Chelsea battled their way to victory against Manchester United to keep their place in the top five, crucial following Aston Villa's 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the evening.
The 2024/25 Premier League season is just one week away from wrapping up, and Chelsea hold their Champions League fate in their hands, with three points at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Sunday sealing a place in Europe's elite table next season.
Marc Cucurella's powerful header from close range confirmed the slender 1-0 win, but it was Reece James to earned the plaudits for his balletic swivel and pinpoint cross into a pocket of space.
Chelsea's Reece James and Marc Cucurella celebrate
The defenders needed to step up, especially with the forwards failing to inspire against an insipid Red Devils side, and the absence of suspended Nicolas Jackson was keenly felt as Tyrique George struggled in the front role.
Tyrique George's performance vs Man United
George, 19 and making his first start in the Premier League, has impressed in flashes this season but was ineffective against a firm Man United backline that limited him to a paltry five passes, as per Sofascore.
George also lost all three of his duels, failing to take a shot. He did so with a burst of promise when played through in the second half and winning a penalty, but VAR intervention revealed Andre Onana swept the ball away with no infraction.
It was a luckless night for the talented teenager, all told, but he certainly wasn't helped by his under-performing attacking peers.
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Cole Palmer made one show of world-class passing, while Pedro Neto was lively down the right flank, but Noni Madueke failed to impress and must be dropped to secure a place in the Champions League.
Maresca must drop Noni Madueke
Madueke started the season on strong footing but has struggled for potency at times.
Noni Madueke for Chelsea
Still, Maresca has enjoyed his versatility this term and has fielded him on the left wing to an interesting effect in recent weeks, though it definitely wasn't his finest showing against United.
George might have struggled, but he was always tasked with an uphill battle. Madueke, conversely, had two chances to seal a more commanding victory for his side, but failed to clinch his 12th goal of the campaign.
Noni Madueke's Stats vs Man Utd
Stats
Minutes played
Goals
Assists
Shots (on target)
Big chances missed
Accurate passes
Key passes
Dribbles
Tackles + interceptions
Duels won
Stats via Sofascore
While the England international brought his trademark movement, attempting five dribbles and completing two, he failed miserably when it mattered, missing two excellent chances to strengthen Chelsea's case, which is why he was even worse than George, who did not have any 'big chances' created for him.
The second of which, Sky Sports' Alan Smith remarked, was a "horrible slice" after being played perfectly through. Judging by that, it was hardly a surprise to see GOAL hand him a dismal 3/10 match rating.
Chelsea's Noni Madueke
Jadon Sancho could only watch from the stands as his loan side earned the points against his parent club, but he'll no doubt be hoping to earn a starting berth against Nuno Espirito Santo's Forest next weekend, bringing his fleet feet and flair back into the side.
Given the former Borussia Dortmund man hasn't started in the top flight for over a month, this would be a bold call, but Maresca's side will want more impetus in the final third against the Tricky Trees, and Sancho could supply that extra dimension as Madueke makes for the bench in order to clinch Champions League football for next season.
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