UCL: How Chelsea Benefited From Man City and Arsenal’s Eliminations Despite Not Playing

• Arsenal and Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League
• Bayern beat Arsenal 1-0, while Real Madrid beat Man City 4-3 on penalties
• Chelsea fans were one of the most joyous people on social media last night

Chelsea did not participate in the UEFA Champions League this year and will not participate next season, but their name is mentioned every matchday.

The Blues finished 12th after a disastrous season last year, thus missing out on this year's tournament.

As usual, four English teams were featured in this year's edition. Newcastle and Manchester United were eliminated in the first stage after finishing at the bottom of their groups.

The last two, Arsenal and Manchester City, reached the last eight before being dumped out by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively, and both results are pluses for the Blues.

Arsenal's 'good energy' fuels double bid as Bayern test looms

Football

How Chelsea benefited from UCL QF's

Football fans celebrate their rivals' losses, an action described as “hate-watching” on social media, but for the two-time UCL winners, it means so much more than hate.

Per Chelsea News, Arsenal's elimination last night means the Blues will be the only London club participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

After a 6-0 demolition of Everton on Monday, their next game is in the FA Cup against City, who played an intense 120 minutes against Madrid last night. Mauricio Pochettino's men should capitalise on the fatigue and dejection.

The domestic cup is their best chance of European football next season as a win will send them straight to the UEFA Europa League, though they could still qualify on league standings.

Per ESPN, the Champions League will move to a new format of 36 team's next season. The teams will be in one big table, and each club will play against teams to be decided in a round-robin.

Man City's Mr. Reliable Rodri stands in Real Madrid's way

Football

Pochettino furious with journalist

Sports Brief reported on Pochettino's verbal exchange with a journalist during his post-match conference after Chelsea beat Everton 6-0 on Monday night.

Most of the questions asked were about the penalty incident in which Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson created a scene before Cole Palmer scored his fourth goal.