Arsenal needed three points to guarantee a spot in next season’s Champions League qualification rounds ahead of north London rivals Tottenham, and Laurent Koscielny’s second-half strike ensured they did.
Koscielny’s goal meant more heartache for Spurs, who once again had to settle for a place in the Europa League that comes with finishing fifth, despite their 1-0 win against Sunderland. Spurs had struggled to break down Sunderland until the closing moments, and finally took the lead when Gareth Bale scored the 90th minute.
Elsewhere, Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United for the 1,500th and final time before retiring and the 71-year-old Scot, given a guard of honour before kick-off, looked set to bow out with a win as the Premier League champions romped into a 5-2 lead.
But Albion provided an incredible finale that spoiled Ferguson’s farewell, as Romelu Lukaku and Youssouf Mulumbu both scored in the space of 60 seconds in the 81st minute, before Lukaku completed his hat-trick to equalise in the 86th minute.
Ferguson saluted United’s fans at the final whistle, but refused to speak to the media and, stopping only to describe the occasion as “emotional, very emotional”, he headed off into retirement after sharing a glass of red wine with Albion manager Steve Clarke.
Ferguson will be succeeded at Old Trafford by Everton manager David Moyes, who saw his team beaten 2-1 at third-placed Chelsea in his farewell after an 11-year reign.
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata slotted home in the seventh minute. Steven Naismith equalised for Everton seven minutes later, but Fernando Torres struck the winner in the 76th minute.
Chelsea’s interim manager Rafael Benitez, who masterminded the team’s Europa League final victory over Benfica in Amsterdam in midweek, was also saying goodbye, with Jose Mourinho reportedly lined up to return to west London once he quits Real Madrid.
On a day of emotional farewells, Jamie Carragher captained Liverpool on his 737th and final appearance for the club, a 1-0 win over already-relegated QPR at Anfield.
Carragher hit a post in the second half, but Philippe Coutinho got the only goal, lashing home from long-range in the 23rd minute.
Manager-less Manchester City, already guaranteed to finish second, were beaten 3-2 at home by Norwich.
Stoke striker Michael Owen made a 16-minute cameo appearance before his retirement in his team’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.
FA Cup winners Wigan, already relegated, drew 2-2 with Aston Villa, while second bottom Reading lost 4-2 at West Ham and Fulham won 3-0 at Swansea.
In The Phuket News tipping competition: congratulations to Suncat100, who ends the season on top of the overall standings after maintaining a commanding lead for many months, although closest challenger diggersd made a valiant sprint for the finish.
Suncat100 wins a brand new Honda Scoopy courtesy of AP Honda. Congratulations, too, to the final monthly winner zedi44, who wins a B3,000 voucher from the Australia Bar and Grill in Kata.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. suncat100 723
2. diggersd 697
3. mickyleeds 686
4. alanphuket 684
5. scottkip 682
6. fazza 669
7. Blackrosebar 663
8. toptipster 657
9. NEIL 654
10. Kathu Bandit 649
MAY STANDINGS
1. zedi44 90
2. Damian 78
3. pickledliverbar 78
4. Clare Bolzon 75
5. mickyleeds 70
6. NEIL 70
7. alanphuket 67
8. jeltanic 67
9. jigdellasoul 67
10. Kathu Bandit 67