That’s it. After 380 matches. A record 1,246 goals. It’s all over. With a lot to play for still in
the Premier League, we recap the final 34 matches in May.
Tottenham’s downward spiral continued in their chase for Champions League football as
they lost 2-0 to Chelsea, who have come into their best form of the season in their last gasp
quest for European football. Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Trevor Chalobah secured The
Blues’ victory at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Luton missed the chance to get out of the
relegation zone as they could only draw 1-1 with Everton. Saka, Trossard and Rice netted for
Arsenal as their title charge continued to the wire.
Brentford and Fulham drew a stalemate in London whilst Brighton secured a 1-0 victory of
European chasing Aston Villa courtesy of a tap-in from Joao Pedro. Newcastle thrashed
Burnley 4-1 with goals from Wilson, Longstaff, Bruno and Isak all but ensuring the clarets’ go
down to the Championship. Notts Forest beat Sheffield United 3-1, with the latter conceding
their 100 th goal of the season; equalling the record set by Swindon back in 1993/94.
Manchester City continued in sixth gear as they hit five past Wolves, including four goals
from Haaland. Chelsea also netted five goals against West Ham; Hammers’ striker Bowen hit
the woodwork three times in that match. Liverpool beat Spurs 4-2 at Anfield with Salah,
Robertson, Gakpo and Elliott all netting before Spurs responded late on.
Crystal Palace thrashed Manchester United 4-0 as they secured their first ever league
double over them with a brace from Olise and goals from Mateta and Mitchell. Gvardiol
netted twie with Foden and Alvarez also on the scoresheet in Manchester City’s 4-0 win
over Fulham. Brentford beat Bournemouth 2-1 with Solanke seeing two goals chalked off by
VAR. Everton’s Doucoure scored in their 1-0 win over already relegated Sheffield United. A
first half stoppage timed goal from Sean Longstaff secured a 1-1 draw for Newcastle against
Brighton; ensuring that they scored in every game at St James Park for the first time since
1958/59. Antony Gordon thought he’d scored a winner but it was ruled out for offside.
A second relegation was confirmed as Burnley lost 2-1 against Tottenham whilst Luton were
on the brink of following them as they lost 3-1 to West Ham. Crystal Palace continued their
fine end to the season under Oliver Glasner as they won 3-1 over Wolves. An end-to-end
game between Notts Forest and Chelsea finished 3-2 to the latter with Sterling and Jackson
on the scoresheet late on to turn the result in their favour. Arsenal beat Manchester United
1-0 with Trossard on the score sheet in a game where there was not much to talk about.
Aston Villa all but confirmed Champions League football next season as they drew 3-3 with
Liverpool. With Hollywood star Tom Hanks in attendance, Villa took the lead early on via
Tielemans before Liverpool went 3-1 up courtesy of a Martinez howler, Gakpo and Quansah.
Villa’s Duran netted twice on the stroke of injury time with the equaliser coming from his
knee after deflecting the ball into the goal from Diaby’s initial shot.
Villa’s European fate was sealed as Tottenham lost 2-0 to Manchester City heading into the
final round of the season. Chelsea won 2-1 against Brighton with Reece James seeing red in
only his second appearance since returning from injury. Manchester United beat Newcastle
3-2 at Old Trafford.
Arsenal’s chances of winning the title were already slim before kick-off, but were more so
shortly in the game as Everton took the lead via Gueye. The Gunners’ responded with
Tomiyasu and Havertz getting on the scoresheet to ensure they ended the season on a high.
Newcastle United beat Brentford 4-2 whilst Manchester United beat Brighton 2-0 in De
Zerbi’s last game in charge of the home side; where he’s off to next remains to be seen.
Notts Forest ended a disappointing season for them with a 2-1 win over Burnley,
mathematically ensuring top flight football for them next season.
Chelsea beat Bournemouth 2-1 with a first goal in blue for Caicedo scored in style from just
outside his half. Palace finished their season strongly with a 5-0 battering of Aston Villa via
hat-trick from Mateta and a brace from Eze. In Jurgen Klopps’ last match in charge,
Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners over Wolves with goals from MacAllister and Quansah.
Fulham confirmed Luton’s relegation with a 4-2 win over them.
Manchester City confirmed their fourth successive title with a 3-1 win over West Ham. Phil
Foden scored his 26 th goal of the season whilst Rodri also netted. Kudus scored a wonderful
overhead kick for West Ham before Soucek’s late goal could have made the game more
interesting but was rightfully ruled out for handball. Tottenham confirmed Europa League
football with a 3-0 win over Sheffield United thanks to goals from Kulusevski and Pedro
Porro.
So after 10 months, the season is over. For only the second time in history, the three teams
promoted from the Championship make an immediate return with Luton, Burnley and
Sheffield United all failing to make the cut in the top flight. Despite points deductions for
Everton and Notts Forest they both made an escape from relegation, but both will need to
make sales to continue to comply with profit and sustainability rules.
In what was a thrilling title race for the entire season, it was Manchester City that lifted the
trophy for a record fourth consecutive time. Arsenal continued to improve under Arteta and
will continue to do so next season with a few fine tuning transfers. Liverpool and Aston Villa
were the other two teams to secure Champions League football whilst Tottenham return to
continental action with Europa Football. Chelsea are also in Europa League action unless
Manchester United win the FA Cup against City. If City win, Newcastle will play Europa
Conference football but if not then that place will go to Chelsea.
And breathe…
Now what do we do with our weekends? There’s still the FA Cup to be decided and the
European finals before England fly to Germany for Euro 2024. Is it coming home?
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