Chelsea exact revenge
London, May 19: Chelsea are on course to qualify for the Champions League after a crucial 2-1 win against top-four rivals Leicester, while Brighton staged a superb fightback to beat champions Manchester City as fans returned to the Premier League on Tuesday.
Supporters have been allowed back into Premier League matches this week for the first time since December following the UK’s easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Around 8,000 fans were at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea moved into the third place at Leicester’s expense, while 7,900 saw Brighton’s dramatic 3-2 victory against City.
There were 10,000 United fans at Old Trafford for their 1-1 draw with relegated Fulham and 8,000 at Southampton for their 2-0 defeat against Leeds.
Chelsea avenged Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup final defeat against Leicester to steal a march on the Foxes in the race for the top four.
Thomas Tuchel’s side broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when Antonio Rudiger bundled home after a corner was unwittingly flicked on by Leicester’s Luke Thomas.
Jorginho doubled Chelsea’s lead with a 66th-minute penalty after VAR ruled Wesley Fofana fouled Timo Werner.
Kelechi Iheanacho set up a tense finale when the Leicester striker slotted home in the 76th minute.
But Chelsea held on and emotions ran high in stoppage-time after a brawl erupted featuring virtually every player and
members of both teams’ coaching staffs.
Chelsea will be guaranteed to finish third if they win at Aston Villa in their last game of the season on Sunday.
MANCHESTER CITY STUNNED
Joao Cancelo was sent off in the 10th minute after the City defender hauled down Danny Welbeck.
Phil Foden increased City’s lead in the 48th minute with a fine solo effort, only for Leandro Trossard to get one back moments later. Adam Webster equalised with a thumping header in the 72nd minute before Dan Burn grabbed the winner from close range four minutes later.
The return of fans to Old Trafford was peaceful despite fears of more angry protests against United’s owners the Glazer family.
Some held up signs reading “Glazers Out” and chanted against the Americans, but the discontent was drowned out by songs of praise for Edinson Cavani in the 15th minute. Bruno Fernandes flicked David De Gea’s long ball into Cavani’s path and the Uruguay striker, spotting Alphonse Areola off his line, lofted a gorgeous 40yard chip over the Fulham keeper.