Chelsea route to Europe as every Europa League and Conference League permutation explained

Despite such a poor start to the Premier League season, Chelsea managed to finish sixth and secure European football. The Blues cruised past Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, bringing an end to Mauricio Pochettino's first campaign in charge.

Moises Caicedo fired Chelsea ahead in the first half, finding the net from the halfway line. The 22-year-old midfielder picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch before netting the furthest goal scored in an English top flight game since November 2017, when Wayne Rooney bagged for Everton.

Shortly after the break, Raheem Sterling doubled the west London outfits' lead, though it didn't take long for the Cherries to bite back. Enes Ünal left Marc Cucurella scrambling at the back-post before his strike was deflected past Djordje Petrovic by Benoit Badiashile.

Chelsea managed to hold on and secure sixth place, but it remains to be seen whether they'll be playing in the Europa League or Conference League next season. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at when – and how – the Blues will learn their fate.

While the west Londoners aren't, of course, in the FA Cup final, the clash remains hugely significant. Manchester United and Manchester City will lock horns at Wembley on Sunday, May 25, with the Red Devils eager to exact revenge on their rivals for last year's humiliation.

So, if the winner finishes in the top five of the Premier League – and therefore qualifies for the Champions League or Europa League through their league position – the Europa League spot will be passed down to the next-highest-ranked English top-flight club not competing in Europe.

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So, if United win the FA Cup then they qualify for the Europa League, with Chelsea claiming a spot in the Europa Conference League. But, if City defend their title then Europa League qualification will be awarded to team ranked fifth and sixth, while seventh place claims Europa Conference League.

United finished the campaign in eighth on 60 points, while Newcastle placed seventh on 60 points, edging ahead on goal difference. Chelsea ended the season in sixth on 63 points and Tottenham Hotspur placed fifth on 66 points.

City, who defended their title as English champions, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa claimed Champions League qualification.