Chelsea thrown lifeline in the race for Champions League qualification thanks to UEFA rule

Chelsea have been thrown a lifeline in the race for qualification to the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea could still qualify for the UEFA Champions League even if they finish seventh in the Premier League. The Blues have fallen behind in the race for a place in Europe's top-flight competitions next season, and Liam Rosenior is under pressure to turn things around.

The west Londoners dropped to sixth in the table just before the international break following a humiliating defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. It marked the fourth successive loss across all competitions, and the third in the last five Premier League games.

In fact, since the start of February, Chelsea have banked just eight points from a possible 21. Although the Blues are only a point behind Liverpool in fifth, Brentford and Everton have joined the race for qualification to the Champions League.

They're two points behind, piling the pressure on Rosenior's side. Fortunately for Chelsea, even if they don't finish in the top six, they could still squeeze into Europe's top-flight competition next term.

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If Liverpool win the Champions League this season while also finishing in the top five in the Premier League, their domestic qualification will be passed down to the team in sixth – so long as England remain in the top two of the UEFA Coefficient Table and secure a European Performance Spots (EPS), just as they did last term.

If Aston Villa finish sixth in the Premier League and win the Europa League, they, too, will qualify for Europe's top-flight competition. As a result, the team in seventh would secure a record-breaking seventh spot in the Champions League.

There would still be two Europa League spots and a Conference League space up for grabs, dropping to 10th in the table. If Crystal Palace finish in the bottom half of the Premier League and win the latter, that will earn them a place in the former, putting 11 English teams in Europe next season.

Last month, Rosenior claimed Chelsea must qualify for Europe's top-flight competition. The Blues boss said: "A successful season for this club has to be to qualify for the Champions League. It has to be.

"That’s the level of this club. Where we are, we still have a very, very good chance of achieving that. Also, to win a trophy would be amazing, and it’s something that’s achievable.

"It’s funny today, it’s the first time we trained with the white balls. That’s normally a sign we’re into that [run-in] period. For me, when those white balls come out, we can’t make those mistakes that we’re making.

"Because you’re running out of time and that’s the message myself and my staff have given the players this morning."

Following the win over Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final, Rosenior will now turn his attention to Chelsea's clash against Manchester City. The Blues will have a week or so to recharge their batteries before they welcome Pep Guardiola's side to Stamford Bridge.