In a late surge towards European qualification, Chelsea has climbed to sixth place in the Premier League with one game remaining, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Cole Palmer scored the opener with his 22nd league goal of the season in the 34th minute, followed by Christopher Nkunku’s 64th-minute strike, extending Chelsea’s lead against Brighton.
Despite Reece James’ red card for kicking Brighton’s Joao Pedro, Chelsea held on for a 2-1 victory, securing their fourth consecutive league win for the first time since October 2022.
With Newcastle’s 3-2 loss against Manchester United, Chelsea surpassed them in the league standings.
To secure a place in next season’s Europa League, Chelsea needs to avoid defeat against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday or hope that seventh-placed Newcastle fails to win at Brentford.
Additionally, Chelsea could potentially finish fifth if they defeat Bournemouth and Tottenham lose at Sheffield United.
Mauricio Pochettino, who has faced criticism throughout the season, praised Chelsea’s hierarchy for sticking with their plan amid calls for his dismissal. He expressed satisfaction with the club’s progress towards European qualification.
The Argentine manager’s earlier hints of a possible departure at the end of the season have been overshadowed by Chelsea’s recent success on the field.
