Chelsea Europa League qualification permutations explained after Everton win in top four wait

Chelsea are well in the hunt for the European places. Their 6-0 hammering of Everton has put Mauricio Pochettino's side not only back in the running to finish in the top six but also have it within their control.

With at least one game in hand on every side ahead of them in the table — and two matches on West Ham — the Blues are now in charge of their own destiny. Sat on 47 points from 31 matches they are one behind the Hammers in eighth, three off Manchester United in seventh, and the same from Newcastle in sixth.

Their goal difference has also been heavily boosted by their recent goalscoring exploits, already 15 better off than West Ham and 10 ahead of United. Newcastle's own impressive weekend victory — a 4-0 demolition of Tottenham — has them on +17.

Although Chelsea could lose ground on their rivals when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, the strong position remains following yet more dropped points for both West Ham and Manchester United. Pochettino has a tough fixture list ahead but must also welcome David Moyes to Stamford Bridge and travel to Brighton in a battle between the mid-table teams.

What is frustrating despite the commanding win on Monday night against the Toffees, is that Chelsea have already let their position slip. Draws to both Burnley and Sheffield United either side of their dramatic 4-3 win over the Red Devils have left them four points worse off than they would have expected to be.

With victories in those games as many would have expected, they would be in sixth in spite of the constant feeling that the club are teetering on the verge of turmoil. The table and recent form tell very different stories to the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge on matchday with a crisis