Chelsea's late surge towards European qualification has been credited to the club's enduring patience throughout a challenging season, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.
In a crucial match against Brighton on Wednesday, Chelsea clinched a 2-1 victory, propelling them to sixth place in the Premier League standings with just one game remaining.
Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea with his 22nd league goal of the season in the 34th minute, giving his team an early advantage.
Christopher Nkunku extended Chelsea's lead with a goal in the 64th minute, before Reece James received a red card for a foul on Brighton's Joao Pedro.
Despite a late goal from Brighton's Danny Welbeck in stoppage time, Chelsea managed to maintain their lead, securing their fourth consecutive league victory, a feat not achieved since October 2022.
The victory was further solidified as Newcastle suffered a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United in Wednesday's other fixture, allowing Chelsea to leapfrog Newcastle in the standings.
Chelsea's path to next season's Europa League is now almost certain, as they only need to avoid defeat against Bournemouth in their upcoming match at Stamford Bridge. Alternatively, if seventh-placed Newcastle fails to win against Brentford, Chelsea's Europa League qualification will be secured.
Furthermore, there is still a possibility for Chelsea to finish fifth if they defeat Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur loses against Sheffield United.
Despite facing criticism throughout his debut season, Pochettino's management has orchestrated an impressive recovery for Chelsea, culminating in their current position on the brink of European qualification.
While speculation surrounded Pochettino's future at the club, with hints of a potential departure, the Argentine manager praised Chelsea's leadership for adhering to their strategic plan, which has ultimately paid dividends on the pitch.
