Arsenal pip rivals Spurs to 2nd place, City all-but claim UCL berth
Arsenal 4, Aston Villa 0
Olivier Giroud's first-ever Barclays Premier League hat-trick saw Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the final game of the season to secure a second-place finish at the expense of rivals Tottenham.
It was an afternoon of 'what might have been' after the Gunners had entered 2016 top of the table and looking in good shape to claim their first title in 12 years.
Instead the 4-0 victory over the long-since relegated Villa saw Arsenal leapfrog Spurs to finish second to champions Leicester as Giroud picked the perfect time to show Arsene Wenger he can lead the line at the Emirates Stadium going into next season, with a last-gasp Mark Bunn own goal sealing the win.
The win, coupled with Tottenham's capitulation at Newcastle, means Arsenal have not finished below their neighbors since 1995 and were able to toast 'St Totteringham's Day', the name fans have given to the point where they are assured of finishing above Spurs, once again.
Newcastle United 5, Tottenham Hotspur 1
Tottenham's hopes of finishing a Barclays Premier League season above north London rivals Arsenal for the first time since 1995 were left in tatters as relegated Newcastle turned on the style at St James' Park.
As Rafael Benitez was subjected to a sustained chorus of affection from the St James' Park fans, the under-performing Magpies saved their best performance of the season for the time it mattered least.
Two goals from Gini Wijnaldum, one for Aleksandar Mitrovic, plus late strikes from Daryl Janmaat and Rolando Aarons - the latter two after Newcastle had been reduced to 10 men following Mitrovic's sending-off - sealed an extraordinary final day 5-1 victory.
And coupled with Arsenal's win over Aston Villa, it meant that Spurs - who had briefly reduced the deficit to 2-1 through Erik Lamela - would end a hugely promising season in third place and behind the Gunners once again.
Chelsea 1, Leicester City 1
Premier League champions Leicester refused to be beaten as they finished their remarkable season with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
Cesc Fabregas' penalty saw Chelsea lead, but their successors as champions responded through Danny Drinkwater's long-range effort eight minutes from time.
Leicester, survivors 12 months ago, finished 10 points clear.
Chelsea, their predecessors, ended a miserable campaign in 10th place and with doubt still surrounding the future of captain John Terry.
Everton 3, Norwich City 0
Everton made a winning start to life after Roberto Martinez as Tim Howard bade farewell with a clean sheet.
Toffees fans had been calling for the Spaniard's head with increasing ferocity and Bill Kenwright finally brought the axe down on Thursday.
Only five home wins in the Premier League this season played a big part in Martinez's demise but David Unsworth and Joe Royle, who were placed in temporary charge, were victorious at the first time of asking as Norwich were dispatched 3-0.
The relegated Canaries certainly did not offer the stiffest opposition and James McCarthy put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute, with Leighton Baines netting a penalty just before half-time.
Kevin Mirallas added the third three minutes after the break as the toxic atmosphere of recent months at Goodison Park was replaced by a stroll in the sunshine.
Swansea 1, Manchester City 1
Manuel Pellegrini has all-but delivered Champions League football in his final game as Manchester City manager with a 1-1 draw at Swansea.
Only a massive swing in goal difference in Manchester United's favor in their rearranged fixture against Bournemouth can now deny City and their incoming manager Pep Guardiola fourth place and with it a berth in the qualifiers for Europe's premier club competition.
As news that United's game had been delayed and subsequently abandoned after a suspect package was found inside Old Trafford filtered down to south Wales before kick-off, City just had to focus on their own job.
They are now all-but certain of achieving their objective after Kelechi Iheanacho's early strike, which was canceled out on the stroke of half-time by Andre Ayew's deflected free-kick.
Watford 2, Sunderland 2
Watford twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland as Quique Sanchez Flores oversaw his final game in charge at Vicarage Road.
The Black Cats looked on course to celebrate achieving Barclays Premier League survival with a final-day victory as Jack Rodwell and then Jeremain Lens put them in front.
But both times Watford hit back, Sebastian Prodl heading home and Troy Deeney converting a second-half penalty to ensure the Hornets took a point, with honorary life president Elton John watching from the stands.
Sunderland may well feel aggrieved after the impressive Duncan Watmore and Dame N'Doye both had goals ruled out.
It means Watford end the season 13th in the table while Sunderland finish 17th, just outside the relegation places.
West Brom 1, Liverpool 1
Liverpool clearly had their minds on Wednesday's Europa League final but West Brom were still unable to end their Barclays Premier League campaign with a win as they drew 1-1 at The Hawthorns.
Jurgen Klopp perhaps gave an indication of what his starting line-up will be in Basle against Sevilla by making 11 changes, with star performers such as Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge not even on the bench.
A disjointed Liverpool team made a lackluster start in the west Midlands and fell behind after 13 minutes. Joe Allen, perhaps the only man on duty on Sunday with any hopes of being involved in the forthcoming European showpiece, did his slim chances little good by giving the ball away midway inside his own half to Jonathan Leko.
The teenager weaved his way between three Liverpool defenders before slipping a pass down the right-hand side of the penalty area to Salomon Rondon who beat goalkeeper Adam Bogdan at his near post with a low shot.
It was a great individual run by Leko but an an even better solo effort from Jordon Ibe brought Liverpool level midway through the first half.
Stoke City 2, West Ham 1
Stoke came from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium and leave the visitors facing the possibility of missing out on Europe.
Michail Antonio's 23rd-minute opener for the Hammers was cancelled out in the 55th minute by a Giannelli Imbula strike.
Diafra Sakho had squandered a great chance to make it 2-0 just before Imbula's equalizer and a series of goal-line clearances subsequently stopped the visitors regaining the lead, with only inches in it on one occasion.
Potters substitute Mame Diouf then headed home with two minutes to go to wrap up a first victory in seven for his side, who finish the season in ninth place in the Barclays Premier League table, matching their final position in the last two campaigns.
West Ham finished seventh, and will only qualify for the Europa League if Manchester United beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final next weekend.
Southampton 4, Crystal Palace 1
Southampton have secured a top-six finish and qualification for next season's Europa League with a convincing 4-1 Barclays Premier League defeat of Crystal Palace.
Julian Speroni's record-equaling appearance for Palace proved a disappointing one after his error led to Sadio Mane scoring Southampton's opening goal, and thereafter Graziano Pelle, Ryan Bertrand and Steven Davis added further goals to secure the comfortable victory that takes them up to fifth place. Jason Puncheon notched for the Eagles.
Manchester United can yet overtake Southampton by defeating Bournemouth in their rearranged fixture, but the guarantee of European competition unquestionably represents success for Ronald Koeman's team.
