Liverpool cruised back into the Champions League next season by easing past Brighton 4-0 on Sunday as Mohamed Salah set a new Premier League record of 32 goals in a 38-game season.
Mohamed Salah’s clinical first-half strike against Brighton helped confirm Liverpool’s presence in the Champions League next term, and also saw the Egyptian break the record for most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season.
Brighton had no answers at a sun-kissed Anfield as Salah’s sensational form continued with him scoring his 32nd league goal of the campaign. Dejan Lovren and maiden Liverpool goals for Dominic Solanke and Andy Robertson ensured there was no final day collapse against an already safe Brighton side that simply could not cope with Liverpool’s attack in the 4-0 loss. Before kick-off Jurgen Klopp’s men had to forget about trying to win the Champions League in favour of just qualifying for the competition next season.
Upcoming events in Kiev were, understandably, on everybody’s minds at Anfield, but a victory over Brighton was the immediate priority before focusing on the Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 26.
Chelsea’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League was confirmed as they completed a disappointing Premier League campaign by collapsing to a dismal 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday. In what is widely expected to be Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s final league game in charge, Ayoze Perez scored twice after Dwight Gayle’s opener, and the below-par Blues had to settle for finishing fifth.
That condemns them to a place in the less prestigious Europa League next season.
Victory at St James’ Park allied to a final-day defeat for Liverpool would have seen Chelsea snatch fourth, and while they failed in their task, it was rendered academic as Klopp’s Champions League finalists ran out comfortable winners against Brighton.
Conte’s side still have the incentive of silverware to play for when they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final next Saturday.
A first-half goal by Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United a 1-0 home win over Watford on Sunday and produced a fine farewell to the club’s stalwart Michael Carrick who played his final Premier League game for the club.
Carrick, who is unlikely to be picked for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea and will assume a coaching role at United next season, was treated to a guard of honour by both teams before kick off and received a standing ovation from the fans. A tepid encounter was settled in the 34th minute when 36-year old Carrick rolled back the years to find Juan Mata with a delightful pass and the Spaniard squared it back for Rashford to tap the ball in.
Manchester United’s stand-in goalkeeper Sergio Romero pulled off a fine double save on the stroke of halftime.
A classic end-of-season sizzler saw Tottenham say farewell to their temporary Wembley home by coming back from 3-1 down to beat Leicester City 5-4 and secure third place in the Premier League.
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez revived memories of Leicester’s memorable title two years ago as they struck before halftime with Harry Kane replying for Spurs.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s stunner put Leicester two clear just after halftime but it provoked a furious Spurs response in which Erik Lamela struck twice either side of an own goal by Christian Fuchs who deflected Lamela’s shot in off his knee. Vardy slammed in an equaliser for Leicester after a deft pass by Mahrez but Kane had the last laugh in the battle of the England strikers when he cut in from the left and curled home a delightful rightfooter.