Chelsea seized control of their destiny in the Premier League top-four battle as they avenged their FA Cup final defeat by Leicester City to beat them 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea celebrate their second goal against Leicester City. Photo: AFP
Roared on by 8,000 fans Thomas Tuchel's side dominated and were rewarded after the break with Antonio Rudiger bundling in their opener before Jorginho rolled home a penalty.
Timo Werner twice had goals ruled out before the break while Leicester, who looked flat after the FA Cup celebrations, offered little threat until Kelechi Iheanacho gave the visitors a lifeline with a cool finish in the 74th minute.
It was a nervy climax and Ayoze Perez wasted a glorious late chance to equalise but Chelsea clung on for a priceless win that moved them into third place on 67 points with one game remaining, meaning a win at Aston Villa on Sunday (Monday NZT) will guarantee them Champions League football next season.
For Leicester there is now the looming possibility that they will let a Champions League berth slip through their fingers for the second season in succession.
They could have ensured a top-four finish had they won at Stamford Bridge but will now drop to fifth, on goal difference, if Liverpool win at Burnley tomorrow.
Brighton stun champions
Brighton & Hove Albion scored three times in the second half to fight back from two goals down and beat Manchester City 3-2 at home in a thrilling Premier League encounter in which the champions lost Joao Cancelo to an early red card.
Brighton celebrate scoring what was ultimately the match-winning goal against Manchester City. Photo: AFP
Ilkay Gundogan struck in the second minute, heading home a superb cross from Riyad Mahrez to briefly silence just under 8,000 Brighton fans who had been allowed to return to the stands following over a year away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cancelo saw red in the 10th minute for a clumsy challenge on Danny Welbeck, but City struck again three minutes into the second half as Phil Foden won the ball inside his own half and out-sprinted the Brighton defence before slotting home his 15th goal of the season in all competitions.
Brighton's amazing comeback began almost immediately, with substitute Leandro Trossard dribbling across the box and drilling the ball in at the far post as the Seagulls began to make the most of their numerical advantage.
Adam Webster drew them level in the 72nd minute with a towering header before Dan Burn notched the winner four minutes later, scooping the ball into the net after his initial effort was blocked.
Brighton survived a late VAR check following Adam Lallana's challenge in the box on Gabriel Jesus and a late City onslaught to secure a win that lifts Graham Potter's side to 15th spot in the table on 41 points.
Fans see Man U held by Fulham
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 home draw by relegated Fulham in their penultimate Premier League match of the season after visiting defender Joe Bryan cancelled out a stunning Edinson Cavani opener.
Edinson Cavani celebrates scoring the opening goal against Fulham. Photo: AFP
Cavani netted with a sublime lob from 40 metres in the 15th minute to delight 10,000 home fans at Old Trafford who returned to the stadium for the first time in 14 months as the British government eased COVID-19 lockdown measures.
But United wasted a string of chances to add to their tally and were punished in the 76th minute as Bryan got on the end of Bobby De Cordova-Reid's cross and headed it past goalkeeper David De Gea at the far post.
The result left United second on 71 points from 37 games ahead of their final league match of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, having stretched their winless run to three games.
Fulham, who are at home to Newcastle United in their final match, stayed 18th on 28 points as they picked up only their second point in the last nine league games.
Leeds United secure top 10 finish
Leeds United's Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts scored late on to spoil the party for Southampton fans as the visitors claimed a 2-0 victory in the Premier League match played in front of 8,000 supporters.
Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring the opening goal against Southampton. Photo: AFP
The Saints fans marched back into St Mary's Stadium full of enthusiasm after relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, creating an atmosphere more akin to the opening day of the season rather than the last home game of the campaign for their side.
But after a poor first half from Leeds, Bamford broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he beat the offside trap from Rodrigo's pass and steered the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
Leeds scored their second in added time as their quick break caught Southampton without numbers in defence and Roberts scored his first goal of the season.
Leeds climb to eighth place on 56 points from 37 games and have ensured a top-half finish on their return to the Premier League, while Southampton stay in 14th with 43 points.
- Reuters
