Arsenal are Premier League champions ahead of the last matchday next Sunday after their nearest rival Manchester City drew 1 – 1 away at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth.
Finally: Arsenal’s 22-year wait is over
At Stamford Bridge, Tottenham could decide the relegation battle after West Ham lost their penultimate game of the season. – With one game left, Tottenham have 38 points and West Ham, third last and below the line have 36 points.
Tottenham narrowly lost 1-2 away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s embarrassing”
James Maddison makes no secret of the seriousness. After the game, the Tottenham star admits that the situation is embarrassing.
“We have to give everything for the club, for the brand and for the fans. It’s a bit embarrassing that we’re in this situation,” Maddison said.
“We’re going to need our fans, who were unbelievable tonight. I think we have the best away team in the league.
How it went wrong
Enzo Fernandez turned a fantastic long-range shot into the bottom corner after 18 minutes. Andrey Santos made it 2-0 from six yards after 67 minutes. Richarlison gave Spurs a glimmer of hope with his equaliser 16 minutes before the end, but the equaliser never came. Maddison’s free-kick in injury time went over the crossbar – and thus everything is decided on the last day.
This must happen for Spurs to survive
Tottenham must achieve one of two things on Sunday:
- Avoid defeat against Everton at home, or
- Hope Leeds United beat West Ham.
If Spurs don’t beat Everton, and West Ham pick up three points against Leeds, goal difference could be decisive for who gets knocked out of the Premier League.
Read: Ruben Amorim close to shocking comeback – as a replacement for another ex-Manchester United manager
Maddison on the injury nightmare
Maddison has been out for a long time with injury, and this was only his second game of the season. He came in from the bench when the team was already 0-2 down.
“It’s terrible timing. You will get on the pitch with 1-0 and influence the match. It’s much more difficult with 2-0. It was like a dagger when I came in,” he says.
“I’ve been out for a long time, so I’m not going to be at my floating best. I’ve had a serious injury, and you have to respect the injury a bit. I’ll do what I can on Sunday.
“It’s my job, it’s what I get paid for. I haven’t played this season, but once I do, I have to deliver. Anyone who has worked in football or had this injury knows that it is not easy to come back. It would be catastrophic for my career if something were to happen,” Maddison says honestly.
De Zerbi: “We played a very good game – we lost”
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi was frustrated, but defiant after the game. He refuses to accept that the performance deserved the result.
“We created a great chance to score with Tel. It was a huge save from Sanchez. Then we conceded a great goal because Fernandez – a great player – could do something better. We stayed in the game until the second goal, but there we lost a stupid ball,” De Zerbi said.
“I think we played a very good game. We lost.
“Now is not the time to think too much about this. We have to prepare for the next game. We play in our stadium, with our fans, with our qualities, character, pride and courage. I’m positive, because today we played a good game.
This is how it looks before the final round
West Ham face Leeds on the last day. If Tottenham don’t win against Everton, and West Ham take all three points, it could be the goal difference that sends Spurs down. Anything is possible. Everything is at stake. On Sunday, we will get the answer.
