The final day of the Premier League season delivered once again as West Ham suffered relegation to the Championship despite a rousing 3-0 win over Leeds.
The Hammers had to win and hope Tottenham lost but only half of that equation came off with Spurs edging past Everton 1-0.
Joao Palhinha scored the only goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reacting quickest after his header had come back off the post two minutes before half-time.
There were one or two nervy moments late in the second period but Spurs held on, rendering West Ham’s win irrelevant.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side looked nervy in a low-quality first half but Taty Castellanos’ opener paved the way for West Ham to ease to the win with Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson also finding the target.
It ultimately wasn’t enough and, as news of Spurs’ win filtered through, Hammers fans knew their 14-year stay in the top-flight was over.
The other outstanding issue on the final day was the scramble for European spots.
Liverpool got the point they required to play in the Champions League after a 1-1 draw with Brentford at Anfield. On an emotional day as the home fans said farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Roberson, it was Curtis Jones who put the Reds in front but Kevin Schade equalised six minutes later.
Sunderland were the day’s big winners, beating Chelsea 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to secure a place in continental competition for just the second time in the club’s history.
Trai Hume and a Malo Gusto own goal put the Wearsiders in control and, although Cole Palmer pulled one back, the visitors’ hopes were effectively ended when Wesley Fofana was sent off 17 minutes into the second half.
Regis Le Bris’ side finished seventh, one position below Bournemouth who drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest. Chelsea ended up in 10th and there will be no European football for Xabi Alonso when he takes over at Stamford Bridge.
Morgan Gibbs-White scored his 18th goal of the season for Forest to send a reminder to England boss Thomas Tuchel having been left out of his World Cup squad on Friday but Marcus Tavernier levelled after 54 minutes as Andoni Iraola signed off his Cherries tenure with a deserved point.
Fernandes the star as Manchester United cruise at Brighton
Brighton will play in the Conference League after slipping to eighth courtesy of a 3-0 hammering by Manchester United.
Bruno Fernandes broke the Premier League assists record with number 21 to supply Patrick Dorgu with the opener and further goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Fernandes himself saw United to another impressive win.
Pep Guardiola’s 10-year reign at Manchester City ended with a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Antoine Semenyo put City in front but Ollie Watkins netted twice for the Europa League winners to end a brilliant week for Unai Emery’s men on a high.
Bernardo Silva and John Stones both started for City on their final appearances for the club.
Arsenal win again
Champions Arsenal won again, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal in front towards the end of a first half the visitors controlled and Noni Madueke doubled their advantage, firing home after Palace failed to deal with an Arsenal corner.
Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back in the final minute and Palace thought they had secured an unlikely point when Yeremy Pino scored in injury-time only for VAR to overrule his effort.
Issa Diop and Tom Cairney scored as Fulham beat Newcastle 2-0 at Craven Cottage while the battle of two relegated sides – Burnley and Wolves – ended 1-1 at Turf Moor.
Adam Armstrong put Wolves ahead with a fifth-minute penalty but Zian Flemming’s 11th goal of the season restored parity.
