Chelsea 1 Huddersfield Town 1
Huddersfield Town will be in the Premier League next season after drawing at Chelsea. The result will severely dent the Blues’s hopes of finishing in the top four.
They lie fifth, unable now to catch third-placed Tottenham, who took three points off Newcastle at Wembley. They must hope results go their way in the final round of matches on Sunday.
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It looks unlikely, however. Chelsea trails Liverpool by two points with the Reds hosting Brighton in the final game of the season. Chelsea must also win away at Newcastle which, judging by their steely performance against Spurs, won’t be easy.
Last night’s result might well mark the end of Antonio Conte’s time in charge at Chelsea. The Italian is unable to inspire the club to the same level of performance that last season won them the league title.
“We dropped many points this season,” said Conte, who had Marcos Alonso to thank for the Chelsea goal. “I’m realistic. I think at the end of the season you finish in the position that you deserve.”
Although he has 12 months left on his contract, Conte didn’t ooze confidence when asked if he expected to see out the final year. He said it was up to Chelsea to “take the best decision”.
Huddersfield manager David Wagner will certainly be in charge of the Terriers next season after they won their relegation dogfight. As the Yorkshire fans gave a lusty rendition of “we are staying up” at the end of last night’s 1-1 draw, the German was given the bumps by his players, one of whom was Laurent Depoitre, the man who scored the all-important goal.
“This is an absolute overachievement,” said Wagner, who admitted his squad would be allowed “more than one beer” by way of reward.
“It’s a bigger achievement than the promotion last season. Last year we were predicted to be relegated and we got promoted. This season we were predicted to be a team relegated by miles… but part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try it. To have passion, desire... how big you are doesn’t count. It’s about trying everything.”
Huddersfield’s point at Stamford Bridge means that Swansea are all but doomed to relegation. The Welsh club requires a win at home to Stoke on Sunday and will be hoping Manchester City put nine unanswered goals past Southampton.
Champions City set new record
Even by Manchester City’s glorious standards that looks unlikely. They scored three against Brighton last night (the Seagulls managed one in reply) to extend their lead at the top of the table to 20 points. At the same time they surpassed the 95 points achieved by Chelsea in 2004-05.
Having broken one record, the Sky Blues could set another on Sunday if they beat Southampton to become the first top-flight English club to reach a century of points.
Top four for Tottenham
A goal against Newcastle from Harry Kane on 50 minutes secured Tottenham Champions League football for a third successive season.
Spurs host Leicester (who beat Arsenal 3-1 last night) on Sunday. If they win that fixture – while Manchester United lose their remaining two matches – they will finish second.
As it is, Spurs are guaranteed to end the season as the best-placed club from London for the first time since 1995. It’s an impressive feat given their temporary relocation to Wembley because of the renovation of White Hart Lane.
“To finish above Arsenal and Chelsea means a lot,” said captain Hugo Lloris. “We can be proud of our season. It has been tough. We felt we have played 37 games away from home. You can say whatever you want but Wembley is not our stadium.”
Premier League results and fixtures
Last night’s results
- Chelsea 1 Huddersfield Town 1
- Leicester City 3 Arsenal 1
- Manchester City 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
- Tottenham Hotspur 1 Newcastle United 0
Tonight’s fixture
- West Ham United vs. Manchester United (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports)
Final day fixtures: Sunday 13 May (3pm kick-off)
- Burnley vs. AFC Bournemouth
- Crystal Palace vs. West Bromwich Albion
- Huddersfield Town vs. Arsenal
- Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- Manchester United vs. Watford
- Newcastle United vs. Chelsea
- Southampton vs. Manchester City
- Swansea City vs. Stoke City
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester City
- West Ham United vs. Everton
