Buoyant Bournemouth, sensational Sunderland: How the Premier League’s race for Europe unfolded | OneFootball

Six clubs entered the final day chasing Europe and a breathless afternoon ended with Liverpool safely in the Champions League, Bournemouth and Sunderland booking Europa League places, and Brighton clinching the Conference League. According to NY Times, permutations even included sixth turning into a Champions League berth if Aston Villa slipped to fifth.

At 16:23, Antoine Semenyo put Manchester City ahead against Villa, raising that sixth-place possibility. Two minutes later Trai Hume volleyed Sunderland in front against Chelsea. At 16:34, Morgan Gibbs-White struck for Nottingham Forest against Bournemouth and, at the same time, Patrick Dorgu headed Manchester United ahead at Brighton, with Bryan Mbeumo adding a second 11 minutes later.

Villa levelled at 17:08 through Ollie Watkins, shutting the door on a sixth Champions League spot, and Sunderland went 2-0 up at 17:09 when Malo Gusto deflected in after Brian Brobbey’s scuffed shot. Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 to United at 17:12.

Marcus Tavernier equalised for Bournemouth at 17:15. Cole Palmer quickly pulled one back for Chelsea at 17:17, before Wesley Fofana was sent off minutes later. Curtis Jones put Liverpool ahead at 17:18 from Mohamed Salah’s assist, Watkins restored Villa’s lead at 17:22, then Kevin Schade levelled for Brentford at 17:25.

Forest 1-1 Bournemouth left the Cherries sixth and, with Villa staying fourth, into the Europa League for their first European campaign under incoming head coach Marco Rose. Liverpool drew 1-1 with Brentford to seal the Champions League, the visitors finishing ninth. Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1 to claim seventh and the Europa League, with Chelsea 10th. Brighton lost 3-0 but still took the Conference League, their second European qualification after 2023-24.

Source: NY Times