With two Premier League games left to play, it was clear that Manchester United needed just one more point to secure a place in the top four.
The task was solved immediately when Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford. The match was not more than five minutes old when in-form Casemiro reached the top of a free-kick and headed in 1-0 to United.
Brassen’s foot was then behind the 2–0 goal. Casemiro deliciously eased the ball forward to Jadon Sancho, who in turn served Anthony Martial with an open goal in added time in the first half.
A slipping Chelsea (only twelve in the table) then had to concede another couple of goals in the second half. Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute and five minutes later Marcus Rashford was able to stroll in to make it 4-0, a goal that was the result of a hopelessly sloppy pass by the visitors’ Wesley Fofana.
United, with Victor Lindelöf in central defence, also conceded a goal when João Félix netted a consolation in the final minutes.
Manchester United are third with a game to go and two points behind Newcastle, who are also ready for the Champions League. Five Liverpool’s hopes were extinguished with United’s victory.
The Premier League ends on Sunday. The most exciting then will be the battle at the bottom where Everton, Leicester and Leeds fight not to go out – and only one team from the trio can survive.