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:
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea line-ups
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels: Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Sangare, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Wood, Elanga
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Neto
Why a unique Premier League final day will be more interesting than it might appear
If the 2024-25 season won’t exactly stand out in history, it will finish with one genuinely unique element.
There have never been so many clubs going for Champions League qualification on the final day. It has admittedly become a bit more than “the battle for fifth”, as it has occasionally been derided.
Instead, five clubs are going for three places, with two of them – Nottingham Forest and Chelsea – directly facing off.
The elements are there for an exciting last day, if not quite an epic one.
Why a unique Premier League final day will be more interesting than it might appear
Can Forest beat Chelsea?
Chelsea have lost their final league match in just two of their last 13 campaigns (eight wins, three draws).
However, they are winless in the last three seasons they have finished away from home (one draw, two defeats).
Back-to-back for Forest
Nottingham Forest are vying to win consecutive top-flight matches for just the second time since a six-game winning streak ended on 6 January.
Even if they lose today, their total of 65 points more than doubles their figure from 2023-24, when they finished with 32 points after four were deducted for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.
Nottingham Forest ban Gary Neville from final game as Sky Sports forced to change plans
Sky Sports have been forced to change their plans for coverage on the final day of the Premier League after Nottingham Forest took the extraordinary step of banning Gary Neville from the City Ground.
Neville, Sky’s lead co-commentator, had been due to provide commentary on the crucial clash between the hosts and Chelsea with both sides looking to book their place in next season’s Champions League.
Nottingham Forest ban Neville from final game as Sky Sports forced to revamp plans
Premier League top five permutations
7th - Nottingham Forest
Points: 65
Goal difference: +13
Final fixture: Chelsea (H)
What they need: To beat Chelsea, no other result will be good enough unless Manchester United beat Aston Villa and Newcastle lose by nine to Everton - the latter of which will surely not happen.
If Forest win, they would still need one other result to go their way, so Newcastle failing to beat Everton, or Aston Villa failing to beat Manchester United.
Premier League top five permutations
6th - Aston Villa
Points: 66
Goal difference: +9
Final fixture: Manchester United (A)
What they need: Unai Emery’s side are the in-form team in the division and go to a Manchester United side who will be playing in the Europa League final on Wednesday night. Villa’s are not in their hands, however, with Manchester City going above them after beating Bournemouth in midweek.
Villa will need to win and hope one of Newcastle, Manchester City or Chelsea fail to pick up three points on the final day.
Premier League top five permutations
5th - Chelsea
Points: 66
Goal difference: +20
Final fixture: Nottingham Forest (A)
What they need: Chelsea’s fate is also in their hands as they travel to a top-five contender at the City Ground. A win would be enough for Enzo Maresca’s side to finish in the top five while eliminating Forest.
A draw would leave Chelsea open to being knocked out of the top-five by Aston Villa. But a draw would be enough to qualify if Aston Villa fail to win and Newcastle lose.
If Chelsea lose, Nottingham Forest would go ahead of them and Chelsea would need the following: Aston Villa to lose at Manchester United, plus Newcastle lose at home to Everton, and lose by three goals more.
Premier League top five permutations
4th - Newcastle United
Points: 66
Goal difference: +22
Final fixture: Everton (H)
What they need: Defeat to Arsenal means there will be some nerves when Newcastle host Everton at St James’ Park - but they know a win will book a return to the Champions League for the second time in three years.
If Newcastle draw or lose, they could be overtaken by Aston Villa and one of Chelsea or Nottingham Forest, but three points will be enough given their goal difference is far superior to Villa’s.
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