Chelsea's victory over Barcelona has added to the pressure in the race for the top four.

If Chelsea, currently sixth in the Premier League, go on to win the Barclays Champions League without making the top four, they would go directly into the group stage of next season's competition courtesy of a rule forced through by UEFA after Liverpool won the competition in 2005 but did not finish in the top four.

The fourth-placed team would then be dumped into the Europa League, along with Liverpool - as Carling Cup winners - and the next best placed team in the Premier League.

Tottenham (fourth) and Newcastle (fifth) are most affected by the rule and, with only five games to go, have to face the possibility that finishing fourth may not secure Champions League football.