The Premier League champions took on the FA Cup winners at Anfield on matchday
38, with a party-like atmosphere in the air on Merseyside.
Crystal Palace took the lead after Ismaïla Sarr slotted home past Alisson Becker,
giving the away side something extra to celebrate about on the day. Liverpool made
things more difficult for themselves, as Ryan Gravenberch received a second yellow
card and was sent off for a challenge on the half-way line.
As time ticked on, The Reds looked to their star man for the season to help them draw level. Cody Gakpo headed down in the six-yard box and Mo Salah’s powerful strike took a deflection off Max Lacroix and beat Dean Henderson. At full-time, there was jubilant celebrations, which ended with Liverpool lifting the Premier League trophy.
One thing that was not confirmed, was the UEFA Champions League places.
Liverpool and Arsenal were the only two teams who confirmed a top five finish to
play in the competition. Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League win also seen The
Lilywhites confirm a spot in the competition next campaign.
Manchester City travelled to Craven Cottage aiming for a win, which would secure a
third-place finish for the side. With 21 minutes on the clock, 34-year-old İlkay
Gündoğan scored a bicycle-kick from close range to put Manchester City in the lead.
In the second-half, City won a penalty and had the opportunity to double their lead.
There was no question marks over who was taking the spot-kick, as Erling Haaland stepped up and slotted home to make sure Pep Guardiola’s side finish the season in third.
Nottingham Forest faced Chelsea at home, with either side able to finish in the
Champions League places. But, each side had to win if they wanted a top five finish.
Forest created multiple good opportunities in the match, with Chris Wood coming the
closest whilst the game was level, but Levi Colwill broke the deadlock in the game
and put Chelsea ahead.
Pedro Neto’s ball across the face of goal found the right boot of Colwill, who scored into an open goal. A chance at 1-0 for Chris Wood to bring his side level was squandered and The Blues had confirmed a fourth-place finish.
Now it was between Newcastle United and Aston Villa to see who finishes in the final
spot for Champions League football.
Newcastle United had a favourable fixture at home to Everton. The Magpies who
were favourites going into the game had to pick up three points to know the job is
done for their fifth spot finish. Six league home wins in a row was the record of
Newcastle going into the game, but they were left shook when Carlos Alcaraz put
The Toffees 1-0 up.
Fabian Schär had multiple opportunities to score, from close range chances to long
range shots, but nothing tested Jordan Pickford too much. There was one last hope
for Newcastle, and that was if Manchester United won at home to Villa…
Old Trafford has been a dark and dull place this season and the spirits were low
following Wednesday’s disappointing Europa League final loss. But The Red Devils
started quickly with plenty of chances, but failed to convert any of them. Minutes
before half-time, Emi Martinez charged out of his box and clattered into United’s
Rasmus Højlund, with the goalkeeper being sent off in his final match for The
Villains.
Villa weathered the storm from United and did put the ball in the back of the net, but
Morgan Rogers’ goal was disallowed due to a suspected foul in the build-up to the
play. As the referee blew the whistle before the goal had been scored, VAR could not
intervene.
Just minutes after the incident, Amad Diallo’s looping header found the back of the
net to put the home side in the lead. Deep into the game, Diallo was brought down
and Ruben Amorim’s side had a penalty.
On his final competitive match for the club,Christian Eriksen’s slotted home and doubled his side’s lead.
Villa’s loss away at Old Trafford brought a buzz to St James’ Park, who knew that
Newcastle United had Champions League football.
Newcastle were not the only North East side to be happy this weekend, as
Sunderland sealed a 95th minute win against Sheffield United in the Championship
play-off final, to send The Black Cats to the Premier League, for the first time in eight
years.
