United, Chelsea into CL; Bournemouth, Watford down from EPL
(Oli Scarff/Pool via AP)Manchester United and Chelsea qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Leicester on a frantic final day of the Premier League season on Sunday, while Bournemouth and Watford were relegated to end five-year stays in the top flight. United won 2-0 at Leicester through goals by Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team a third-place finish. Captain Jack Grealish scored Villa's goal in what could be his last game for his boyhood club. Bournemouth did what it had to do and beat Everton, 3-1, but ended up one point behind Villa. Also, Southampton beat Sheffield United 3-1, with Danny Ings scoring his 22nd goal of the season.
Premier League reaches climax with plenty still at stake
Manchester United's Paul Pogba runs during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and West Ham at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Intriguingly, two of them face off on the final day, with Leicester hosting United at King Power Stadium. Chelsea is guaranteed a return to the Champions League with a win or a draw. One of Chelsea, Leicester and United is sure to take one of the spots while the other will go to Wolves or Tottenham. FAREWELLSDavid Silva will play his final Premier League game for Man City before he leaves the club after 10 years.
Talking points ahead of the Premier League restart
FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, April 9, 2020, gates stand locked outside the closed English Premier League soccer Manchester City Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, northern England. The Premier League resumes Wednesday June 17 after its three-month suspension because of the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)Some talking points ahead of the resumption of the Premier League following a three-month suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic:RECORD-BREAKING REDSThe fact that Liverpool will win its first English league title in 30 years is not really in doubt. The 25-point lead is the biggest in English history, while 22 straight home wins over the past two seasons is also a Premier League record. Given the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak on soccer, staying in the Premier League has rarely been so vital economically.