United States
United KingdomWednesday night saw a crucial night of Premier League action, with a number of games producing big results for teams at the bottom and top of the table. Here is what happened in those crucial Premier League clashes:
Terriers get an unlikely point at Chelsea
For the second consecutive game in the Premier League, Huddersfield picked up a point against all odds, as the Terriers drew 1-1 at Champions League-chasing Chelsea. The result had big implications at both ends of the table. The win means that Huddersfield secured their Premier League status for another season.
It also means that Chelsea are now outsiders to claim a top-four spot, as Antonio Conte’s side need fourth-place Liverpool to suffer defeat to have any hope of securing Champions League football for next season.
The home side dominated the first half and missed a host of chances before the visitors took the lead on 50 minutes with a rare attack. Laurent Depoitre attempted to get on the end of an Aaron Mooy ball onto to bump into Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero. However, the ball fell for the big Belgian striker to shot into an empty net.
The Blues were back on level terms just after the hour mark in rather comical fashion. Zanka attempted to clear his lines onto to hit Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso in the face. The ball rebounded off the Spaniard past the helpless Jonas Lossl in the visitor’s goal. The home side searched for an equaliser, but a combination of top goalkeeping from Lossl and dogged defending ensure the Yorkshire side picked up the point they needed to survive the drop.
Tottenham book Champions League spot
After an unconvincing run of form, Tottenham finally confirmed a Champions League spot for next season with a 1-0 win over Newcastle at Wembley. The north London side now know a win on the last day of the season at Wembley against Leicester will mean they avoid the Champions League qualifying rounds.
Both teams had chances in the first half, but the breakthrough did not come until the 50th minute. Harry Kane received the ball from Heung-Min Son before curling a superb into the far corner of the net from just inside the Newcastle area.
The visitors had chances to equalise after that opener, with Ayoze Perez, Kenedy and Jacob Murphy all missing the target with efforts. The visitors also saw two penalty appeals waved away by referee Neil Swarbrick, as Matt Ritchie fell under the challenge of Hugo Lloris and Perez also went down in the area. Spurs substitute Danny Rose should have made it two in stoppage-time from a pinpoint Erik Lamela pass, but could only fire his effort straight at Newcastle ‘keeper Martin Dubravka.
The defeat means that the highest Newcastle can finish in the league table is their current position of tenth-place. This was the Magpies fourth straight league defeat. However, the north east side will be happy that they achieved their main aim of surviving the drop.
Other Premier League results:
Manchester 3-1 Brighton
Leicester 3-1 Arsenal
Can Huddersfield now become an established Premier League club?
