Following their 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford, Manchester United climbed into third position and secured a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season.
Two goals were scored in the first half, the first by Casemiro off a Christian Eriksen free kick and the second by Anthony Martial in the final seconds of the first half. Between those two goals, Frank Lampard's team missed a golden opportunity after another.
After Portugal's Bruno Fernandes gained and converted a penalty, his teammate Wesley Fofana gifted the ball to the Portuguese midfielder for Portugal's fourth goal, which Marcus Rashford finished off. The view from Chelsea was dreadful.
They have only won once in their last 13 matches, all of which have been under Lampard. For Chelsea, this was their youngest starting lineup ever in the Premier League. Even Joao Felix's late goal doesn't help much. Casemiro and the others were decisive when they were wavering.
United, who now sit above Newcastle, had only one disappointment—a worrying injury to Antony. However, Erik ten Hag's squad had a successful evening overall. Liverpool could no longer catch them with only a point, and they got it. They swept the three with ease.
Reaction to Man U.'s 4-1 victory over Chelsea (Red Devils' return to the Champions League)
With this win, Manchester United has secured a spot in next season's Champions League. After John Bentley (1912-13), Matt Busby (1946-47), Ron Atkinson (1981-82) and Louis van Gaal (2014-15), Erik ten Hag is only the fifth manager in Manchester United history to finish in the top four of the premier league in his first season in command of the Red Devils.
Chelsea's 22nd loss of the season (in all competitions) was their most since they lost 29 times in a single season and were relegated in 1978–1979.
United, led by Erik ten Hag, defeated Chelsea 4-1 to ensure their spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season.
Four different players scored against lackluster Chelsea: Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford. The Blues, led by Frank Lampard, lost their 16th Premier League game of the season when Mykhailo Mudryk's early miss was followed by a Casemiro header in the sixth minute.
With a resounding victory over a lackluster Chelsea squad at Old Trafford, Manchester United secured their spot in the Champions League with a game to spare.
The home team took the lead thanks to Casemiro's header, and Anthony Martial doubled it by sweeping in Jadon Sancho's ball from close range.
United's third goal was scored by Bruno Fernandes, who was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled by Wesley Fofana.
Marcus Rashford added a fourth after another Fofana miscue, and the Blues finished the game with Joao Felix's late consolation goal. This was the Blues' eighth loss in 10 games under Frank Lampard, and their 16th loss of the season.
United's victory meant that their long-time rivals, Liverpool, would have to play in the Europa League next season.
Even though the home team won, the FA Cup final against Manchester City is less than two weeks away, and the Brazilian winger Antony was taken off on a stretcher in tears after suffering a lower leg injury in an innocuous collision with Trevoh Chalobah.
When asked about the severity of the injury, manager Erik ten Hag remarked, ""I can tell you that it's serious but we have to wait minimum 24 hours and then we know possibly more about the status of his injury."
