Liverpool qualify for Champions League at the expense of Chelsea

Newcastle hosted Chelsea at St James’ Park with the away team looking for a win in hope of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Liverpool sat in 4th place with a 2-point advantage over Chelsea in 5th. A result at St James’ Park would not be enough so they hoped that Liverpool would lose against Brighton. What a complex situation that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic is not comfortable with. The match kicked off and there was not much a difference between the two teams until Thibaut Courtois saved a rocket of a shot from Jonjo Shelvey who tried his luck 30 yards out. On the 22nd minute, Dwight Gayle scored the opener of the match from a rebound after Murphy’s effort was punched into his path by the Chelsea goalkeeper. That was the only goal of the first half in a must-win match for Chelsea who had their UEFA Champions League qualification on the line. The London side came close to scoring in the 52nd minute when Olivier Giroud connected to Ross Barkley’s cross before flicking it towards goal. The ball looked destined for goal and would have been a contender for one of the best goals of the EPL this season but Dubvraka was having none of that as he produced a fingertip save to deny the French striker. Ayoze Perez diverted in Shelvey’s shot on the 58th minute to make it 2-0 to Newcastle. The Spanish striker scored the third and final goal of the match from a pass by Florian Lejeune. This victory means that Chelsea will join Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League tournament next season.

In other news, Mo Salah broke the record of goals scored in 38-matches league. He converted his 32nd English Premier League goal in Liverpool’s 4-0 win against Brighton which means that he has scored more than EPL Legends like Shearer, Ronaldo, Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy etc. The African player has had an outstanding season having led his team to the UEFA Champions League final which will be played against Real Madrid on the 26th of May. His goal also managed to seal Liverpool’s participation in the UEFA Champions League for next season. The player walks home with the English Premier League Golden Boot. What an awesome season he has had.

Giroud and Morata goals send Chelsea to the final of the FA Cup

Antonio Conte’s men are on a mission to salvage their season after failing to defend the English Premier League title which they won comfortably last season. They were looking to get one over the Saints and book a place in the final with Manchester United. Southampton also went into the game with an added motivation to defeat Chelsea who defeated them 2-3 at home on the 14th of April. The wounds were still fresh after letting a 2-0 advantage turn into a loss.

Willian set him himself up and fired a shot on the crossbar while Hazard had a couple of chances blocked before Olivier Giroud, who was preferred to Morata in the lineup, missed a couple of volleys in the first half. However, this did not stop him from turning up with a fantastic goal just a minute into the second half. Those that know Giroud from his days at Arsenal are aware of the fact that the forward might not be a 30 goal-a-season striker but he has a neck for memorable goals. Giroud received a pass from Eden Hazard before going for a Messi-like dribble as he wiggled past four defenders and beat the goalkeeper before finishing with his weak foot into the net. Surprised? Well, you shouldn’t. There is a reason why the striker is always called up to the French national team even when he is not in the best of form because he delivers when everyone least expects him to.

Southampton created a couple of chances themselves, and Shane Long found himself in acres of space with only the goalkeeper to beat but could not finish past the keeper. He tried to round the keeper who had read his thoughts and ended up over kicking the ball out for a goal kick. Southampton we denied a penalty on the 67th minute when Austin headed the ball onto Giroud’s hand, but the referee waved play on. Redmond had a rocket shot from outside the box miraculously saved by Caballero. Morata came from the bench to score the second of the night from an Azpilicueta cross. That was it, and Southampton were knocked out of the semifinals. Chelsea will then be facing Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in the final of the FA Cup. Who do you think will win?