UCL: Liverpool, Chelsea in, Leicester out, City Celebrates EPL title in style
Chelsea is indebted to rivals Tottenham Hotspur after claiming the fourth spot on the EPL table and qualifying for next season’s Champions League despite a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, the Blues started the day in third, one point ahead of fourth-placed Leicester City and Liverpool in fifth. It meant a win at Villa Park would guarantee Chelsea a top-four finish and a place in the European Cup regardless of results elsewhere.
Ultimately, Chelsea did have to rely on other results. After going down 2-0 following Bertrand Traore’s scuffed finish and Anwar El Ghazi’s penalty either side of halftime
However, as for the Foxes Jamie Vardy penalties weren’t enough to secure a European football for his side after they slipped at home to a 2-4 defeat to Tottenham HotSpurs.
Spurs leveled through an own goal from Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel before Gareth Bale grabbed a late brace for a comeback 4-2 result at the King Power Stadium.
The Blues have slipped one place to fourth following Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace but did enough to finish ahead of Leicester by the slimmest of margins – level on points but with a better goal difference of two – to take a measure of revenge against the team that beat them in the FA Cup final.
Liverpool secured a place in next season’s Champions League by sweeping aside Crystal Palace 2-0 as 10 000 fans returned to Anfield on Sunday.
Sadio Mane struck either side of halftime as the Reds registered an eighth win in their final 10 games of the season to finish third in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had to celebrate the club’s first league triumph for 30 years in an empty stadium last season and their Premier League title defense was blown off course by a series of long-term injuries to key players.
A special prize to celebrate the most special of players
Kun Sergio Aguero scored a brace in his final Premier League appearance as Manchester City thrashed Everton 5-0.
The hosts flew into the lead after just ten minutes as Kevin De Bruyne rifled a stunning effort past Jordan Pickford from 20 yards.
And three minutes later they made it two as Gabriel Jesus cut inside before lashing past the England goalkeeper.The 10,000 supporters then roared Aguero on to the pitch for his final Premier League appearance for the club.
The Champions finished their Premier League season in style with the perfect preparation for next week’s Champions League final, while Everton missed out on a Europa League spot.
Tobi Sangotola
