Champions League spots decided at the death as Chelsea and Newcastle join Europe’s elite

The 2024/25 Premier League season concluded with high drama, as the final day determined which clubs would represent England in European competition next season. With Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League berths at stake, the closing weekend delivered fierce battles both on the pitch and in the VAR room.

Champions League: Five English clubs earn their place

Liverpool, crowned champions with games to spare, and second-placed Arsenal had already secured their Champions League tickets. The remaining spots, however, were decided in the final round of fixtures.

Manchester City secured third place with a 2-0 win over Fulham, in a match that marked Kevin De Bruyne’s farewell. Goals from İlkay Gündoğan and Erling Haaland ensured City ended a difficult season on a high.

Chelsea travelled to Nottingham and emerged 1-0 winners thanks to a second-half goal from Levi Colwill — his fifth career goal — lifting the Blues to fourth and into the Champions League places.

Newcastle’s fate was less straightforward. Eddie Howe’s side lost 1-0 at home to Everton and slipped out of the top five. But a 2-0 win for Manchester United over a ten-man Aston Villa at Old Trafford saw Newcastle leapfrog back into fifth place, clinching the final Champions League berth.

Tottenham, despite not finishing in the top six, claimed a spot in the Champions League by winning the UEFA Europa League.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace qualify for the Europa League

Aston Villa spent much of the season in Champions League contention, but a decisive loss to Manchester United dropped them to sixth. As a result, Unai Emery’s side will compete in the Europa League. The match was not without controversy: Morgan Rogers had a goal disallowed after winning the ball from Altay Bayındır and scoring into an empty net. Referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle early for a foul, preventing VAR intervention.

Crystal Palace earned a place in the Europa League by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Despite not finishing seventh, their cup triumph secured a return to European competition after a long absence.

Nottingham Forest end 29-year European exile

Nottingham Forest missed out on a Champions League miracle after losing 1-0 to Chelsea, but still held on to seventh place. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League — their first European appearance since 1996.

English clubs in Europe (2025/26 season)

Champions League: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham (Europa League winners)

Europa League: Aston Villa, Crystal Palace (FA Cup winners)

Conference League: Nottingham Forest