Chelsea host Manchester United in the last of the midweek Premier League fixtures tonight with the hopes of propelling themselves into the top half of the table and keeping alive the slim hopes of earning European football next season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side slumped to a disappointing 2-2 draw against Burnley at the weekend which left them closer to the relegation zone than the top four. With an expanded set of tournaments next season seventh place may be high enough for teams to qualify for Europe which will be the aim for Chelsea during the run in. They are currently five points off seventh and eight behind tonight’s opponents, Man Utd, who six sixth.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils, who conceded a 99th minute equaliser to Brentford last time out, will be hoping to move on from that draw and get back to winning ways. They still have an outside chance of reaching the top four and will be confident against a Chelsea side that has failed to win a league game against them since November 2017.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
HT Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd
Cole Palmer is the first player to score seven penalties for Chelsea in a single Premier League campaign since Jorginho in 2020-21 (7), while only Frank Lampard (10 in 2009-10) has netted more from the spot for the Blues in a single season in the competition.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 21:15
Half-time! Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd
45+5 mins: There goes the whistle to end a blistering first half. Chelsea were the dominant side early on and took a two goal lead before a mistake from Moises Caicedo allowed the visitors to get back into the match.
Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes send Man Utd into the break on level terms.
What’s going to happen in the second half is anyones guess.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 21:07
Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd
45+3 mins: Both these teams can make use of the half-time break. Casemiro and Enzo Fernandez exchange a few hostile words and the referee has to get involved to tame things down.
Raphael Varane has singled to the bench previously about a potentially issue but he seems to have shaken it off for now.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 21:03
Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd
45 mins: Gallagher sends a half shot, half cross into the box before Chelsea win a corner. Mudryk’s delivery is cleared by the visitors but Chelsea are punching back after conceding those two goals.
Five minutes of added time to play.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 21:01
Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd
41 mins: Both these teams are chasing European football so need to win tonight. That desire means the game has been quite open and the four goals proves that.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 20:59
GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd (Fernandes, 38’)
What a turnaround. Andre Onana pings the ball out to Antony on the right side. He darts inside and sends the ball across to Alejandro Garnacho who lays it off for Diogo Dalot.
Chelsea are awry at the back as the cross comes into the back post. Bruno Fernandes tells Rasmus Hojlund to leave the ball and powers his header into the back of the net.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 20:55
Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd
37 mins: Fernandes has a dart at goal from outside the box and sends the effort just wide of the target. There’s a confidence to Manchester United now and they may just change the direction of this game.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 20:52
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd (Garnacho, 34’)
Antony looks to control a looping ball from Bruno Fernandes but loses it to Moises Caicedo. He looks to play a pass across his own back line but Alejandro Garnacho bombs forward and nicks possession.
He carries it into the box and slots a lovely finish past Dorde Petrovic to score United’s first goal of the night.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 20:50
Chelsea 2-0 Man Utd
33 mins: Malo Gusto gives away a free kick inside his own final third and Manchester United have a good opportunity to send the ball into the middle.
Chelsea deal with the initial ball but it comes out to Kobbie Mainoo. He drills one from range but can;t get the effort through the cluster of bodies in the box.
Better from United though.
Mike Jones4 April 2024 20:48
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.