Fofana is now down with rib cage pain. He is getting medical attention. 

Yellow card for Hato for a foul on Mbuemo. 

Chelsea with the counterattack as Heaven first blocked a shot from Neto. 

Right after that, Palmer found the ball at the far post and played it to Delap, who side-footed it into the net, only to find out that Palmer was offside. 

After a buildup for nearly one minute, Palmer finally decided to go for the goal. But his left-footed shot was confidently grabbed by Lammens.

Enzo did well to win the ball from Mazraoui and Casemiro inside the box. The Argentine made a quick turn and went for a curling right-footed shot, which went outside the far post by a few inches. 

It was too close for Enzo to get the elevation and speed. 

He tried to lob the ball over the wall but could not go over them.

Free-kick from just a few feet away from the box for Chelsea as Heaven fouled Palmer. Risky from the U20 England international. 

Manchester United found joy as Dalot made Garnacho fall on ground and also win the throw for them. 

Again, United have failed to keep the ball to themselves as a running Cucurella won the ball from Mbuemo at the halfway mark. 

Cucurella has been an underrated player this season. 

Chance for United. 

Break from United, and a long high ball found Mbuemo, who picked out Cunha, whose hard first touch gave away the chance and also earned him a yellow card for fouling Hato.

Since Estevao has gone back to the bench, we have not seen the early speed from either of the teams. 

United has not been able to win the ball from Chelsea as the home team has enjoyed most of the possession. As they were looking to make a move, Cucurella fouled Dalot at the halfway mark to hand them a free-kick. 

Right after a minute of coming, the Argentine forward had a chance to score.

Palmer with move to find Pedro Neto, whose lobbed ball nearly found the feet of a sliding Garnacho.

Alejandro Garnacho replaces Estêvão because of an injury.

Looks like Estevao is injured and will not be able to play. Garnacho is getting ready to come in against his former team. He gets a mix reaction from the fans.

Big mistake from Shaw as he played the ball to Delap, who found Estevao on the move. 

After a wrong footing, he could not finish the chance as he went to the ground after making a weak shot. 

From the right, the Brazilian went for a curling left-footed shot, which went outside the far post. 

Palmer with the move that started the attack for Chelsea.

No penalty has been given as VAR has ruled this out. It was just outsde the box although it looked like a harsh challenge.

Might be a penalty. Heaven has brought Palmer down as he made a quick entry inside the box.

Delap made a good run behind the defence on the left. He entered the final third but could not find any Blue jersey to his right.

Meantime, young Heaven came from behind to win the ball.

Dalot goes down after a tussle with Caicedo. Since this is a head injury, we have a stoppage in the game.

Kick-off in London.

United are here 👊

📱 #ShotOnSnapdragon pic.twitter.com/iquzpWRYnj

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 18, 2026

A first time in the senior squad for #MUAcademy midfielder, Jim Thwaites 🫡❤️ pic.twitter.com/AS5SKvQix4

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 18, 2026

Arriving at SB. 👊#CFC | #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/HIbue8jk3h

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 18, 2026

Our other prediction came out right as Ayden Heaven came into the starting XI, along with Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo and Bryan Mbeumo.

As we had informed during the build-up, Enzo Fernandez has returned to the XI, while Joao Pedro missed out as Liam Dilap replaced him in the starting lineup. 

XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo (c), Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Delap

Substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Andrey Santos, Lavia, Essugo, Garnacho, Guiu

XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko. 

Subs: Bayindir, Malacia, T. Fletcher, Thwaites, Mount, Ugarte, Amad, Lacey, Zirkzee.

With both Lisnadro Martinez and Harry Maguire suspended for this game, and Leni Yorro's injury, Carrick might go for the U-20 England international star. 

'Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well," Liam Rosenior, Chelsea's head coach, has told the press on the eve of the match.

Football fans in India can watch the match LIVE on Star Sports Channels and can also stream the match LIVE on JioStar app and website with a subscription.

Match: Chelsea vs. Manchester United, Premier League 205/26. 

Date: 19 April, 2026

Time: 12.30 am IST

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London