Liverpool, Chelsea seal CL spots

Birmingham, May 24

On a dramatic final day of the Premier League, which brought unexpected results, Chelsea finished fourth, and despite a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa they scraped through for next season’s Champions League after Leicester lost, 4-2, to Tottenham.

With the two Manchester clubs already having qualified in first and second positions, only two of three teams could have filled the remaining two slots. Leicester’s surprising defeat knocked them out, leaving Liverpool, who beat Crystal Palace, 2-0, and Chelsea to go through after a tense finish for all three teams.

Chelsea’s defeat was a shock result and they will need to compose themselves before the current Champions League final against Manchester City next Saturday. Their manager, Thomas Tuchel, said: “We were lucky Tottenham did the job for us. We need to adjust details and be spot-on next Saturday because we want a positive result. We will try to evolve and make them better and learn. It is our story this season. We needed many clean sheets to overcome this lack of composure and lack of precision.”

He added: “We conceded two goals out of nothing and from set-pieces. We made it hard to come back but had enough chances to turn it around. The performance was by far good enough to win the game. We did not score, conceded two cheap goals and it was a defeat in the end.”

Despite enjoying most of the possession and playing well Chelsea lacked finishing. They missed excellent chances to take the lead when Mason Mount fired over the bar and Timo Werner miscued on the volley. Villa too missed chances with Bertrand Traore forcing a fine save and John McGinn shooting wide.

But two minutes before half time Villa took the lead. Chelsea conceded a corner which Matt Targett pulled back to Traore whose shot hit the underside of the crossbar and went over the line. The goalkeeper Edouard Mendy hurt himself against the post and was replaced at half-time. Villa doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half.

On receiving a pass from Jack Grealish, Traore was fouled by Jorginho and the referee pointed to the spot. Chelsea players disputed but the VAR backed the decision and Anwar El Ghazi sent Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way.

Finally, with 20 minutes remaining Chelsea scored. Pulisic crossed to the far post and Ben Chilwell raced in for a shot which crossed the line. Azpilicueta was sent off in the 89th minute for lashing out at Grealish as the pair fell in a tackle. Chelsea threw everything forward to get a positive result but instead it was the result from the match 40 miles away that brought them massive relief and joy.

On Mendy’s injury, Tuchel said: “He has big pain in his ribs. We need to wait and do some images and have an update. We have a week to prepare (for the final) and we will do all we can to see he is involved on Saturday.”