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Chelsea's draw is symbolic of a messy race for the top four

Chelsea and Arsenal could be on course to reach the Europa League Final, and the way things are g...
John Duggan
John Duggan

09.49 23 Apr 2019


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Chelsea's draw is symbolic of...

Chelsea's draw is symbolic of a messy race for the top four

John Duggan
John Duggan

09.49 23 Apr 2019


Share this article


Chelsea and Arsenal could be on course to reach the Europa League Final, and the way things are going, both clubs could be back in the Europa League next season if they don't win next month's decider in Baku.

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last night, with Jeff Hendrick among the scorers as the visitors frustrated Chelsea.

It's a result which leaves the Pensioners on 67 points with 3 games to play.  Their remaining matches are against Manchester United, Watford and Leicester City.

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Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in the position of having lost twice to Manchester City in a week, but through to the Champions League semi finals on away goals and unaffected in the race for the top four by nature of Manchester United and Arsenal's defeats over the weekend and Chelsea's stalemate.

Spurs welcome Brighton to the new White Hart Lane this evening.  Mauricio Pochettino's side have won all 3 games at their new stadium, scoring 10 goals and conceding none.

Spurs are on 67 points, having played one game less than Chelsea, and the same amount of matches as Arsenal and Manchester United, who rest on 66 and 64 points respectively.

If Tottenham can negotiate the Seagulls this evening, then their path to the top four may be assured, as West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton are their remaining opponents.

Losing at home to Crystal Palace was a real setback for Arsenal, coming at exactly the wrong moment.  The Gunners go to Wolves next, and will then take on Leicester City, Brighton and Burnley before the end of the campaign.

It's amazing how a narrative changes.  For Manchester United, there was huge momentum after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, but since he was awarded the permanent deal, the old cracks have appeared.  For the sake of pride alone, United's players must turn up against Manchester City at Old Trafford tomorrow, but they very much look the outsiders to play in Europe's premier competition next season.  Chelsea are next for the Red Devils on Sunday, followed by admittedly winnable games against Huddersfield and Cardiff.


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