Nottingham Forest v Chelsea LIVE: Premier League final day results and reaction after Levi Colwill strikes
Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle secured places in the Champions League on a day devoid of drama
Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle United all secured places in the Champions League on a lacklustre final day in the Premier League that offered little drama.
Given the easiest task ahead of kick off Pep Guardiola’s City ensured they breezed into Europe’s top-flight after Ilkay Gundogan’s scissor kick sent them ahead against Fulham and Erling Haaland secured the points from the spot.
Things were slightly more tricky at the City Ground where Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0. It took until the second half for the breakthrough to come as Neco Williams failed to deal with an aerial ball into the box and set Pedro Neto free. He squared a pass to the back post and Levi Colwill netted the winning goal. Forest offered little threat with Chris Wood missing their best chances.
Newcastle, meanwhile, owe their Champions League spot to Aston Villa after losing at home to Everton. Villa needed to defeat Man Utd at Old Trafford to leapfrog the magpies but went down 2-0 and ended up sixth. Forest’s seventh place finish sends them into the Conference League.
Follow the latest updates from the Premier League’s final day in our live blog below:
Villa set to break club record?
It's 32 wins in all competitions for Aston Villa in the current campaign – their most in a season as a top-flight club.
Victory on Sunday would also set a club record tally of 69 points in a 38-game Premier League season.
However, they have won just once on the last 26 occasions their final league fixture of the season has come away from home, beating Chelsea 3-1 in 2002.
'No Garnacho for Manchester United'
“No Alejandro Garnacho in the Manchester United squad to fuel the suspicion his relationship with Ruben Amorim has broken down, after the winger was omitted from the starting 11 for the Europa League final, a decision which both he and his brother disagreed with.
“Admittedly, Leny Yoro, Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee are also out of the squad, but there are fewer reasons to suspect their days are numbered.
“Meanwhile, Villa have the bonus of Youri Tielemans returning to the bench.
“They have an awful record at Old Trafford, but will rarely get a better chance to win here.”
Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana left out of Man Utd squad as possible exits loom
Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana have been left out of the Manchester United matchday squad to face Aston Villa in their final fixture of the Premier League season.
The pair have both been linked with moves away from the club in recent weeks with manager Ruben Amorim set for a significant overhaul of his squad in his first summer at Old Trafford.
Onana, replaced in goal by Altay Bayindir with Tom Heaton brought on to the bench, has endured a mixed season, making a number of high-profile errors in the league and European campaigns.
Alejandro Garnacho and Andre Onana left out of Man Utd squad as possible exits loom
Will Man Utd defeat Villa?
This is only the third season in Manchester United's history in which they have failed to win back-to-back league matches, after 1893-94 and 1921-22.
United are winless in their past eight Premier League fixtures (D2, L6), losing the last three. They last suffered four defeats in a row in the same season in February 1979.
However, United have won their final Premier League match of the season 22 times – second only to Arsenal's 23 – and only lost on four of 32 such occasions.
How can Villa earn Champions League football?
Aston Villa will secure Champions League qualification if they win and either Manchester City lose or Newcastle or Chelsea fail to win. A Villa draw would be enough if Newcastle lose.
Unai Emery's side have earned an unrivalled 24 points since the beginning of March, winning eight of their nine Premier League matches during that period.
Everton to ruin the party
Everton could end the season with three successive league victories for the first time since 1989.
Only four sides have amassed more points than Everton's 28 since they won their first Premier League game under David Moyes this season on 19 January.
If they beat Newcastle today it will probably mean the Magpies miss out on the Champions League.
Newcastle's head-to-head with Everton
Newcastle are unbeaten in four top-flight home meetings with Everton, winning three and drawing one.
However, the Toffees have kept 18 Premier League clean sheets against the Magpies, only shutting out Liverpool (21) and West Ham (23) more often.
How can Newcastle qualify for the Champions League?
Newcastle have won six successive Premier League home games and are vying to win seven in a row for the first time since December 2023.
Victory would guarantee Champions League qualification for next season.
A point would also be enough if Aston Villa fail to beat Manchester United or Chelsea draw with Forest.
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