To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Last Night's Results Mean There Could Still Be A Champions League Play-Off

Last Night's Results Mean There Could Still Be A Champions League Play-Off

Let's be honest we're all hoping this will happen.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Thank god for Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean hasn't just saved Arsenal's season, to some degree, but also saved the last day of the Premier League from being totally meaningless and his goals mean there could still be a Champions League play-off.

It's not good news for Sky Sports or quite frankly any of us but the last day of the Premier League season on Sunday is almost irrelevant with the Premier League title and relegation places all decided.

Chelsea have strolled to the league. Image: PA

Chelsea wrapped up the title just five days ago, even though we were pretty sure that they were going to win the league from January onwards, and Hull's loss at the weekend condemned them to relegation just one season after their return to the top tier.

With the two biggest issues sorted already last night's games nearly put us in the position that nothing was up for grabs. Had Arsenal lost last night then even the top four places would have been sorted, leaving the battle for third the only issue to resolve- yawn!


Fortunately Alexis Sanchez popped up with the goods against Sunderland, scoring twice, and extended the race for those top four spots for one final match. Or is it one final match?

Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez

Sanchez' brace means we've still got something to play for on Sunday. Image: PA

Because of the way the table is poised there could yet be a play-off for the final Champions League spot or even for the third spot and automatic qualification.

Should Arsenal and Everton draw 1-1 and Liverpool lose 2-0 to Middlesbrough then the two sides would have to play-off. Equally Arsenal winning 1-0 against Everton and Manchester City losing 4-0 to Watford would lead to Arsenal and City going at it for fourth.

If City grab a 3-3 draw with Watford and Liverpool beat Boro 3-0 then the two north west clubs would be competing in a one off play-off for the third place spot in the league.

Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp

Klopp wouldn't exactly be over the moon at the thought of a play-off for the Champions Leaguer

That's because all those permutations, and different derivatives of them, would lead the teams in question to be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.

The Premier League have already held discussions about the games taking place at Villa Park although, according to The Times, it's not the most prepared they've ever been for a play-off match. In the 1995/96 season they reportedly had tickets printed for a title decided between Newcastle United and Manchester United before the Magpies blew it!

We'd love to see a play-off at the end of this season, although it seems rather unlikely!

Featured Image Credit: PA Images