SECOND HALF - CUCURELLA DECIDES IT
The Reds looked more of a threat again after the restart and created a decent opportunity, seven minutes in. Mount worked the ball out to Amad, and although being grounded, got up to gallop forward to receive the return pass from the Ivorian, only to screw his shot wide from a promising position.
A few minutes later, Mount and Amad instigated another break, with the latter nudging the ball into Fernandes's path but the skipper went for goal when, in hindsight, a cross to an unmarked Casemiro at the far post would have been the better option, as the attempt sailed off target.
There was a major talking point on 61 minutes, as George tumbled under Onana's challenge. Referee Chris Kavanagh instantly pointed to the spot but, this time, the VAR intervention favoured United, as replays showed our keeper clearly touching the ball with his hand, and not the Blues youngster, who was making his first Premier League start.
At the other end, Kavanagh then cautioned Amad for simulation, after he went over inside the area, when trying to drive through.
The breakthrough arrived, 19 minutes from time, when James collected a Pedro Neto pass and spun on the ball to evade substitute Alejandro Garnacho, before delivering an inviting centre that was headed home by Cucurella, who had managed to find space in the danger zone.
The blow rocked United and Madueke should have put the game out of reach soon afterwards, racing onto a Palmer through ball and, with the goal gaping, failing to provide a composed finish and missing the target. Neto then had a shot comfortably saved by Onana as the west Londoners looked to seal the points.
Back came the Reds, with Maguire doing well to feed Amad, who cut inside to unload a shot that forced a stop at his near post out of an alert Sanchez.
Despite nearly nine minutes of stoppage time, that 79th-minute effort proved to be the final time we came close to taking something from the game, with our cause not helped by a pitch invader towards the end, as the focus switches quickly to the trip to the Basque Country.