For the first time ever two English clubs play for the Champions League title and at the same time, two English clubs will play for the Europa League title.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal qualified for the Europa League final last night when Arsenal beat Valencia 4-2 away after beating them at home 3-1 last week to win to two-legged tie 7-3.
It was a little tougher for Chelsea who drew 1-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt after drawing by the same 1-1 scoreline last week,
But Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the finals.
Chelsea players celebrate winning penalty shoot-out
Chelsea have won the Europa League only once before when they beat Benfica 2-1 in 2014 with a stoppage winner coming from Ivanovic after Torres had scored in the first half.
Rafa Benitez was the interim Chelsea manager at the time, and also had the Blues finish in the top four in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League in the following season.
But the London fans didn’t like Rafa, and he then joined Napoli the following year.
The wins of last night in the Europa League follow the heroics of both Liverpool and Tottenham earlier this week in both clubs reaching the Champions League final.
There was another miracle from Liverpool when they won the second leg 4-0 against Barcelona at Anfield on Tuesday night.
That was after losing the first leg 3-0.
And Tottenham were just as dramatic.
They lost the first leg at home 1-0 against Ajax last week and were 2-0 down in the second leg on Wednesday night in Amsterdam and then decided to smash in three unanswered goals.
The two-legged tie stood at 3-3 with Spurs going through on away goals.
It’s the first time ever that Spurs have reached the Champions League final.
And it’s small wonder the Premier League is the most watched sports league in the world today,
Well done Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Now – can Newcastle qualify for the Europa League next season?
That’s the big question – always assuming Rafa stays with us.
If Rafa goes – it’s all over so nothing will matter.
Comments welcome.
42 comments so far
Optimistic Panda
May 10, 2019 at 6:20 AM
Comment #1Munster
I’m surprised you dont like scousers, like the Irish the arent to blame for anything.
Lindisfarne
May 10, 2019 at 6:40 AM
Comment #2I wish I had put a bet on this happening.
Ron Knee
May 10, 2019 at 7:12 AM
Comment #3“Arsenal face a dilemma over whether to apply for a visa for Henrikh Mkhitaryan after reaching the Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku.
“Armenia captain Mkhitaryan has missed games in Azerbaijan for Arsenal and former club Dortmund in recent years.
“There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan because of a longstanding conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.”
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 7:18 AM
Comment #4Tasteless as ever
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 7:32 AM
Comment #5Mark Lawrenson thinks Rafa will stay
So that’s alright then
😛
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 7:37 AM
Comment #6What is bloody tasteless is Oldgit1 posting the RIP before Ron, bloody nerve that like.
Ron Knee
May 10, 2019 at 7:40 AM
Comment #7I agree.
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 7:40 AM
Comment #8RobLeenio,
Have their not been a good few all Spanish Europa leagues, was one of them when Real played Athletico?
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 7:42 AM
Comment #9Nope, it was Seville vs Benfica.
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 7:45 AM
Comment #10Reading this
https://cadenaser.com/emisora/2019/05/07/radio_club_tenerife/1557257815_850292.html
I think Ayoze is away – most likely back to Spain
He infers he has talked to NUFC and the club is open to offers.
He thinks he has more chance of Spanish caps back home.
Ron Knee
May 10, 2019 at 7:47 AM
Comment #11So two English clubs off to Baku for the final and only two English players (I think) started last night.
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 7:49 AM
Comment #12real madrid beat atletico madrid 4 – 1
in the 2014 cl final in the stadium of light (the Lisbon one)
RobLeenio
May 10, 2019 at 7:56 AM
Comment #13Jail I was wondering if this was the first time that both European finals would be populated by teams from a single country.
Was probably a little ambiguous, it was late and was just kidding out loud.
RobLeenio
May 10, 2019 at 7:56 AM
Comment #14*musing
Ron Knee
May 10, 2019 at 8:24 AM
Comment #15“It is the first time all four finalists in Europe’s top two competitions have come from one nation.
“Spain had three teams in the finals of the two competitions in 2015-16, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid contesting the Champions League trophy and Unai Emery’s Sevilla winning the Europa League.”
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 8:27 AM
Comment #16RobLeenio,
Me too, my best guess was the one above as Spanish clubs seem to have dominated the EL over the last few years.
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 8:48 AM
Comment #17It just goes to show that foreign players may
not weaken a national side as much as some
think.
The two most dominant figures in La Liga CR7 and Messi
are non Spaniards yet apart from Euro cup domination the
Spaniards also managed World & Euro nations cups.
England had their best showing in a WC for years in Moscow.
Munster Mag
May 10, 2019 at 8:54 AM
Comment #18Would be sad to lose perez but maybe Rafa thinks miggy can play more centrally and take his place. Either way it will swell the war chest as we should get a decent wedge for him and no doubt we will have five or six names in place to replace him. It will come back to the question of control of the budget for rafa etc and whether he can go out and immediately spend 20mill or whether Ashley will delay enough for Bournemouth etc to steal the player whilst we haggle below market rate.
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 8:59 AM
Comment #19You should be able to tell if Perez has something lined up
from his response to the away fans on Sunday.
bettyswallocks
May 10, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Comment #20As I hinted at the other day, looks like wor Ayoze’s recent upturn in form was him playing for a move.
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 9:05 AM
Comment #21betty
You saying he could have scored hat tricks before
but never bothered cos he was happy at SJP ?
ha ha ha
there’s some plugs post on this blog
😀
toon22
May 10, 2019 at 9:06 AM
Comment #22Munster
I’m sure your mate Mikey will have the clubs interest at heart
LoL
RobLeenio
May 10, 2019 at 9:15 AM
Comment #23bettys, I think wor Ayoze is playing a canny game – he’s keeping his options open till he sees what Rafa’s contract situation is.
I think he and Rafa have a great relationship and, if Rafa signs, an improved contract offer will be on the table for our other important Spaniard which will keep him happy for the next few years.
Tsunki
May 10, 2019 at 9:18 AM
Comment #24Impressive display by Munster lately. Surely must have the free diving record by now 🙂 particularly great achievement to do it while fuelled with cheap alcohol too. I’ve decided not to “catch up” too much on the blog goings-on lately as it’s been a pretty miserable show of spite by some, and a not very impressive exhibition of bullying to boot. I think it’s the type of behaviour that’s to blame for the downturn in posts, ironically it’s most likely its mainly those who complained about posters “staying away” that are encouraging bloggers not to bother.
bettyswallocks
May 10, 2019 at 9:19 AM
Comment #25Jib……… Without over elaborating there is a marked difference between indolence , complacency and making extra effort. Which of the three you choose to describe his mindset as opposed to his ability is up to you.
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 9:19 AM
Comment #26Pepe the frog has come up as toonbrother on my device !!!!!
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 9:20 AM
Comment #27Munster,
Will it swell the war chest though, 25M over five years and we have to cough up 20M in one hit, these are obviously Rafas sticking points along with the training facilities, speed of transfers, age policy, purple policy and that clown Churnley left to do the negotiations.
martoon
May 10, 2019 at 9:24 AM
Comment #28To be fair to Perez most footballers want to win something in their career and he knows if he stops here it will never happen unless you count the Championship. He’s probably thinking it’s now or never!
bettyswallocks
May 10, 2019 at 9:27 AM
Comment #29Having just read through some of last night’s posts I was shocked and sickened to read that Munster has now decided to support and attempt to justify our delightful owner’s running of the club.
When so many of us are disgusted, frustrated and extremely angry at the shameful and disrespectful way Mike Ashley has conducted himself as the owner of our great club , Munster decides to praise him . This really does beggar belief.
bettyswallocks
May 10, 2019 at 9:29 AM
Comment #30Rob……. Aye you could well be right. I suppose it’s only human nature to put one’s personal agenda above all else.
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 9:29 AM
Comment #31No doubt Jiblets gang will believe that and use it as a stick to beat the frog with, just your device Jib, which username were you logged in as, surely not Jeff from Benwell?
martoon
May 10, 2019 at 9:37 AM
Comment #32Betty – I thought you would have more sense? Munster was on a windup especially aimed at Toon22.
RobLeenio
May 10, 2019 at 9:41 AM
Comment #33betys, I’m not sure he has a personal agenda, above what is normal in any walk of life. If you’re thinking the conditions of the job you’re in might be about to take a massive turn for the worse, it’s natural to look at options in case you need to jump ship.
I think it’s also natural that Perez has a strong loyalty to Rafa, but not to the fans, given what was being thrown at him in the first half of the season.
I remember him being booed ON to the pitch at SJP against Watford, before scoring the winner. Has that ever happened before (the booing, not the winner)?
That bond between him and the fans will take a long time to build again.
toon22
May 10, 2019 at 9:51 AM
Comment #34Have you noticed how pro MA posters get hacked by people defending MA ?
LoL
toon22
May 10, 2019 at 9:52 AM
Comment #35Martoon
Yeh lol
Right
Optimistic Panda
May 10, 2019 at 9:52 AM
Comment #36Munster was winding up Toon22 my arse.
Was he doing that 3 or 4 years ago before toon 22 started posting?
Hes a wum end of, a attention seeking pratt who knows nowt about football.
Jail for Ashley
May 10, 2019 at 9:55 AM
Comment #37Found this gem from Jeff
Jeff from Benwell
Jan 21, 2015 at 12:41 PM
Comment #100
beermonkey—-This is what you and the other monkeys at the Mag can`t get your heads round – like it or lump it – Ashley IS the club
Jib
May 10, 2019 at 9:59 AM
Comment #38Ooh I’ve got a gang !!!
This is lush
Just like being at King Eddies again.
Can I call it the Outlaws
there’s Henry an’ Douglas an’ Ginger
bettyswallocks
May 10, 2019 at 9:59 AM
Comment #39Martoon…….. Munster would obviously like us all to believe he was on the wind up but I’m not falling for it!!
toon22
May 10, 2019 at 10:04 AM
Comment #40Every time it’s someone defending MA isn’t it
😉