United drop more points
Red Devils can no longer make the Champions League while Chelsea go third after victory
MANCHESTER United’s hopes of a Premier League top-four finish were ended after they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium yesterday.
Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Watford yesterday took them third, five points clear of sixth-placed United, who failed to take the race for Champions League qualification to the final day, as they trail Tottenham Hotspur in fourth by four points with just one game left.
Looking for a first win in five in all competitions, United made a fast start, and took the lead in the eighth minute through Scott McTominay.
Already-relegated Huddersfield, who had managed just nine goals from open play prior to yesterday’s match, grew into the contest and almost levelled through Karlan Grant, before Paul Pogba headed against the crossbar three minutes before the break.
Alexis Sanchez, making his first United start since March 2, was replaced early in the second half, before Isaac Mbenza’s first-ever Premier League goal got the hosts level on the hour mark following an error from Luke Shaw.
Pogba again hit the crossbar late on as United looked for a winner, but Huddersfield held on for just their fifth Premier League point from the last 72 available, with United having won just two of their last 11 matches in all competitions.
“It is probably the right place for us, the Europa League,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “We weren’t good enough in the end. We are all disappointed we are not in the Champions League.
“We have been inconsistent throughout the season, in games as well. Today was the same. It is a fair reflection that we will finish sixth.”
Meanwhile, Quickfire headed goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and David Luiz, both set up by Eden Hazard early in the second half, helped Chelsea to a 3-0 home victory against spirited Watford.
Argentine marksman Gonzalo Higuain added a third with a cool finish in the 75th minute to move Chelsea closer to their target of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
After a frenzied first half during which Watford had the better chances with Troy Deeney, Gerard Deulofeu and Jose Holebas all lively, Chelsea, booed off at the break, came out flying.
Loftus-Cheek found the net in the 48th minute after a Hazard short corner and one two with Pedro. Hazard lifted the ball to the far post and the tall midfielder nodded it home.
Moments later Brazilian defender Luiz headed Chelsea’s second, straight from a Hazard corner before Chelsea improved their goal difference with the third from Higuain via a Pedro assist.
Both teams have preoccupations away from the league, with Chelsea facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday and Watford meeting Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 18.