Chelsea scored a fourth victory in the league, Wednesday at Brighton (2-0) in a late match: an ideal end to the season which allows the “Blues” to strengthen their chances of European qualification. The Londoners pushed the “Seagulls” into crisis thanks to Cole Palmer’s 22nd goal (34th, 1-0) this season in the Premier League, then an achievement from Christopher Nkunku (64th, 2-0), served by his compatriot Malo Gusto.
Fifth place held by Tottenham (63 points), three points ahead, seems unattainable for Mauricio Pochettino’s team (60 pts) before the final day, Sunday. But Chelsea seem well on their way to securing the final sixth place, synonymous with qualification for the Conference League, or even for the Europa League if Manchester City wins the FA Cup on May 25 against neighbor United.
The west London club pushed its most threatening competitor, Newcastle (7th, 57 pts), beaten 3-2 at the same time by Manchester United (8th, 57 pts).
A draw will be enough on Sunday against Bournemouth, at home, to secure sixth place. This outcome would be an almost unexpected “happy ending” for the “Blues”, with a failed start to the season and a long-filled infirmary, notably by their rookie phrase Nkunku.
The Frenchman, who returned to competition at the beginning of May, came on before the break to replace the injured Mykhailo Mudryk, and scored his third goal of the season, on the eve of Didier Deschamps’ announcement for Euro-2024. Chelsea shivered at the end of the match after the exclusion of captain Reece James (88th), guilty of a bad gesture, then the reduction of the score signed by Danny Welbeck (90th 8th). But he held on against Brighton, the tenth, who suffered their fifth defeat in nine matches on Wednesday.
Newcastle is the big loser of the evening after its defeat at Old Trafford, where the youth of Manchester United made the difference: Kobbie Mainoo (31st, 1-0), 19 years old, then Amad Diallo (57th, 2-1) and Rasmus Hojlund (84th, 3-1), both 21, scored for the “Red Devils”. Erik ten Hag’s team leaves behind a series of three matches without a victory in the league and stores some hope before the “Cup” final in ten days at Wembley.
