Chelsea’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League was confirmed on Sunday as they completed a disappointing Premier League campaign by collapsing to a dismal 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
In what is widely expected to be Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte’s final league game in charge, Ayoze Perez scored twice after Dwight Gayle’s opener, and the below-par Blues had to settle for finishing fifth.
That condemns them to a place in the less prestigious Europa League next season.
Victory at St James’ Park allied to a final-day defeat for Liverpool would have seen Chelsea snatch fourth. While they failed in their task, it was rendered academic as Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League finalists ran out comfortable winners against Brighton.
Conte’s side still have the incentive of silverware to play for when they face Manchester United in the FA Cup final next Saturday. But, they go into that game with a continuing question mark over their Italian coach.
This follows their failure to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, their points tally 23 less than in their title-winning season 12 months ago.
This could also have been a final game in charge for Newcastle manager, Rafa Benitez, with the Spaniard’s future in doubt pending key talks with the club’s owner, Mike Ashley, in the next week.
If this was to be farewell for the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid head coach, his players gave him a rousing send-off, as Perez struck twice after the break to add to Gayle’s first-half opener to confirm an impressive 10th-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.
Chelsea, who made eight changes from the side held 1-1 at Stamford Bridge by lowly Huddersfield Town in midweek, looked ill-at-ease from the first whistle.
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