Enzo Maresca stated beating Liverpool was “necessary” however insisted Chelsea’s battle to safe a Champions League place “shouldn’t be completed”.
Chelsea made it three Premier League wins on the bounce and prolonged their unbeaten run to 6 with a 3-1 victory towards the newly-crowned champions at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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With fourth-placed Newcastle held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton earlier within the day, it means Chelsea, who sit fifth, have moved degree on factors with the Magpies with three video games left to play.
Chelsea host Swedish membership Djurgarden within the second-leg of their Convention League semi-final on Thursday with a 4-1 mixture benefit to defend.
“The win has been necessary, however it isn’t completed. We have to play three video games and go recreation by recreation,” Maresca instructed BBC Match of the Day.
“Now on Thursday we now have the second leg – we have to be centered on that and attempt to attain the European ultimate.”
Simply 4 factors separate Manchester Metropolis in third from Aston Villa in seventh, however sixth-placed Nottingham Forest nonetheless have a recreation in hand.
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The Premier League’s prime 5 are all assured a spot within the Champions League subsequent season.
Newcastle had the chance to climb as much as third with a win at Brighton however they needed to accept a draw with Alexander Isak’s 89th-minute penalty incomes a share of the factors.
The Carabao Cup winners stay fourth with video games towards Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton left to play.
“It is all to play for. We have now three big video games, three very powerful video games in numerous methods. Two of them are at dwelling and we hope that may make the distinction,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe instructed Sky Sports activities.
There might be not less than eight Premier league groups competing in Europe subsequent season – up from the same old seven – however issues might change within the ultimate weeks of the marketing campaign.
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Twelfth-placed Crystal Palace, who , might nonetheless find yourself qualifying for Europe through the league or by beating Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup ultimate later this month.
BBC Sport appears to be like at what number of groups might qualify for every of the continental competitions: the Champions League, Europa League and Convention League.
[BBC]
Who do the contenders have left to play?
Liverpool: Arsenal (H); Brighton (A); Crystal Palace (H)
Arsenal: Liverpool (A); Newcastle (H); Southampton (A)
Newcastle: Chelsea (H); Arsenal (A); Everton (H)
Nottingham Forest: Crystal Palace (A); Leicester (H); West Ham (A); Chelsea (H)
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Manchester Metropolis: Southampton (A); Bournemouth (H); Fulham (A)
Chelsea: Newcastle (A); Manchester United (H); Nottingham Forest (A)
Aston Villa: Bournemouth (A); Tottenham (H); Manchester United (A)
Bournemouth: Aston Villa (H); Manchester Metropolis (A); Leicester (H)
Fulham: Everton (H); Brentford (A); Manchester Metropolis (H)
Brighton: Wolves (A); Liverpool (H); Tottenham (A)
Brentford: Ipswich (A); Fulham (H); Wolves (A)
Crystal Palace: Nottingham Forest (H); Tottenham (A); Wolves (H); Liverpool (A)
What number of groups might qualify for the Champions League?
Relying on how issues pan out this season, there might be between eight and 11 groups from the Premier League collaborating in Europe subsequent season.
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At the least 5 of these might be within the Champions League due to England’s improved efficiency in Uefa’s coefficient rankings.
That quantity might rise to 6 ought to Arsenal win the Champions League and end outdoors the highest 5 – an unlikely prospect – and even seven if that occurs and Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League.
Man Utd and Spurs each stole a march on their opponents within the first leg of their Europa League semi-final ties, beating Athletic Membership 3-0 and Bodo/Glimt 3-1 respectively.
[BBC]
What number of groups might qualify for the Europa League?
The utmost of three Premier League groups could possibly be competing within the Europa League subsequent season.
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Two locations will doubtless go to the crew who end sixth and the FA Cup winners.
Nonetheless, if the cup winners have already secured a European place, it would then go to the subsequent highest positioned aspect who haven’t certified for Europe.
A 3rd place could possibly be awarded if Chelsea win the Convention League and fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The Blues’ hopes of lifting that trophy have been boosted on Thursday due to a 4-1 win at Djurgarden within the first-leg of their semi-final.
[BBC]
What in regards to the Convention League?
There might be one Convention League place awarded to a Premier League crew.
As issues stand that can go to Carabao Cup winners Newcastle, however that might change if Eddie Howe’s aspect qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League.
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As Newcastle at the moment sit inside the highest 4, that appears doubtless.
Even a ninth or Tenth-place end might realistically be sufficient to safe a spot in subsequent season’s Convention League.
How might 11 English groups be in Europe?
This might nonetheless occur, however it’s extremely unbelievable.
It could require Arsenal to win the Champions League, Manchester United or Tottenham to win the Europa League and Chelsea to elevate the Convention League trophy, and all three winners to complete outdoors the highest six.
Arsenal are second within the Premier League and unlikely to complete outdoors the highest 5.