Sunderland secure European spot with win over Chelsea

May 24 : Sunderland became only the fifth side in Premier League history to qualify for Europe in their first season following promotion after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.

A 25th-minute volley from Trai Hume and a second-half own goal from Malo Gusto lifted Sunderland into seventh place in the table. Cole Palmer pulled one back for a Chelsea side who had Wesley Fofana sent off.

Sunderland will join Bournemouth, who drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest, in the Europa League next season with Chelsea missing out on Europe entirely.

The Conference League spot went to Brighton & Hove Albion in eighth despite a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United.

United, whose talisman Bruno Fernandes scored a goal and supplied a record-breaking 21st assist of the season, had Champions League qualification wrapped up as did champions Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Liverpool picked up the point they needed to make mathematically certain with a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford.

Crystal Palace can also qualify for next season's Europa League if they beat Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday. 

Sunderland last played in Europe in the 1973-74 Cup Winners’ Cup but after a superb return season in the top flight they have a lot to look forward to next season.

“At the start of the season I don’t think anybody would have given us a chance to stay up never mind to do what we’ve done,” Hume told BBC Sport. “But it’s all credit to the owner, the staff, the players they have brought in, the players they kept and the way we have worked every day. We have worked our socks off and we fully deserved that.”

BOURNEMOUTH MAKE POINT

Bournemouth, who were in the third tier of English football 13 years ago, will play