Liverpool missed the chance to all but secure Champions League action next season after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, while Manchester United were frustrated in a goalless stalemate at Sunderland on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Ryan Gravenberch’s sweet strike gave Liverpool the perfect start in the sixth minute at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Chelsea hit back when Enzo Fernandez’s 35th-minute free-kick evaded everyone to find the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
Boos at full-time reflected the mood around Anfield after another lacklustre performance from the defending champions.<\/p>\n
The result inched fourth-placed Liverpool closer to Champions League qualification, with a four-point lead over sixth-placed Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
Chelsea can no longer mathematically finish in the top five and remain in ninth.<\/p>\n
The Blues had lost six consecutive Premier League games to fall out of contention for a top-five place prior to the trip to Merseyside.<\/p>\n
But a more obdurate performance provided some encouragement for interim boss Calum McFarlane to take into next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.<\/p>\n
Manchester United are already assured of Champions League football following their win over Liverpool last weekend.<\/p>\n
Michael Carrick’s third-placed side have little left to play for in and it showed in a dour affair at the Stadium of Light. <\/p>\n
It was the first time United had failed to score in a league game since November.<\/p>\n
Red card drama<\/h3>\n
Bournemouth remain in contention for a stunning Champions League place after winning 1-0 at Fulham.<\/p>\n
Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie was sent off late in the first half after his booking for an ugly foul on Timothy Castagne was upgraded to a red card following a VAR check.<\/p>\n
Fulham defender Joachim Andersen was also dismissed before the interval after another VAR intervention turned referee Andy Madley’s initial booking for a foul on Adrien Truffert into a red card.<\/p>\n
Brazilian teenager Rayan won the game for Bournemouth in the 53rd minute with a fine finish from just outside the penalty area.<\/p>\n
The Cherries, unbeaten in their last 16 league matches, are aiming to qualify for Europe for the first time their history.<\/p>\n
Brighton bolstered their bid to qualify for Europe with a 3-0 win against Wolves at the Amex Stadium.<\/p>\n
Jack Hinshelwood nodded Brighton in front after 37 seconds and Lewis Dunk’s header doubled their advantage in the fifth minute.<\/p>\n
Yankuba Minteh’s 86th-minute rocket completed the rout of already-relegated Wolves.<\/p>\n
With two games to play, Fabian Hurzeler’s side sit seventh, two points behind Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
A sixth-place finish will bring either Champions League or Europa League qualification.<\/p>\n
If Aston Villa finish fifth, their current position, and beat Freiburg in the Europa League final, then sixth place will secure a Champions League berth. <\/p>\n
Manchester City host Brentford in Saturday’s late game as they look to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola’s second-placed side are five points behind Arsenal, who travel to third-bottom West Ham on Sunday.<\/p>\n
City have a game in hand on Arsenal but the destiny of the title is no longer in their hands after their damaging 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday.<\/p>\n
Arsenal, who have also reached the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, will seal their first English title for 22 years if they win their last three games.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n