KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest missed out on next season’s Champions League after the English Premier League reached a dramatic last-matchday climax with Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle progressing behind Liverpool and Arsenal.

Early confirmation of relegation for Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton had left the day’s entire focus resting on the contest for the European places. Nottingham Forest’s clash with Chelsea proved crucial.

Forest needed to win so manager Nuno Espirito Santo abandoned his usual cautious strategy and sent out his team with orders to chase victory. They had the better of the first half but Chelsea broke the deadlock at the start of the second half. Confusion in the Forest defence allowed Pedro Neto to provide Levi Colwill with only his third goal for the club.

Chelsea deserved what was only a second win in their last 10 away games which probably keeps manager Enzo Maresca in his job for another season.

Liverpool wrapped up their record-equalling 20th title-winning season among celebratory red smoke with a 1-1 draw at home Crystal Palace. Jurgen Klopp was at Anfield to see each team granting the other a guard of honour before kickoff. Liverpool, who ended with 10 men after a red card for Ryan Gravenberch, were rescued by a late goal from Mo Salah.

Second-placed Arsenal won 2-1 at Southampton while City secured third spot with a 2-1 win at Fulham after an early goal from Ilkay Gundogan on what could be his last league appearance for the outgoing champions.

Chelsea’s win at Forest placed them fourth, leaving Newcastle and Villa to sort out fifth slot. Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to Everton but edged Villa thanks to a superior goal difference.

Villa had needed to win away to Manchester United in front of an Old Trafford crowd depressed by the Europa League Final in midweek. However their hopes were punctured by a first-half red card for goalkeeper Emi Martinez for blocking Rasmus Hojlund and then late goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen. Manager Unai Emery was furious at having a goal disallowed just before United’s first goal.

Emery’s Villa thus slipped from the Champions League this past season to Europa League next term alongside Palace with Conference football for Forest.

Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton hit back from a goal down to win 4-1 at Tottenham with two goals from Jack Hinshelwood. Spurs’ 22nd Premier defeat, after their Europa League success, meant finishing just above the relegation zone despite reaching the Champions League and possible departure for manager Ange Postecoglou.

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