Duel for the Champions League
Manchester United and the FC Chelsea were ahead of the final day of the Premier League with 63 points each in third and fourth place, one point behind in fifth place, the first Europa League place, was Leicester City.
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In a direct duel with Manchester, Leicester gradually took control and came up with the first chances. The best was awarded top scorer Jamie Vardy from short distance after United goalkeeper David de Gea was unable to hold onto a durable ball (25th minute). It was only in the closing stages of the first half that Manchester scored good goals through Marcus Rashford (42nd and 45th +2) and Anthony Martial (45th +1).
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Chelsea meanwhile took the lead in a parallel game after a double strike by Mason Mount (45. + 1) and Oliver Giroud (45. + 4) shortly before the break against Wolverhampton Wanderers, so Leicester would have needed a win against United to reach the Champions League.
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After the break, Leicester had the chance again. Vardy hit the crossbar with a ball arc lamp (60th) Eight minutes later, United were awarded a penalty. Bruno Fernandes sent Anthony Martial with a long ball and was brought down in the penalty area by Jonathan Evans and Wesley Morgan. Fernandes surely turned 1-0 (71st).
Leicester now needed two goals and played accordingly offensive. A hit was no longer possible. But United scored again in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Jesse Lingard pushed the ball into an empty goal on a counterattack. United will play in the Champions League next season.
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With Chelsea it was at the 2-0 break, so the blues also moved into the premier class.
The Europa League decision
Tottenham Hotspur will play European next season, Wolverhampton Wanderers have to keep their fingers crossed for Chelsea in the cup.
The Spurs were seventh before matchday 38, one point behind the Wolverhampton Wanderers in sixth, and had to hope for support from the London neighborhood. Since Chelsea won, the Spurs had one point against Crystal Palace due to the better goal difference to reach the qualification for the Europa League. Jose Mourinho’s team took the lead through captain Harry Kane (13th). Jeffrey Schlupp equalized for Palace (53.).
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The Wanderers, in seventh place, must hope that Chelsea will win the FA Cup against Arsenal. Then the seventh of the league would qualify for the Europa League, in this case the Wanderers.
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The relegation battle
Aston Villa avoided relegation from the Premier League with a point win on matchday one.
AFC Bournemouth, FC Watford and Aston Villa were still fighting relegation on matchday 38, while Norwich City had long been a relegated relegated team. Bournemouth had the worst starting position, had to win and hope for defeats by both opponents to stay in the league.
The AFCB won 3-1 (2-1) at Everton. However, since Aston Villa played 1-1 (0-0) at West Ham United, the Birmingham team was able to defend 17th place, the first non-relegation spot, thanks to the point gain. Bournemouth descends with Watford, who lost 2: 3 (1: 3) at Arsenal, and Norwich City.
Meister FC Liverpool ended the season 3-1 (1-1) at Newcastle United. Virgil van Dijk (38.), Divock Origi (59.) and Sadio Mané (89.) met for Jürgen Klopp’s team. Gayle Dwight had given Newcastle the lead in the first minute.
Further results:
FC Southampton – Sheffield United 3:1
Manchester City – Norwich City 5:0
FC Burnley – Brighton & Hove Albion 1:2
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