Chelsea fell to a defeat on SundayChelsea fell to a defeat on Sunday
Chelsea fell to a defeat on Sunday | Getty Images
A look at the remaining games for Chelsea and their Champions League qualification rivals.
Enzo Maresca’s men were treated to a slice of fortune shortly after the game, though, with Nottingham Forest drawing to Championship-bound Leicester City. That result means the Blues remain in fifth place for now. Newcastle are now in third with 66 points, on point ahead of Manchester City in fourth. Chelsea are in fifth, two points behind City, and Aston Villa are just goal difference behind in sixth. Forest are in seventh place, one point behind Villa and Chelsea.
Here we take a look at the final two games for each of the top five hopefuls and more.
The remaining fixtures
Here are the remaining fixtures for the five teams battling for those all-important three remaining Champions League spots.
Chelsea: Man Utd (H), Nottingham Forest (A).
Newcastle United: Arsenal, (A) Everton (H).
Man City: Bournemouth (H), Fulham (A).
Nottingham Forest: West Ham (A), Chelsea (H).
Enzo Maresca’s view
Speaking after Chelsea’s defeat to Newcastle United, Maresca said: “In this stadium against this team it’s already complicated, and if you give them one extra player it’s even more difficult. The red card affected the game, no doubt, but we had three big chances in the second half, which is not easy with ten men.
“The energy, the spirit and the togetherness of the team in the second half has been fantastic. It’s something I feel proud of. Now my feeling is you need to win both games [to qualify for the Champions League].”
What Pep Guardiola has said
City boss Guardiola said after his side’s draw with Southampton: “The result, of course, it’s a missed opportunity today, we know that. They defend so deep – in the first half, after 15 or 20 minutes, I realised we need the strikers especially to break them because we didn’t expect them to be so defensive. We couldn’t get the rhythm. The second half was better and in the last 30 minutes we had a lot of chances, but it’s always difficult against a team that plays that way.
“Today we missed the crosses, the second ball, one player in the 18-yard box to dribble and shoot. Second balls and set pieces - this kind of stuff we miss a little and unfortunately, we could not get the goal we needed. We could not convert. [Southampton] can do whatever they want. For many years here we faced teams with different approaches and a team that’s been relegated to play in that way.
“It’s our duty to break them, that’s what we have to do. Many times they play five or six at the back. It’s difficult - you have to break it with transitions and creativity, free-kicks, reactions. We had the chances when you review it, but we couldn’t score. It happened. Now, prepare the final, and less time Bournemouth and then Fulham. We have three games left - the FA Cup and two games in the Premier League and I didn’t expect anything different from one month ago in that that we will need to fight until the end.”
What Eddie Howe has said
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said after his side’s win over Chelsea: "We were very pleased. The sending-off changed the game. With the scoreline as it was, it was a tricky second half for us mentally because we wanted to go and attack, and that was the message. But on the pitch, I think it felt different and Chelsea changed and tweaked things and made it difficult for us tactically. So, congratulations to them. But we hung in there and did really well mentally in that second half.
"I was pleased with how we defended. Nick's (Pope) made two magnificent saves for us. You can't forget that and the part he's played in the win today. But we got over the line and that's the main thing in a game like today.”
What Nuno Espirito Santo has said
Santo is due to a speak any minute after his side’s draw with Leicester City. His thoughts will be added shortly.
What Unai Emery has said
Villa boss Emery said after his side’s win over Bournemouth: “It’s very good. I’m very happy and proud but we can’t stop now. We have to keep going. We got Europe last week against Fulham at home and today against Bournemouth, teams that are competing very well and performing very well. They were fighting with us as their opponent.
“They were an opponent for us to get Europe. Now we’re in the run in with the teams fighting for Champions League after the way we did last week and the win we did today. We’re deserving to play the next match against Tottenham having the possibilities to be there, taking even more in Europa League or Champions League.”
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