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Final day shuffle adds drama in Premier League

Controversy, emotion and fine margins define a dramatic end to the 2024–25 season

3 MIN READ

Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca hugs Chelsea's Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez after the English Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

AFP

Dubai: Five into three doesn’t go. That was the equation facing Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season. When the dust settled, three clubs had booked Champions League tickets — while two were left eyeing second-tier silverware.

Although the title race was settled weeks ago, the final matchday of the 2024–25 season delivered all the drama fans could ask for. European hopes were on the line, and across England, fortunes swung with every goal, miss and refereeing decision.

Six teams in Champions League

In the end, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester City claimed the three remaining Champions League places, joining title-winners Arsenal, runners-up Liverpool and Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur in Europe’s top-tier competition. Spurs finished 17th in the league but earned their place by lifting the Europa League trophy.

That means six English teams will compete in next season’s Champions League — a record haul under Uefa’s revised qualification rules. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, who narrowly missed out, will feature in the Europa League and Conference League respectively.

Newcastle hold their nerve—just

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United stumbled to a 1-0 defeat against a resurgent Everton at St James’ Park, but it wasn’t enough to derail their European dream. Newcastle finished fifth on 66 points, level with Aston Villa, but edged them out on goal difference.

It was a nervous end to the campaign, but Newcastle’s consistent performances across the season proved enough. For Villa, it was a case of what might have been.

A controversial moment at Old Trafford may haunt Unai Emery’s side. With the match still goalless, Morgan Gibbs-White appeared to have cleanly won the ball from the United goalkeeper before scoring—only for the referee to call it back for a foul. That disallowed goal could have dramatically changed their fate.

Chelsea’s return to Europe’s elite

Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest secured fourth place and a return to the Champions League for the first time since the club’s change in ownership three years ago.

It was a bitter blow for Forest, who had spent much of the season in the top four but couldn’t hold their nerve in the run-in. Still, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side will feature in Europe for the first time in decades after clinching a Conference League spot. Just a year ago, they narrowly avoided relegation.

For Chelsea, the future looks promising. With the youngest squad in the league, Champions League qualification could be key to attracting elite talent. Manager Enzo Maresca has had a strong debut season, but expectations will be even higher next year. The Blues also have a domestic cup final against Real Betis on Wednesday, offering a shot at silverware to cap their comeback campaign.

City third, De Bruyne bids farewell

Manchester City didn’t hit their usual heights this season but still managed a third-place finish. Their final-day win ensured Champions League qualification, though Pep Guardiola is likely to make changes this summer.

It was also an emotional send-off for club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who played his final game in City colours. The Belgian midfielder departs as one of the club’s all-time greats, leaving behind a legacy of brilliance and silverware.

From near-misses to new horizons

Nine English clubs will play in Europe next season, and the balance of power is subtly shifting. Forest are back in Europe, Chelsea are rebuilding, and Newcastle continue their rise under Howe. For others like Aston Villa, it’s a summer to reflect and reload.

The Champions League places may be decided, but the ambitions remain just as fierce — because in the Premier League, there’s never really a finish line.

Complete European qualification breakdown

Champions League (6 teams)

Liverpool - Premier League champions

Arsenal - Runners-up

Manchester City - Third place

Chelsea - Fourth place

Newcastle United - Fifth place

Tottenham Hotspur - Europa League winners

Europa League (2 teams)

Aston Villa - Sixth place finish

Crystal Palace - FA Cup champions

Conference League (1 team)

Nottingham Forest - Seventh place finish

— From code to kick-off: Gulf News’ Mohammed Shamsheer spends his weekdays in DevOps and weekends watching football — a proud Chelsea supporter through and through.

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