Chelsea finishes 5th in EPL after losing 3-0 at Newcastle
Posted May 13, 2018 7:00 am
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) - Ayoze Perez struck twice to end Chelsea's faint hopes of Champions League qualification as Newcastle secured a top-10 finish on its return to the Premier League on Sunday.
Chelsea lost 3-0 in the final game of a pitiful title defense that saw the London club finish fifth. Chelsea could soon be looking for a new manager with Antonio Conte expected to leave after Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester United.
Dwight Gayle headed in the opener in the 23rd minute, and Perez's second-half double ended a run of four successive losses and clinched 10th place, fuelling fresh calls from the stands for manager Rafael Benitez to extend his stay at Newcastle.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park, in Newcastle, England, Sunday May 13, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park, in Newcastle, England, Sunday May 13, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Newcastle United's Jamaal Lascelles, left and Chelsea's Ross Barkley battle for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park, in Newcastle, England, Sunday May 13, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey, centre, has a shot on goal, during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park, in Newcastle, England, Sunday May 13, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez gestures, after the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park, in Newcastle, England, Sunday May 13, 2018. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
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