The final day of the Premier League season came to an end once again as West Ham suffered relegation to the Championship despite thrashing Leeds 3-0.
The Hammers had to win and hope Tottenham lost but only half of that equation came with Tottenham beating Everton 1-0.
Joao Baleña scored the only goal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reacting quickest after his header bounced off the post two minutes before half-time.
There were one or two tense moments late in the second half but Spurs held on, making West Ham’s win irrelevant.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side looked nervous in a low-quality first half, but Tati Castellanos’ opener paved the way for West Ham to ease to victory, with Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson also on target.
It wasn’t enough in the end, and as news of Tottenham’s win spread, 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 places.
Liverpool got the point they needed to play in the Champions League after drawing 1-1 with Brentford at Anfield. On an emotional day as the home fans bid farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Roberson, it was Curtis Jones who put the Reds ahead but Kevin Shady equalized six minutes later.
Sunderland were the big winners of the day, beating Chelsea 2-1 at the Stadium of Light to secure their place in the continental competition for only the second time in the club’s history.
Trae Hume and a Malo Giusto own goal put the Wearsiders ahead, 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 Press finished seventh, one place behind Bournemouth, who drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. Chelsea finished in 10th place 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 coach Thomas Tuchel after being left out of the World Cup squad on Friday but Marcus Tavernier equalized after 54 minutes as Andoni Iraola ended his tenure at the Cherries with a deserved point.
Fernandes stars as Manchester United travel to Brighton
Brighton will play in the Conference League after falling to eighth place thanks to its 3-0 defeat against Manchester United.
Bruno Fernandes broke a Premier League record with 21 to provide Patrick Dorgu with the opening goal and further goals from Brian Mbeumo and Fernandes himself saw United win another impressive win.
Pep Guardiola’s 10-year reign at Manchester City ended with a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa.
Antoine Semenyo put City ahead but Ollie Watkins scored twice for the Europa League winners to end a fantastic week for Unai Emery’s men at the highest level.
Bernardo Silva and John Stones both started for City in their final appearances for the club.
Arsenal wins again
Champions Arsenal won again, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal ahead towards the end of the first half, the visitors dominated and Noni Madueke doubled the lead with a powerful shot into the net after Palace failed to deal with an Arsenal corner.
Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled one back in the final minute and Palace thought they had earned an unexpected point when Jeremi Benno scored in stoppage time but his effort was disallowed by VAR.
Issa Diop and Tom Cairney scored as Fulham beat Newcastle 2-0 at Craven Cottage while the battle between the two relegated sides – Burnley and Wolves – ended in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.
Adam Armstrong put Wolves ahead with a fifth-minute penalty but Zian Fleming’s 11th goal of the season restored parity.
