Just 72 hours after they defeated Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley, Wigan were beaten at the Emirates Stadium to join already relegated Reading and Queens Park Rangers in the second-tier next season. At half-time Wigan were still in the game, at 1-1 after Shaun Maloney’s equaliser from a free-kick. But two goals from Lukas Podolski and strikes from Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey secured Arsenal’s victory.
Alex Ferguson enjoyed an emotional farewell in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Swansea City, his last home game after more than 26 years in charge of the club. An 87th-minute goal by Rio Ferdinand gave United victory, after Javier Hernandez’s first-half strike was cancelled out in the second half by Swansea’s Michu.
Also on Sunday, Everton manager David Moyes watched his side win 2-0 over West Ham – his last game as Everton manager before he moves to Manchester United, with Kevin Mirallas scoring both goals.
Manchester City’s first match since they sacked manager Roberto Mancini ended in a 2-0 away win against Reading. Sergio Aguero bagged the first five minutes before the break and Edin Dzekoadded a second in the 88th minute.
Tottenham Hotspur secured a 2-1 win against Stoke on Sunday. Stoke had an early lead through Steven Nzonzi, but Tottenham levelled with a goal from Clint Dempsey and Emmanuel Adebayor scored the late decider.
Newcastle kept a place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers. An opportunist strike from Yoan Gouffran ended up being decisive, after Hatem Ben Arfa’s penalty had cancelled out an earlier spot-kick from Loic Remy.
Norwich also guaranteed their Premier League survival with a 4-0 win at home to West Bromwich. Robert Snodgrass opened the lead in the first half before goals from Grant Holt, Gareth McAuley, and Jonny Howson completed the scoreline.
On Saturday, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard became the team’s record goalscorer by scoring twice as the Blues came from behind to win 2-1 at Aston Villa. Lampard struck in the 61st minute to equal Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202 goals, putting the visitors level after Villa’s Christian Benteke opened the scoring, and his second goal two minutes from time sparked a minor pitch invasion by elated Blues fans.
Elsewhere, Daniel Sturridge hit a hat-trick as Liverpool won 3-1 at Fulham. Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, but their lead only lasted three minutes before Sturridge scored his first. Sturridge then scored a second near the hour mark, and another five minutes from time.
Away to Sunderland, Jason Puncheon’s late strike gave Southampton a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light. Phil Bardsley put Sunderland in the lead midway through the second half, but Puncheon equalised with 14 minutes remaining.
In The Phuket News tipping competion: with just one round of games left, Suncat100 on 708 points now looks unassailable, despite a dedicated fight-back from challengers diggersd and mickyleeds. But the last monthly prize is still in play: zedi44 currently has the lead, on 58 points.
The May 2013 competition is sponsored by Australia Bar & Grill in Kata, and the monthly winner will receive a B3,000 voucher to spend at the venue. The winner at the end of the season will win a brand new Honda Scoopy courtesy of AP Honda.
Tom's tips Week 40
Chelsea v Everton Win
Liverpool v QPR Win
Man City v Norwich Win
Newcastle v Arsenal Lose
Southampton v Stoke Win
Swansea v Fulham Draw
Tottenham v Sunderland Win
West Brom v Man United Lose
West Ham v Reading Win
Wigan v Aston Villa Win