Three late Premier League matches were played this Thursday evening before the 38th and final day, which will take place in the form of a multiplex this Sunday at 5 p.m. We start this tour of England with the lair of Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea who received Leicester (27th day). Two points behind fourth Tottenham, Chelsea had to take at least one point to secure the last step of the podium at the end of the season. For that, it was necessary to get rid of the Foxes, who nevertheless opened the scoring very early in the match thanks to the superb goal of James Maddison (0-1, 7th).
The defenders, involved in 30% of Chelsea’s goals this season, stood out once again: Reece James crossed at the far post for Marcos Alonso, scorer with a fine volley (1-1, 34th). In the second half, the Blues clearly dominated the debates but chained the opportunities missed by the attackers, whether Romelu Lukaku (62nd) then Christian Pulisic (63rd) in stride, or deflected by Kasper Schmeichel, author of 5 saves in 90 minutes. With this draw point, Chelsea is guaranteed to finish in third place, benefiting from a goal difference far superior to that of Spurs (+42 against +24). Leicester gains a place and moves up to 9th in the standings.
Remontada from Everton, Burnley revived
In the other two games of the evening, two teams still struggling to maintain also played late deadlines: Everton (16th) hosted Crystal Palace while Burnley (18th) moved on the lawn of Aston Villa. The Toffees started their match very badly against the Eagles, scoring twice in the first period thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta (0-1, 21st) and Jordan Ayew (0-2, 36th). Returning from the locker room, Michael Keane reduced the mark before the hour mark (1-2, 54th). Richarlison finally put the two teams tied in the last quarter of an hour (2-2, 76th).
The supporters even invaded the lawn of Goodison Park for a few minutes after the 3rd goal signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin (3-2, 85th). A victory that allows Frank Lampard’s players to stay in the Premier League after a more than complicated season. For their part, the Clarets, on the green rectangle of Villa Park, surprised the Villans (without Coutinho or Ings, on the bench) thanks to the penalty converted by Ashley Barnes just before the break (0-1, 45th). Nevertheless, the Birmingham club reset the counters to zero just after the break through Emiliano Buendia (1-1, 48th). The score did not change, despite the expulsion of Matthew Lowton in added time (1-1). Burnley remains one point from the area and will play its maintenance against Newcastle, Villa will end the season in the second half of the table.
The full results of the evening
J18 – Aston Villa 1-1 Burnley: Buendia (48th) / Barnes (45th, sp)
J27 – Chelsea 1-1 Leicester: Alonso (34th) / Maddison (7th)
J33 – Everton 3-2 Crystal Palace: Keane (54th), Richarlison (76th), Calvert-Lewin (85th) / Mateta (21st), Ayew (36th)