Premier League Top-Five Race Wide Open as Everton and Brentford Eye Champions League Places

With five Champions League places on offer again this season, recent stumbles by elite clubs have created a rare opening for unexpected contenders.

Overview

Manchester United are described as being in pole position for a top-five finish, holding a seven-point cushion over sixth-place Chelsea with seven matches remaining.
Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton left them with one point from their last three league games as a looming PSG quarter-final threatens further distraction.
Chelsea’s 3-0 loss at Everton extended a run of one win in seven league matches, with reporting questioning Liam Rosenior’s prospects after an 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG.
Everton moved within three points of fifth after three wins in four, and David Moyes called merely being in European contention “unbelievable” given last season’s struggles.
Brentford remain within reach after another draw, with Keith Andrews saying it will take a “mammoth effort” to stay in the fight, and Newcastle could re-enter the mix with a Tyne–Wear derby win.