Chelsea's Cole Palmer Photo: Action Plus/Photosport
Chelsea moved a step closer to Champions League qualification on Sunday by beating under-strength champions Liverpool 3-1 with a first-half strike from Enzo Fernandez, a ricocheted own-goal by Jarell Quansah and a Cole Palmer penalty.
Liverpool came to London, fresh from securing the title against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but there was a demob-happy air about them and, despite a party atmosphere amongst the travelling support, they lacked their usual cutting edge.
Arne Slot made six changes to the starting line-up that faced Spurs.
The result kept Chelsea fifth in the table, separated from fourth-placed Newcastle United only by goals scored.
The top five in the Premier League qualify for the Champions League and Chelsea face Newcastle away next weekend.
Newcastle United escaped the Amex Stadium with a point after Alexander Isak scored a last-gasp penalty in a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion which keeps them fourth. Brighton are tenth.
Brentford edged a young and much-changed Manchester United side 4-3 to give their hopes of qualifying for European competition for the first time a shot in the arm.
A double from Kevin Schade guided Brentford up to ninth with 52 points, with a potential Conference League spot within touching distance with three games left, while United remain in 15th place with 39 points.
London rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur's disappointing form continued as they played out a 1-1 draw that kept both stuck just above the relegation places.
The draw left Tottenham in 16th spot and facing their worst finish since 1977.
They are a single point above the 17th-placed Hammers whose winless run in the league was extended to eight games.
-Reuters
