Chelsea boosted their Champions League hopes on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over a much-rotated Liverpool side, while Newcastle United were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at
Brighton & Hove Albion.
The win puts Chelsea in fifth place on 63 points, level with fourth-placed Newcastle but trailing only on goals scored. Both teams remain just one point behind third-place Manchester City, with three matches left in the Premier League season.
At Stamford Bridge, Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring within three minutes, finishing low into the net after a clever setup by Cole Palmer and Neto. Chelsea doubled their lead when Palmer’s cross deflected off Virgil van Dijk and ricocheted into the net off teammate Jarell Quansah.
Palmer, who hadn’t scored since mid-January, sealed the win with a penalty in the 96th minute after Quansah fouled Moises Caicedo.
“The team showed character. We’re happy with the win,” Caicedo told Sky Sports. “Palmer deserved his goal — he’s worked hard and took his chance.”
Liverpool, fielding six new starters after clinching the title last week, pulled one back in the 84th minute when Van Dijk scored from a corner. “We had chances, but in the end, they deserved the win,” the Dutch defender said.
Meanwhile, Newcastle kept their top-four hopes alive thanks to Alexander Isak’s late penalty at Brighton. The hosts had taken the lead through Yankuba Minteh’s powerful strike in the 28th minute, but Isak coolly slotted home his 23rd league goal in the 89th to salvage a point.
“It’s all to play for,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “We’ve got three big games left — two at home — and we’re hoping that can be the difference.”
Brentford edge young Manchester United in thriller
Elsewhere, Brentford won a seven-goal thriller 4-3 against a youthful Manchester United lineup. Kevin Schade scored twice, helping his team climb to ninth place with 52 points. United, who fielded their youngest ever Premier League starting XI ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semifinal, remain 15th with 39 points.
Seventeen-year-old Chido Obi became United’s youngest starter, and Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring against the run of play. Brentford equalized via a deflected own goal off Luke Shaw before Schade netted twice with headers and Yoane Wissa added a fourth.
Despite late goals from Garnacho and Amad Diallo, United suffered their 16th league defeat — a Premier League-era club record.
“I know Thursday is huge, but today was just as important. We needed the win,” said Mason Mount.
West Ham, Spurs Still in trouble after stalemate
West Ham and Tottenham played out a 1-1 draw that leaves both London clubs precariously close to the relegation zone.
Spurs, heavily rotated, took the lead after 15 minutes through Wilson Odobert, but Jarrod Bowen equalized shortly after for the hosts. The result leaves Tottenham 16th and West Ham 17th, each just one point above the drop zone.
“We made a lot of changes, which affected our cohesion, but the players worked hard,” said Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
Looking ahead
Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest on Monday in the final match of the weekend. Photo by inkiboo, Wikimedia commons.