Arsenal celebrated being crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years with a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Gabriel Jesus struck in the 41st minute before Noni Madueke doubled the visitors’ advantage three minutes after the interval. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in the closing stages as Yeremy Pino’s stoppage-time strike was ruled out for offside.
The Gunners avoided the crippling anxiety of a final-day shoot-out after Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday, and their coronation here, Oliver Glasner’s last home fixture as Palace boss, started with 1,000 Arsenal fans lining Holmesdale Road to greet the champions’ two coaches.
Arsenal co-owners Stan Kroenke and his son Josh attended the title-winning party, while 15 miles north in the capital, delirious Arsenal supporters filled the pubs surrounding the Emirates Stadium – some having queued since 9am – to revel in the Gunners lifting the league trophy two decades on from Arsene Wenger’s 2004 ‘Invincibles’ team.
West Ham relegated as win over Leeds not enough
West Ham’s final-day win over Leeds was too little too late as they slumped to relegation from the Premier League.
The Hammers needed a victory and for Tottenham to lose at home to Everton to stay up and send Spurs down instead.
They kept their side of the bargain as second-half goals from Taty Castellanos, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson sank Leeds 3-0.
But Spurs, who had very sportingly been bad enough to take the relegation scrap to the last day, beat Everton 1-0 to survive by two points.
It brought to an end West Ham’s 15-year stay in the top flight, with relegation coming a decade after the controversial move to the London Stadium and the hollow promises from the owners that came with it.
Salah signs off Liverpool career with assist
Mohamed Salah came within the width of a post of signing off his Liverpool career in spectacular style but could at least claim an assist in the 1-1 draw with Brentford which guaranteed Champions League football.
Within last week’s social media post criticising the style of play was a pledge by the Egypt international to do everything he could to ensure a return to Europe’s elite club competition.
He did at least deliver on that with a trademark outside-of-the-left boot cross for Curtis Jones to bundle home.
And while Kevin Schade’s diving-header equalizer somewhat spoiled the narrative, there was no doubting who the afternoon belonged to.
Manchester United, who were already secured of Champions League football, closed the season with a 3-0 win over Brighton, who were forced to settle for a place in the Conference League.
United captain Fernandes set up Patrick Dorgu’s opener to claim the outright Premier League assist record with a tally of 21,before Bryan Mbeumo doubled the lead in the closing minutes of the first half.
Fernandes, whose assist moved him clear of Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s previous record, further celebrated being crowned Premier League player of the season by scoring the visitors’ third early in the second period.
Guardiola’s farewell dampened by defeat to Villa
Pep Guardiola was unable to sign off with one last victory as his glorious Manchester City reign ended in defeat to Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins scored twice as Villa came from behind to win 2-1 on a sweltering and emotional afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
Antoine Semenyo had put City ahead with his 11th goal since his January move from Bournemouth but the occasion was more about farewells than events on the pitch.
After 10 years and 20 trophies, Guardiola was taking charge of City for the 593rd and final time.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth missed out on a Champions League place after a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. They will have to settle for the Europa League alongside Sunderland, who beat 10-man Chelsea 2-1.
In the other games, relegated sides Burnley and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw and Fulham beat Newcastle 2-0.
