Chelsea edged past Brighton in their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, as hope for Europa League qualification remains alive.
The victory, their third straight at home with a clean sheet, saw them score 13 goals in the process and move level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle United.The Blues have bounced back strongly from their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, securing crucial derby wins over Tottenham and West Ham.
The result leaves Chelsea well in the hunt for a European spot, with manager Mauricio Pochettino aiming to end his first season on a high note.The win over West Ham saw Chelsea leapfrog Manchester United in the table, and they now trail Newcastle by just goal difference.
The Magpies have been in impressive form, winning four of their last five matches and scoring four or more goals in three of those games.With the battle for European qualification heating up, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United are all vying for one Europa League spot.
The top four teams (Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and the winner of the battle between Aston Villa and Tottenham) will qualify for the Champions League.If Chelsea can secure a top-six finish, it would be a significant achievement for Pochettino’s young squad, which has been hampered by injuries and inconsistency throughout the season.
The manager is hopeful that a strong finish to the campaign can provide a platform for improvement next season.Chelsea will look to take another step towards European qualification when they face Brighton on Wednesday. The Blues will be boosted by the return to training of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and defender Ben Chilwell, although their availability for the Brighton game remains uncertain.
The Blues, who sit 6th on the table , must maintain their winning streak against Bournemouth in the last games of the season to guarantee a spot in Europa League qualification.
