<p>London: Chelsea stayed in the hunt for a Champions League place next season with a nervy 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Friday, courtesy of a second-half goal from Marc Cucurella.</p><p>The Spain full back headed home from close range, turning in a cross from captain Reece James, who bamboozled the United defence with a twist and turn in the 71st minute.</p><p>"I knew I had space and time. I knew I put the ball in a good area, this guy was always arriving," James told <em>Sky Sports</em>, standing alongside Cucurella.</p><p>James had hit the post in the first half with a stinging shot shortly after United defender Harry Maguire had the ball in the Chelsea net, only for VAR to rule it marginally offside.</p> .<p>United had few other chances, and Chelsea were tense but dominant for most of the match.</p><p>The result lifted Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League above Aston Villa, who earlier beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0, with one game left in the season for both sides.</p><p>"The Champions League is where the club belongs, competing in the best competitions," James said.</p><p>The top five in the table qualify for the Champions League, which has been Chelsea's target since Enzo Maresca took over as coach at the start of the season.</p><p>Relieved Maresca and his bench as well players and fans celebrated wildly at the final whistle.</p> .<p>It was the last home game of the season for Chelsea whose form has run hot and cold under since the Italian took over, and they circled the ground with a lap of honour before leaving the pitch.</p><p>Their last game is away to Nottingham Forest, who lie seventh and are still chasing qualification, next weekend.</p><p>United, whose target after a woeful season, is winning the Europa League final against Tottenham next Wednesday, are 16th.</p>
<p>London: Chelsea stayed in the hunt for a Champions League place next season with a nervy 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Friday, courtesy of a second-half goal from Marc Cucurella.</p><p>The Spain full back headed home from close range, turning in a cross from captain Reece James, who bamboozled the United defence with a twist and turn in the 71st minute.</p><p>"I knew I had space and time. I knew I put the ball in a good area, this guy was always arriving," James told <em>Sky Sports</em>, standing alongside Cucurella.</p><p>James had hit the post in the first half with a stinging shot shortly after United defender Harry Maguire had the ball in the Chelsea net, only for VAR to rule it marginally offside.</p> .<p>United had few other chances, and Chelsea were tense but dominant for most of the match.</p><p>The result lifted Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League above Aston Villa, who earlier beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0, with one game left in the season for both sides.</p><p>"The Champions League is where the club belongs, competing in the best competitions," James said.</p><p>The top five in the table qualify for the Champions League, which has been Chelsea's target since Enzo Maresca took over as coach at the start of the season.</p><p>Relieved Maresca and his bench as well players and fans celebrated wildly at the final whistle.</p> .<p>It was the last home game of the season for Chelsea whose form has run hot and cold under since the Italian took over, and they circled the ground with a lap of honour before leaving the pitch.</p><p>Their last game is away to Nottingham Forest, who lie seventh and are still chasing qualification, next weekend.</p><p>United, whose target after a woeful season, is winning the Europa League final against Tottenham next Wednesday, are 16th.</p>