Chelsea has won the battle for a Champions League ticket. The Londoners won Sunday against direct competitor Nottingham Forest: 0-1. Manchester City and Newcastle United also secured a coveted spot.
Defender Levi Colwill was of great value for Chelsea. Shortly after halftime, he scored the only goal by easily tapping in at the far post.
It meant a goal with high commercial value. The winner of the match would qualify for the lucrative Champions League, where Chelsea will probably be able to add tens of millions next season.
Nottingham Forest could have qualified for the Champions League for the first time. The club won the European Cup I, the predecessor of the Champions League, in 1979 and 1980. In recent decades, Nottingham played in the lower regions of English football. Forest must now be satisfied with a place in the preliminary round of the Conference League.
Manchester City’s Champions League ticket was no longer in danger in the last round of play. City did its duty in the away match against Fulham. It became 0-2 thanks to goals from İlkay Gündogan (bicycle kick) and Erling Haaland (penalty). The departing Kevin De Bruyne came on for City just before time.
The sixth Champions League ticket went to Newcastle. Newcastle was surprised 0-1 by already eliminated Everton at St. James’ Park, but competitor Aston Villa did not benefit from this. Villa lost 2-0 at Manchester United.
Champion Liverpool and Arsenal were already assured of a place for the Champions League, as was Tottenham Hotspur, the winner of the Europa League. The ‘Spurs’ beat Manchester United in the final on Wednesday. A Champions League ticket was up for grabs in that game.
Champion Liverpool had a somewhat disappointing end to the season. Arne Slot’s team played 1-1 at home against Crystal Palace. Ryan Gravenberch received two yellow cards for Liverpool, so the home team had to continue with ten men for the last twenty minutes.
Mo Salah equalized just before time, on a pass from Cody Gakpo. As a result, the fifth defeat of the season was prevented, Jürgen Klopp also saw in the stands.