Tottenham Hotspur rescues Chelsea from Europa League
Chelsea secured a place in next season’s Champions League despite losing to Aston Villa, Thomas Tuchel’s side sealing a top-four spot ahead of Leicester City.
The Blues had started the final day of the Premier League season in third spot, knowing victory over their mid-table opponents would guarantee a place in the group stages of Europe’s prestigious knockout club competition.
Tuchel’s side carved out the better chances but fell behind when Bertrand Traore’s attempt went in off the underside of the crossbar following Matt Targett’s corner.
It went from bad to worse for Chelsea when Edouard Mendy was injured, making him a doubt for next Saturday’s Champions League final with Manchester City.
Full time scores for Top 4 battle:
Leicester City 2-4 Tottenham
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
Substitute keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was beaten by Anwar El Ghazi’s second-half penalty after former Chelsea player Traore was fouled by Jorginho, before Ben Chilwell pulled one back for the visitors from close range.
Chelsea finished the game with 10 men after captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s straight red card for a foul on Jack Grealish, but Leicester’s home defeat by Tottenham means Tuchel’s side finish the season in fourth on 67 points — one more than fifth-placed Leicester.
Today’s Premier League results and goal scorers:
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Goals: Pépé 49′ 60′
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
Goals: Traoré 43′, El Ghazi 52′ (P), Chilwell 70′
Fulham 0-2 Newcastle United
Goals: Willock 23′, Schär 88′
Leeds United 3-1 West Brom
Goals: Rodrigo 18′, Philips 42′, Bamford 73′, Robson-Kanu 90′
Leicester City 2-4 Tottenham
Goals: Vardy 18′ (P) 52′ (P), Kane 41′, Schmeichel 77′ (OG), Bale 86′ 90+6′
Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
Goals: Mané 36′ 74′
Manchester City 5-0 Everton
Goals: De Bruyne 11′, Jesus 14′, Foden 53′, Agüero 70′ 76′
Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley
Goal: McGoldrick 24′
West Ham United 3-0 Southampton
Goals: Fornals 30′ 33′, Rice 86′
Wolves 1-2 Manchester United
Goals: Elanga 13′, Semedo 39′, Mata 45+4′ (P)
