Aston Villa's bid to finish in the English Premier League's top four was rocked by a 1-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion, while Chelsea thrashed West Ham United 5-0 to keep alive their hopes of European qualification on May 5.
A Villa win combined with Tottenham Hotspur's 4-2 loss at Liverpool in the late game on May 5 would have sealed a Champions League place for Unai Emery's side.
However, Villa were unable to fulfil their part of that equation, as Brighton forward Joao Pedro's 87th-minute goal condemned them to a second painful defeat in four days.
Pedro headed in the rebound for his 20th goal of the season in all competitions after Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen - in for the injured Emiliano Martinez - saved his penalty.
The Brazilian became the first player to score at least 20 goals in a single season for Brighton across all competitions since Glenn Murray (23) in the 2016-17 season.
His winner ended Brighton's six match run without victory.
Esta historia es de la edición May 06, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 06, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THE NEW BERNABEU A REAL PROBLEM
Locals and neighbourhood residents hate noise from concerts and construction work
Japan seek to beat the heat and Saudi Arabia
HONG KONG - Japan face second-placed Saudi Arabia in Group C of Asia's third round of World Cup qualifiers in Jeddah on Oct 10, looking to continue their prolific start as top-of-the-table clashes take centre stage across the continent.
Police investigating Spanish pair over protests in S'pore
A Spanish man and woman in their 30s are assisting the police with investigations after photos appeared on social media of the man holding a banner in various parts of Singapore to protest against Singaporean business magnate Peter Lim, who owns Spanish top-tier football club Valencia.
FROM SAUDI SPLURGE TO SPENDING SLUMP
Football transfer outlay drops in 2024 as officials assess the commercial returns
Future looks bright for America's Cup: Ainslie
BARCELONA - Sailing has a great opportunity to develop as a sport if the America's Cup can involve more frequent events and evolve the boats now being raced, according to British skipper Ben Ainslie.
Sport can be 'solution multiplier' for climate
LONDON – Sports clubs and organisations must raise their game and become leaders in the battle to prevent catastrophic climate change, Sport England chairman Chris Boardman said on Oct 8.
SINNER TO BE GIVEN NO QUARTER
Medvedev vows to put up a better fight against world No. 1 in Shanghai last eight
Ryder Cup captains won't exclude LIV Golf players
NEW YORK - Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald said on Oct 8 that they will not shy away from including LIV Golf players in their respective teams for the 2025 biennial showdown between the United States and Europe.
MISTY SWIFT EARNS EVEN MORE FANS AT TRIALS
Ex-Kranji runner No More Delay also struts his stuff at hit-outs
MediShield Life can be made more effective. Its review holds the key
We must incentivise outpatient treatment and accept that, in some cases, personalised medicine can save lives.
