Although most of Europe’s big leagues are done and dusted at both ends of the table, there was more than just pride at stake this week. Chelsea may have sewn up the Women’s Super League (WSL) title in midweek, so their 1-0 win over Tottenham meant little, but it was derby day in Manchester and Liverpool as United drew 2-2 with City and Everton came out on top over Liverpool once again with a 2-0 victory. Elsewhere, Aston Villa continued their good form with a 3-2 win away to West Ham and Crystal Palace vs. Leicester ended 2-2, while London City Lionesses were promoted to the top flight at the first time of asking since their takeover by Michele Kang.
In Germany, Bayern Munich are already champions but Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3-1 win at home to Hoffenheim was enough to confirm their place in the Champions League for next season ahead of next week’s final game with fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, before lowly Köln snapped their winless run away to Werder Bremen.
In Liga F, it was one step forward and one back for bottom-side Valencia who claimed another win, this time at home to Eibar, but they sit five points off safety as Levante Badalona’s 2-1 win away to Madrid CFF dealt a blow to their survival hopes. Elsewhere in Spain, Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win over Athletic Club in the weekend’s six-pointer boosted their chances of securing the third European berth behind champions-elect Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Juventus have long been champions in Italy, but Sampdoria were finally relegated with a 2-1 loss at home to Como, while AC Milan came from behind to snatch a late point in an engaging 3-3 draw against Roma.
Finally, Paris FC claimed their first silverware in a decade as they stood firm against Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final to come out on top after a penalty shootout.
Man United pip City to Champions League
After Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with rivals City on Sunday, the winners (Chelsea), top three (Arsenal and United), and relegated side (Crystal Palace) in the WSL have all been confirmed before the final game of the season.
After a turbulent campaign, City’s penultimate fixture saw them surrender a 2-0 lead to hand United the crucial point they needed. So, despite reaching the UWCL quarterfinals, City will end the season outside the top four and without silverware, having lost the League Cup final to Chelsea in March.
It marks a steep decline for a side that pushed Chelsea to the wire last season. The 17-point gap to this year’s champions, confirmed on Wednesday with two games to spare, reflects City’s injury crisis and the midseason dismissal of manager Gareth Taylor which derailed their campaign.
United’s comeback ensured their return to the Champions League, two seasons after their last qualification attempt fell short, and there will be hope that next season can bring even bigger rewards as they look to win back-to-back FA Cups under Marc Skinner later this month. — EK
