On a thrilling season-ending Sunday, Liverpool won the Premier League title with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, while Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle guaranteed spots in the Champions League for the next season.
After winning the European championship in 1980, Nottingham Forest’s hopes of making their Champions League debut were dashed by Chelsea.
The fight for European spots was the main focus of attention because Liverpool’s record-tying 20th league title and Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton’s relegation had long ago been settled.
After winning the Europa League on Wednesday, Tottenham will join Liverpool and Arsenal, who had already guaranteed their spots in the Champions League by placing in the top two.
By defeating Fulham 2-0 to finish third, City made sure a poor season did not end in a terrible way by earning a spot in Europe’s elite tournament for the fifteenth straight season.
Pep Guardiola’s team took the lead thanks to a close-range overhead kick from Ilkay Gundogan, and the visitors won the match thanks to a penalty shot from Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola’s team took the lead thanks to a close-range overhead kick from Ilkay Gundogan, and the visitors won the match thanks to a penalty shot from Erling Haaland.
Newcastle’s 1-0 loss against Everton at home barely kept them from losing their spot in the top five.
On Tyneside, Carlos Alcaraz’s header gave the Toffees the win.
However, following Aston Villa’s contentious 2-0 loss to Manchester United, the Magpies finished fifth.
Goalie Emi Martinez’s dismissal just before halftime for taking down Rasmus Hojlund outside his area dashed Villa’s aspirations.
However, the visitors believed they had grabbed the lead at Old Trafford until Morgan Rogers’ attempt to kick the ball out of Altay Bayindir’s hands was disallowed.
Villa were furious at VAR’s decision not to reverse the call and were hit with a sucker punch moments later when Amad Diallo headed in Bruno Fernandes’ cross.
Christian Eriksen’s penalty sealed the win as United finished the campaign in 15th.
A place in the Europa League is Villa’s consolation for finishing sixth.
There was a mutual guard of honour at Anfield as Palace paid homage to Liverpool before the hosts repaid the favour to mark the Eagles’ FA Cup victory over City last weekend.
Liverpool’s title celebrations in 2020 took place in front of an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, meaning it was the first time in 35 years they could celebrate lifting the trophy in front of the Reds’ support.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his first return to Anfield since an emotional farewell 12 months ago.
Palace, though, spoilt the party when Ismaila Sarr slotted home the opening goal after just nine minutes.
Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the second half, but the 10 men still secured a point thanks to Mohamed Salah’s deflected leveller.
Tottenham suffered a hangover from their Europa League celebrations as Brighton came from behind to win 4-1 and secure eighth place.
