Premier League Final Day Round-Up: Man City secure fourth while Arsenal finish above Tottenham again

On the final day of an incredible Premier League season, Manchester City secured fourth place with a 1-1 draw with Swansea, whilst rivals Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford was abandoned due to a bomb scare. 

Just 15 minutes before kick-off, two stands were evacuated and shortly after the scheduled kick-off time of 3pm, the game was abandoned on police advice. A controlled explosion was carried out and it was later discovered the device had been left behind from a training exercise by a private company.

The game will now be played on Tuesday night, with little riding on it after the City result. They took the lead through a Kelechi Iheanacho tap-in, but were pegged back on the stroke of half-time thanks to a deflected Andre Ayew free-kick. The point though was enough in Manuel Pellegrini’s last game in charge, with United needing a 19-goal win in their game to overtake City, meanwhile Swansea finish in 12th and end the season on a three-game unbeaten run.

Newcastle thumped Tottenham 5-1 at St. James’ Park to complete Spurs’ dismal end to the season. The Magpies went 2-0 ahead through Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic, before Erik Lamela pulled one back. Mitrovic was then shown a straight red card for a shocking challenge on Kyle Walker, seemingly opening the door for Mauricio Pochettino’s men to make a comeback.

However, Rafa Benitez’s side only got stronger and saw Wijnaldum extend their lead from the penalty spot. In the closing stages the goals kept coming, as Rolando Aarons fired in before Daryl Janmaat finished a swift counter attack to complete a bizarre game. The result does nothing for Newcastle who are relegated despite finishing the campaign on a six-game unbeaten run, whilst Spurs finish third after failing to win any of their last four.

Olivier Giroud of Arsenal scores the opening goal against Villa. Photo: Charlotte Wilson/Offside

Arsenal comfortably beat bottom side Aston Villa 4-0 at the Emirates. Olivier Giroud netted a hat-trick before Mikel Arteta’s shot hit the bar and deflected in off goalkeeper Mark Bunn in the Spaniard’s final appearance for the Gunners. The win meant the Gunners pipped bitter rivals Tottenham to second place and finished above them for a 21st consecutive season, whilst Villa’s horrendous season finally ends with them 17 points adrift at the bottom.

Southampton secured a spot in the Europa League with a convincing 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s. Sadio Mane gave the hosts the lead and Graziano Pelle doubled it before Jason Puncheon pulled one back. Ryan Bertrand restored the two-goal lead from the penalty spot for Saints, before Steven Davis added a fourth late on. Ronald Foeman’s side end the season on a six-game unbeaten run and will finish fifth or sixth depending on Manchester United’s result, whilst Palace will finish 15th or 16th depending on the same game.

West Ham missed out on the top six after they were beaten 2-1 by Stoke at the Britannia. The Hammers took the lead through Michail Antonio’s strike, before Gianelli Imbula equalised with a low drive and Mame Biram Diouf headed in with two minutes remaining to steal the points. The Potters finish ninth after their first win in six, whereas Slaven Bilic’s men finish in seventh in their final season at Upton Park.

Champions Leicester finished their incredible season with a 1-1 draw with former champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Cesc Fabregas’ penalty was cancelled out by a brilliant strike from Danny Drinkwater nine minutes from the end. The point means the Foxes finish on 81 and ten points clear of second-placed Arsenal; meanwhile the Blues finish an awful season in tenth.

Danny Drinkwater celebrates his brilliant goal against Chelsea. Photo: Kieran Clarke/Offside

Watford and Sunderland played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road in Quique Sanchez Flores’ final game in charge of the Hornets. Jack Rodwell put the visitors ahead before Sebastian Prodl headed in an equaliser. Jeremain Lens restored the lead three minutes later, but Troy Deeney secured a point from the penalty spot just after the hour. Watford finish their first season back in the league in 13th, whereas Sunderland finish 17th.

Everton comfortably beat Norwich 3-0 at Goodison Park in their first game since Roberto Martinez’s sacking. Goals from James McCarthy, Kevin Mirallas and a Leighton Baines penalty were enough for the Toffees to end a forgettable season that saw them finish 11th, whilst the Canaries finish 19th and go straight back to the Championship.

West Brom and Liverpool drew 1-1 at the Hawthorns. Salomon Rondon’s early goal was cancelled out by a lovely solo goal from Jordon Ibe as the Reds fielded a young side ahead of the Europa League final on Wednesday. The Baggies will finish 14th if Bournemouth do not beat Manchester United and finish the season with a nine-game winless run, whereas Liverpool finish eighth.

Player of the Weekend: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
Team of the Weekend: Newcastle United
Goal of the Week: Danny Drinkwater (Chelsea vs LEICESTER CITY)