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Not that long ago, it looked like Chelsea would end up finishing outside the top-four and languish in Europa League for another season. Losses in key matches against Arsenal, Bournemouth and Manchester City could have (should have?) put an early end to our quest of returning to proper continental football.
But then, end of season fatigue hit the remaining four non-title-contenders of the top six, wherein neither of Spurs, Arsenal, Manchester United, or even Chelsea looked keen on securing a Champions League spot. Chelsea’s win today was just the second in the last four rounds by any of the four teams!
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Chelsea’s place was secured by Arsenal failing to beat Brighton & Hove Albion at home, despite getting a lucky penalty in the first half.
Earlier Manchester United failed to beat Huddersfield, one of the worst teams to ever play Premier League football!
What a day!
Glenn Murray's second-half penalty sets up a frantic finish at the Emirates, but a point apiece all but ends Arsenal's top-four ambitions#ARSBHA pic.twitter.com/9GSCWnFL49
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 5, 2019
Chelsea’s win over Watford propelled us to third-place with 71 points, taking over Tottenham’s former spot and now holding a one-point lead over them. We’re guaranteed at least a fourth place finish and the only way fourth place wouldn’t have made it to the Champions League was if both teams finishing in 5th and 6th would’ve won a European trophy. Arsenal may yet win the Europa League, but United are not involved in Europe anymore.
This takes all the pressure off next weekend’s game at Leicester City, and all efforts and focus can be put on Thursday’s Europa League semifinal second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.
And since the top four finish, as important as it may be, is not a trophy, let’s win something, shall we?