🔎 The Debrief as Chelsea, Man City & Newcastle seal UCL on final day
Here's what we made of it.
What happened? 📝
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Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle booked their places in next season's Champions League over a nail biting 90 minutes.
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Levi Colwill was the hero for the Blues in their 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, while İlkay Gündoğan and Erling Haaland stepped up to seal third for City with a 2-0 victory at Fulham.
It was an even more nervous afternoon for Newcastle who stumbled to a surprise 1-0 home loss to Everton that at one point had them in sixth place.
Luckily for them, Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Old Trafford in a game that saw Ruben Amorim's side dominate, Emiliano Martínez sent off for a ridiculous challenge and Villa denied a clear goal before Amad and Christian Eriksen struck late on.
Elsewhere, Liverpool lifted the title following a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield, Arsenal won late at Southampton and Brighton smashed Europa League champions Spurs 4-1.
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There was also wins on the final day for West Ham at Ipswich, and Bournemouth at home to Leicester. The only draw of the day came at Molineux where Wolves and Brentford finished 1-1.
Player of the day 🔥
Given what was at stake today, the award has to go to a Chelsea player, and matchwinner Levi Colwill feels the obvious pick.
The 22-year-old centre back has been a standout performer for the Blues this season, starting 35 league games and alongside a wide cast of defensive partners.
On a day where his side needed to front up, he led the way, marshalling Chris Wood at the back and popping up with the all-important goal five minutes into the second half.
After the game, Colwill had no problem letting everyone know what he thought of those who doubted his side and manager Enzo Maresca, and if the Chelsea project is to be a success, it appears he, Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo will be at the heart of it.
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Today was an important step in achieving that. Now for the Europa Conference League final, and ending a four-year wait for silverware.
Stat of the Day 📊
Despite the final day heartache, what a season it's been for Forest.
What this means 🤔
📸 ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT - AFP or licensors
As mentioned, Chelsea, City and Newcastle will be three of the staggering six English sides in the Champions League next season, while Villa and Forest are left with the consolation of Europa League and Europa Conference League respectively.
Chelsea's win means Brighton won't be joining Forest in that competition, but 8th place is their second best-ever top flight finish.
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15th is Manchester United's worst since relegation in 1974, while Spurs suffer the ignominy of 17th which will probably cost Ange Postecoglou his job despite the Europa League triumph.
What they said 🗣️
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While revelling in his side's title success, Arne Slot already had one eye on next season as he looks to become only the third Liverpool manager to win back-to-back leagues, and the first since Bob Paisley in the early 1980s.
You always have to try to become better. We have to improve with these players and if there is a possibility to strengthen with the other players too. Next season the competition will be better as well."
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Enzo Maresca was unsurprisingly very proud of his young Chelsea side's qualification for the Champions League
"They grow a lot as a team and a player and they showed how good they are today.I hope so, we brought this club where it has to be. We finished sixth last year and most of the time, they forget that" added the Blues boss.
Ruben Amorim led the rallying call for the United rebuild in his end of season address to the fans, summoning the spirit of the past to hopefully inspire the future.
"Six months ago, I said the storm is coming. Today, after this disaster season, I want to tell you that the good days are coming." he said.
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If there is one club in the world that has proved in the past that they can overcome any situation or disaster, it is our club. It is Manchester United football club. Thank you very much - see you next season.'
Despite that 17th-placed finish and a bad loss today, Postecoglou was in good spirits, and it's hard to blame considering Wednesday night in Bilbao.
It doesn't bother me asking me about my future. I can't answer. i'm pretty relaxed about it. it's been an unbelievable season. I couldn't be any prouder." he said.
What's next? 👀
The Premier League season is over, but the football never stops does it?
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Chelsea and City are in the inaugural expanded Club World Cup, while it will only be a few weeks before pre-season for everyone else.
Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the never-ending transfer chat.
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