Late header gives Chelsea Champions League hope

Chelsea’s destiny was slipping from their grasp. They sat in sixth, the time ticking away, the verdicts that, once again, they were blue billion-pound bottle jobs growing nearer.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Until the man who was one of the first of their £1.2bn spending spree, who, for a while, had looked one of the worst of them, intervened. Marc Cucurella’s goal means Chelsea are one win away, even if that one game is away at Nottingham Forest, who harbour similar aspirations of a berth in the Champions League.

Chelsea may yet face Manchester United there. Clubs who met in the 2008 Champions League final were watched by Todd Boehly and Jim Ratcliffe, seemingly studies in unsuccessful ownership. And yet their playthings appear too big to fail completely, their resources such that they can afford many a mistake and yet still end up among the European elite, nevertheless delivered a compelling contest. There was jeopardy only for Chelsea, as Aston Villa overcame Tottenham, their hopes seemed to be receding, their diaries for the 2025-26 season having Thursday night action pencilled again.