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5 hours ago
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Chelsea’s chances of securing UEFA Champions League football next season took a major hit following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle took an early lead in the first half through a goal from Sandro Tonali, but it was Nicolas Jackson’s red card in the 36th minute that turned the game on its head.
The incident meant that Chelsea had to play more than half the match with one man less, and it eventually proved to be the difference as Bruno Guimaraes scored with a deflected shot late in the second half.
The result left the Blues hanging on to fifth place in the Premier League table, ahead of Aston Villa only on goal difference.
And now, the jury is out on which teams will eventually finish in the top five of the Premier League and thereby secure their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has given his verdict on the matter while speaking to Sky Sports, saying, “Chelsea will beat Man United. It’s whether they can beat Nottingham Forest away. There will be a big atmosphere there.”
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“Maybe even if they can’t get Champions League football, I think Nottingham Forest, last game of the season, the supporters will be desperate to say almost like a big thank you for the season that they’ve had. They’ve got European football, great achievement. I actually think it’ll be Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who miss out and Aston Villa get in.”
Chelsea fans will hope that their team can prove Carragher wrong, but if they don’t, they will look back at that Nicolas Jackson red card as a season-defining moment.
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