Somehow, the race for European spots is still on for Chelsea…
Antonio Conte sees hope in Chelsea’s season once again as they look to sneak into the top four. The Italian tactician praised his team after they managed to beat Liverpool 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Oliver Giroud once again boosted The Blues by heading in his side’s only goal in the first-half.
The lone strike proved enough for Chelsea to earn their fifth consecutive win in all competitions. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino were kept at bay by their opposition as Kante and Bakayoko made practically no mistakes in midfield. This made life difficult for the aforementioned trio and the rest of Liverpool’s attacking players.
Conte’s future as Chelsea boss remains unclear, but the 48-year-old still has over 12 months to run on his contract. With the team now seemingly reunified under his stewardship, victory in the FA Cup could yet see him in charge of first-team affairs at the Bridge next season. This scenario becomes increasingly likely if, by some stroke of good fortune, qualification for the Champions League is also secured.
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool FT:
Shots: 12-9
Pass accuracy: 71%-88%
Chances created: 12-9
Possession: 32%-68%Chelsea's Champions League position hopes are reignited thanks to Olivier Giroud's goal. pic.twitter.com/RbWg1f1qsG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 6, 2018
Now, according to the Premier League table, if Chelsea wants to be a part of Europe’s elite club competition next season, they must win their remaining two matches against Huddersfield and Newcastle. Elsewhere, Tottenham would need to drop points – but are perhaps better placed to finish in the top four, with two home games left to play against Newcastle and Leicester.
Liverpool will likely qualify for the Champions League as long as they grind out a win on the final match-day against Brighton. Klopp’s men currently possess a three-point advantage over Chelsea, and have a commanding goal difference of +42. This is a whopping +15 higher than Chelsea, and it would take two landslide victories for Conte’s Blues to see off the Anfield side if they both finish level on points.
The Merseyside club had won only three of the eleven Premier League games played directly after a Champions League fixture before this one. In addition to that, they had also managed to win just one of their last four away games in the top-flight. Over-exhaustion could be to blame for their hiccups – but it has set up an exciting finish to the season nonetheless.