A combination of the Blues’ big home victory over Watford on Sunday afternoon and the failure of both Manchester United and Arsenal to win their Sunday fixtures means Maurizio Sarri’s men are guaranteed to finish in the top four of the Premier League and therefore play in the Champions League next season.



While we were beating the Hornets at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, David Luiz and Gonzalo Higuain, Manchester United were drawing 1-1 at already relegated Huddersfield Town to rule themselves out of a place in the first four places. Instead the Red Devils will have to settle for Europa League football in 2019/20.



In Sunday afternoon’s later game, Arsenal were in a winning position against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having scored an early penalty, but they conceded from the spot themselves in the second half and that game also ended 1-1.

So with Chelsea on 71 points and Arsenal on 67 with Man United one point further back, those sides can no longer overtake us.

