Manchester United beat Everton 1-0 on Monday evening to hand themselves a big boost for Champions League qualification

Manchester United moved three points clear of both Liverpool and Chelsea with a victory away at Everton. Benjamin Sesko was the hero off the bench again as he struck the decisive goal on 71 minutes with a calm finish past Jordan Pickford.

The first half was far from action-packed with Diogo Dalot and Amad going close for United. Michael Carrick looked to his bench just before the hour-mark and turned to Sesko, with the striker making an impact again as he calmly finished Bryan Mbeumo’s pass in a flowing move kickstarted by a superb pass from Matheus Cunha.

Everton pushed for a route back into the game and put United under serious pressure from corners but Senne Lammens and his defence held firm to secure a third clean from their last six games.

United’s huge victory came after two of their rivals dropped points with Aston Villa drawing 1-1 at home to Leeds United and Chelsea conceding a last-minute goal against Burnley. Liverpool also scored in the final knockings of their weekend fixture to beat Nottingham Forest.

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Only six points separate the four teams fighting it out to join Arsenal and Man City in the top five, with upcoming fixtures likely to play a big role. One positive for United is that all three of the teams they are competing with European knockouts restarting soon.

With all of that being said, the Manchester Evening News looks at the fixtures on the horizon for United, Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea in the battle for Champions League places.

Manchester United

Crystal Palace (H) – Mar 1 (2pm)

Newcastle (A) – Mar 4 (8.15pm)

Aston Villa (H) – March 15 (2pm)

Bournemouth (A) – March 20 (8pm)

Leeds United (H) – April 11 (TBC)

Aston Villa

Wolves (A) – Feb 27 (8pm)

Chelsea (H) – March 4 (7.30pm)

United (A) – March 15 (2pm)

West Ham (H) – March 22 (2.15pm)

Nottingham Forest (A) – April 11 (TBC)

Chelsea

Arsenal (A) – March 1 (4.30pm)

Aston Villa (A) – March 4 (7.30pm)

Newcastle (H) – March 14 (5.30pm)

Everton (A) – March 21 (5.30pm)

Man City (H) – April 11 (TBC)

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Liverpool

West Ham (H) – Feb 28 (3pm)

Wolves (A) – March 3 (8.15pm)

Tottenham (H) – March 14 (4.30pm)

Brighton (A) – March 21 (12.30pm)

Fulham (H) – April 11 (TBC)

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