Manchester United and Chelsea secured places in the Champions League with victories on the last day of the Premier League season, while Watford and Bournemouth were relegated along with inferior club Norwich City.
Aston Villa survived the fall thanks to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United that moved them to 35 points, one more than Bournemouth, which fell despite a 3-1 win at Everton, and Watford who lost 3-2 at Arsenal.
A penalty from Bruno Fernandes and a late goal from Jesse Lingard gave United a 2-0 victory at Leicester City, who missed the Champions League by finishing fifth and will have to settle for a place in the Europa League.
Chelsea finished fourth after a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Olivier Giroud.
José Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur, who tied 1-1 at Crystal Palace, is also in the Europa League after finishing sixth.
It was a nervous display by United against an injury-ravaged Leicester, but they finished the campaign unbeaten in 14 Premier League games and with their mission to regain a place in the Champions League.
The draws against Southampton and West Ham had left United needing at least one point at King Power Stadium and, although they looked tired again in a nervous display, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s team did the job.
Fernandes, who was central to United’s promotion in the second half of the season, put United in the lead in the 71st minute after Anthony Martial was knocked down in the box.
NO GUARD GOAL
The victory closed when substitute Lingard stole Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel from the edge of the box and slipped into the goal unattended.
“We seemed a little tired and leggy, I think everyone could see. It wasn’t a classic, “said Solskjaer, who will now expect the club to back him in the transfer market.
“The club knows what I feel we need and we will try to achieve it and see where we end up,” added the Norwegian.
Chelsea also needed just one point at Stamford Bridge to secure a spot in Europe’s top club competition and a wonderful free kick from Mount and Giroud’s safe end put two goals at halftime – an advantage the Wolves never threatened. with damaging.
However, there was tension in the background, with Villa taking the lead at West Ham thanks to Jack Grealish in the 84th minute, but the hosts responded quickly through Andriy Yarmolenko, leaving Dean Smith eagerly awaiting Watford’s result.
Watford had been 3-0 down at Arsenal, but a penalty from Troy Deeney and Danny Welbeck’s goal gave the Hornets hope.
However, it was not for the club that he fired manager Nigel Pearson with two games remaining.
“This is a reflection of the whole year. It hasn’t been good enough, “said Captain Deeney.
“It is heartbreaking for people who work behind the scenes and we feel sorry for them. As a club and as a community we will be back. Ultimately, we have not been good enough, there is no point dancing around him, “he added.
Watford’s disappearance ensured the survival of Villa, who won promotion last term.
“I am happy, proud and all the adjectives that go with it. A lot of people relegated us but we have worked very hard,” said Smith.
Bournemouth needed to win and wait for other results, and their 3-1 victory at Goodison Park was not enough to save Eddie Howe’s team from an end to their five-year stint in the top flight.
“It is a sad and painful feeling for me in my heart. It is difficult when you feel like you have disappointed people,” said Howe, who had taken the team from the fourth level to the highest level.
The Liverpool champions completed their excellent season with a 3-1 victory at Newcastle United to finish with 99 points, 18 ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who crushed Norwich 5-0.
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