City, Chelsea and Newcastle book CL berths as Villa miss out after loss

Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle secured places in next season’s Champions League as Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on a dramatic final day of the season on Sunday.

A record-equalling 20th league title for Liverpool and relegation for Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton had long since been decided, leaving the focus of attention on the battle for European places.

Liverpool and Arsenal had already secured their place in the Champions League by finishing in the top two, while Tottenham will join them after winning the Europa League on Wednesday.

City ensured a disappointing season did not end in disastrous fashion by qualifying for Europe’s top competition for the 15th consecutive season by beating Fulham 2-0 to finish third.

Ilkay Gundogan’s overhead kick from close range put Pep Guardiola’s men in front before Erling Haaland secured the points for the visitors from the penalty spot.

Chelsea ended Nottingham Forest’s dreams of a first appearance in the Champions League since they were European champions back in 1980.

Levi Colwill tapped in Pedro Neto’s cross for the Blues’ goal in a 1-0 win at the City Ground to secure fourth place for Chelsea.

Forest have to settle for seventh and a place in the UEFA Conference League.

Newcastle narrowly avoided throwing away their place in the top five after losing 1-0 at home to Everton.

Carlos Alcaraz’s header earned the Toffees victory on Tyneside.

However, the Magpies finished fifth after Aston Villa were controversially beaten 2-0 at Manchester United.

There was a mutual guard of honour at Anfield as Palace paid homage to Liverpool before the hosts repaid the favour to mark the Eagles’ FA Cup victory over City last weekend.

Liverpool’s title celebrations in 2020 took place in front of an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, meaning it was the first time in 35 years they could celebrate lifting the trophy in front of the Reds’ support.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his first return to Anfield since an emotional farewell 12 months ago.

Palace, though, spoiled the party when Ismaila Sarr slotted home the opening goal after just nine minutes.

Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the second half but the 10 men still secured a point thanks to Mohamed Salah’s deflected leveller.

Tottenham suffered a hangover from their Europa League celebrations as Brighton came from behind to win 4-1 and secure eighth place.

A double from Jack Hinshelwood, Matt O’Riley’s penalty and Diego Gomez condemned Spurs to a 22nd league defeat of the season and a 17th-placed finish.

Arsenal needed an 89th-minute winner from Martin Odegaard to beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton. West Ham were 3-1 winners at Ipswich, Leicester lost 2-0 at Bournemouth and honours were shared between Wolves and Brentford in a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa missed out on Champions League qualification on goal difference to Newcastle after a controversial 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

United bounced back from the devastating blow of losing the Europa League final to Tottenham in midweek to end a miserable season on a high thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen.

Both strikes came after Villa had goalkeeper Emi Martinez sent-off and a goal harshly out for a perceived foul by Morgan Rogers on United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Villa were furious at the decision to disallow the goal and manager Unai Emery sarcastically applauded the officials after United were awarded a late penalty that Eriksen converted.

Emery’s men have to make do with the consolation of a place in the Europa League after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Despite the win, United finished their worst ever Premier League campaign in 15th.

Defeat in Bilbao means United miss out on European football next season, and Red Devils supporterd, they took aim at the club’s owners before kick-off.

Chants and banners again called for the American Glazer family to sell their majority stake after overseeing a drastic decline in the club’s fortunes during their 20-year reign.

Agencies