Liverpool and Chelsea seal Champions Group places in last-day drama
Liverpool and Chelsea seized the ultimate two Champions League places in a good dramatic end to the Premier Group season on Sunday, leaving Leicester heartbroken for the next consecutive campaign.
With Manchester City already guaranteed a third title in four years and Manchester United certain to complete second, the focus was on the battle for the rest of the two places in the top four.
Heading into the 38th and last round of fittings, just one stage separated Chelsea in third place by Leicester in fifth.
Two Sadio Mane goals gave Liverpool a 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace, while Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea were indebted to a later Leicester collapse against Tottenham at the King Ability Stadium.
Chelsea lost 2-1 at Aston Villa but were saved by the 4-2 defeat for Brendan Rodgers' FA Glass winners.
Liverpool had to celebrate the club's first group triumph for 30 years within an empty stadium last period and their Premier League title defence was blown off program by some injuries to major players.
However they avoided the financial reach of passing up on Europe's top golf club competition by getting their form in the final months of the growing season, winning eight of their previous 10 games to complete third.
"Outstanding, best I could've dreamt of -- we wanted this feeling, this game, this ambiance," Jurgen Klopp told the BBC following the win before 10,000 fans.
"Finishing the season in third is incredible, I can't believe it -- credit rating to the boys. I can't consider how it worked out in the last couple of weeks, incredible."
Chelsea were on the brink of passing up on a top-four surface finish, trailing at Villa Recreation area as goals from Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi set the home side 2-0 up.
Ben Chilwell pulled an objective back, but in the finish Chelsea were saved by the Leicester result to finish fourth, meaning they are able to now focus on up coming weekend's Champions Little league final against Manchester City knowing they are in your competition next season.
Tuchel admitted Chelsea had been "lucky" to qualify.
"We had enough possibilities," he said. "We didn't score, conceded two low cost goals and it had been a defeat in the end. We happen to be lucky to escape today."
- Leicester pain -
Leicester were still left to dwell on another agonising near-miss, only a week after winning the FA Glass for the very first time in their history.
The Foxes, forced to settle for a Europa Group spot, also missed out on the top four on the final day of last season if they were beaten by Manchester United.
Leicester ended with an increase of days found in the Premier League's leading four than any other part this season, increasing their impression of frustration.
They appeared to be on the brink of a stunning end with their campaign as two Jamie Vardy penalties saw them lead 2-1 with 16 minutes to go, but a Kasper Schmeichel own goal and two late Gareth Bale strikes completed a turnaround for Spurs.
Harry Kane was first also on the scoresheet found in potentially his final match for Spurs to win his third Golden Boot award.
The England captain finished one before Liverpool's Mohamed Salah on 23 goals and in addition found the prize for some assists in the growing season with 14.
"It's hugely disappointing for us," said Rodgers. "We fought so difficult all season. I generally stated you're judged after 38 games and however we couldn't quite help to make it."
West Ham secured a Europa Group place by beating Southampton 3-0 even though Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United had recently been relegated.
Tottenham finished seventh to have a Europa Conference League area.
- Aguero signs off in style -
Sergio Aguero scored two goals on his last home overall look for Manchester City within their 5-0 romp against Everton after approaching on as a good second-half substitute.
Pep Guardiola's aspect, who finished 12 details ahead of Manchester United, celebrated with the Premier Little league trophy following the match.
The club also paid tribute to Aguero, whose 184 Premier League goals are the most by any player for a single club.
"When I came here the first title for me personally was the most important, for the golf club and for me personally, then Man City began to win extra titles so I'm thus happy because it isn't easy to be a decade at one club, for me personally it's an honour," he told Sky Sports.
