Chelsea sealed fourth-place and a spot in next season’s Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Wolves on Sunday.
The Blues needed a point at Stamford Bridge to secure a top-four finish but they outclassed Nuno Espirito Santo’s side with a fine performance.
Mason Mount curled a magnificent free-kick past Rui Patricio to open the scoring after 46 minutes, with Olivier Giroud doubling the advantage three minutes later.
Frank Lampard’s men were in cruise control for the second-half as Willy Caballero, who replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga in goals, had two saves to make all game.
New signings Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech were watching from the stands and will now look forward to helping their new team in Europe’s premier competition next season.
Wolves now finish in seventh and can qualify for next season’s Champions League if Arsenal lose to Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Speaking after the game, Lampard said: “I am very pleased but I don’t want to sing my own praises, because it is obviously the players that produce for you.
“There were a lot of unknowns, a lot I have gone over when they had to be said. You always rely on the group and the players you have got.
“We have seen breakthrough seasons, players on loan and the players who were on loan and perform. We have seen the stories of players like Giroud, Willian, Pedro and Kovacic, Jorginho, people who have really provided along the way. Collective effort of staff and players.
“I am proud, but I put small brackets around that because it is Chelsea and we want to be challenging for league titles. We’re not in that position now, I knew that going into the season. I knew that to compete, not just Liverpool and Man City, but Man United, Wolves, Tottenham and Arsenal, who spent an awful lot, £100million, and have really strong teams already, it was going to be really tough for us. The lads have competed.
“We have been inconsistent at times, we will be brutally honest about that, but we can improve going forward. But tonight we can be pleased with what we have achieved.”
