Chelsea seal CL spot thanks to Spurs; Liverpool through
LONDON: Liverpool and Chelsea seized the final two Champions League places in a dramatic end to the Premier League season on Sunday, leaving Leicester heartbroken for the second consecutive campaign.
With Manchester City guaranteed the title and United certain to finish second, the focus was on the battle for the final two places in the top four.
Two Sadio Mane goals gave Liverpool a 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace, while Thomas Tuchel’s side were indebted to a late Leicester collapse against Tottenham at King Power Stadium. Chelsea lost 2-1 at Aston Villa but were saved by the 4-2 defeat for Brendan Rodgers’ FA Cup winners.
Jamie Vardy put the pressure on deposed champions Liverpool and Chelsea early on a seesaw afternoon, putting Leicester ahead from the penalty spot.
But Mane calmed nerves for Liverpool in the 36th minute and minutes later Harry Kane, possibly playing his final game for Spurs, levelled for the visitors at the King Power.
Chelsea were rocked when Bertrand Traore fired Villa ahead just before the break.
Vardy then scored again from the penalty spot shortly after half time and minutes later Villa doubled their lead when Anwar El Ghazi beat substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from the penalty spot.
At that stage it looked as though Chelsea would miss out on the top four.
They pulled a goal back but the key action took place at the King Power, where a Kasper Schmeichel own goal and two late Gareth Bale strikes turned the game around.
Key results: Leicester City to Tottenham 2-4, Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-1, Liverpool beat Crystal Palace Man City beat Everton Wolves lost to Man United