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Wafric News - May 5, 2025


Chelsea kept their Champions League hopes alive on Sunday with a crucial 3-1 win over newly-crowned champions Liverpool, while Manchester United’s league woes deepened with a 4-3 defeat at Brentford in a dramatic day of Premier League action.

At a buzzing Stamford Bridge, Enzo Fernandez set the tone early with a powerful finish to give the Blues the lead. A second-half own goal by Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah and a stoppage-time penalty from Cole Palmer sealed the win, despite a late strike from Virgil van Dijk.

The victory sees Chelsea climb to fifth, level on points with Newcastle, who earlier drew 1-1 away at Brighton. With three games left, and third-placed Manchester City just one point ahead, the race for Champions League qualification is set to go down to the wire.

“These are the kind of performances we need at this point in the season,” said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. “We’re fighting for the top and we want to build on this for something even greater in the future.”

Liverpool, who had already sealed their record-equalling 20th English top-flight title with a 5-1 rout of Spurs last weekend, appeared flat and short of motivation, suffering only their third league loss of the season. Their only other defeats came at the hands of Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

Meanwhile, over in west London, Manchester United endured yet another disappointing afternoon, going six Premier League games without a win after a 4-3 collapse at Brentford.

Mason Mount gave United a brief lead with a neat finish in the 14th minute, but it quickly fell apart. A Luke Shaw own goal brought Brentford level, before Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa added to United’s misery with clinical finishes.

Though Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo struck late to give the scoreline a measure of respect, the damage had already been done. United have now lost half of their 24 league games under Ruben Amorim, with just six wins.

“The players must realise this cannot go on,” said an exasperated Amorim. “We know what’s at stake and this kind of performance isn’t acceptable.”

United’s focus now shifts to salvaging their season through the Europa League, where they host Athletic Bilbao on Thursday holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg.

Elsewhere, Tottenham’s turbulent season continues. Ange Postecoglou’s side were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham, making it just one win in their last nine league games. Wilson Odobert gave Spurs the lead early, but Jarrod Bowen equalised for the hosts before halftime.

Tottenham sit a disappointing 16th, facing their worst league finish in nearly 50 years. Despite a 3-1 first-leg lead over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals, Postecoglou’s future remains uncertain, with reports suggesting he could be dismissed even if they lift the trophy.

Over on the south coast, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh scored against his former club Newcastle to give the Seagulls a 28th-minute lead. But Alexander Isak’s late penalty—his 23rd league goal of the season—rescued a point for the Magpies and kept their top-four hopes intact.

With just weeks to go, the Premier League’s final stretch promises high drama, tight margins, and potentially big shake-ups among England’s elite clubs.


By WafricNews Sports Desk.

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