Three of the four experienced rocky moments in the most congested group campaign ever but the Premier League will have a full allocation in February’s Champions League round of 16 - and the clubs are already more than £220m richer for their endeavours.
Manchester City progressed with ease, Liverpool and Chelsea overcame sluggish starts to advance and Tottenham Hotspur went through thanks to an impressive recovery away to Marseille on Tuesday night.
That will boost both England’s coefficient and the leading clubs’ coffers with the promise of much more should they reach the latter stages. The eventual winners can expect to earn an additional £45m before factoring in broadcast revenue.
