The dust has settled in the Premier League's UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign, with Manchester United sweeping Chelsea 4-1 at home in the early hours of Friday morning (26th), locking up a place in the league's top four and returning to the UEFA Europa League stage after a year. However, United paid a price for the win, as Brazilian winger Anthony Mafiosi suffered an ankle injury in the first half and was carried off the field on a stretcher, fearing that he will miss next week's EFL Cup final.
United needed only one point to secure UEFA Europa League qualification, and Casimiru scored the first goal with a header just six minutes into the match. Despite Chelsea's onslaught, their ability to capitalize on chances was still poor. In the 29th minute, Anthony was kicked by an opponent and suffered a suspected ankle injury. His expression was painful and he was eventually carried away on a stretcher after being treated by military doctors. Before the end of the first half, Anthony Madill scored an easy goal off a pass from Chaton Sinzu.
After the break, the two sides continued to attack each other fiercely. In the 73rd minute, Bono Fernandes was hooked by Wesley Cofinna in the box and scored from the penalty spot to make the score 3-0, and only 5 minutes later, Wesley Cofinna's "suicide" cross was cut off, and Lashoufoort grabbed the chance to score the fourth goal. In the final minute, Chelsea's Zio Felice broke the deadlock, but United finished the match with a 4-1 win.
United manager Tannhäuser said after the match, "Wenger once said that getting into the top four is like winning a cup, and it's true in the Premier League because the competition in the Premier League is so fierce. Manchester United belong to the UEFA Europa League, and it is not easy to face so much competition in the EPL, so it is very important to lock up the top four positions. We at Manchester United have not yet reached our desired position, but returning to the Eredivisie is certainly an important step forward."
