PostedMay 19, 2022, 11:34 p.m.
The point taken by the Blues once morest Leicester puts them in an almost secure third place. Everton, he fled.
Marcos Alonso’s (left) goal, congratulated by Christian Pulisic, is a big winner for Chelsea.
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Held in check by Leicester (1-1), Thursday, in a late match of the 27th day of the Premier League, Chelsea are almost guaranteed to finish 3rd this season, while Everton have come back 2 goals behind to ensure their maintenance in beating Crystal Palace (3-2).
Already assured of a ticket to the Champions League, since Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle (2-0) on Monday, Thomas Tuchel’s men are 3 points ahead of Tottenham, 4th, but above all a goal difference largely more favorable (+42 once morest +24).
Suffice to say that even if the 19th and already relegated Watford came to win Sunday at Stamford Bridge, it is practically unthinkable that the Spurs, at the 20th, Norwich, go up this gap.
Alonso scores for a point
Little in verve lately, Chelsea were surprised by a strike at the entrance to the surface of James Maddison (0-1, 6th). But a nice volley from Marcos Alonso, on a cross from Reece James, allowed Chelsea to come back to score before the break (1-1, 34th).
The suspense of Thursday’s matches mainly concerned the bottom of the standings, with a fight for maintenance which pits Everton, Leeds and Burnley once morest each other.
The Toffees, 16th with 36 points, two more than Burnley, who were 18th and first relegated with 34, knew that a victory ensured their maintenance.
Against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace, they completely missed their first period, conceding goals from Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta (0-1, 21st) and Jordan Ayew (0-2, 39th).
What words from Lampard?
We may know one day what Frank Lampard said to his men at the break, but in the second half they showed a completely different face.
Back in the starting lineup following several weeks of absence, it was defender Michael Keane who sounded the revolt by converting a deflection from the head of Mason Holgate (1-2, 54th).
With a quarter of an hour remaining, a strike from Dele Alli, who entered at the break, was saved by Jack Butland, but Richarlison, well placed, took over to equalize. And ten minutes later, it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin, long injured this season, who scored the goal of maintaining the head, following a free kick (3-2, 85th).
With 39 points, Everton can no longer be joined by their two rivals, leaving Burnley and Leeds to engage in a dramatic distance duel on Sunday.
Thanks to Pope
Going to take a point at Aston Villa (1-1), Burnley came out of the red zone on goal difference (-18 once morest -38) in front of the Peacocks.
They opened the scoring on a penalty conceded by Emiliano Buendia for a foul on Maxwel Cornet and converted by Ashley Barnes just before the break. But the Argentinian made up for it by equalizing following the break (1-1, 48th).
The Claret and Blue can thank their goalkeeper Nick Pope, brilliant on a strike from John McGinn (31st) or a header from Bertrand Traoré (80th), but they can also tear their hair out thinking of the double chance missed by Connor Roberts , stopped by Emiliano Martinez and Wout Weghorst, who saw his recovery 6 meters from goal saved on his line by Tyrone Mings (85th).
Burnley will host Newcastle for the final day, while Leeds travel to Brentford, a side who are currently in form.
(AFP)