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. Two mainstays of his glittering reign, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, were also making their last appearances for the club.
The newly-expanded and renamed Pep Guardiola Stand fully open for the first time, the City fans among the stadium-record 60,332 crowd chanted for "10 more years" after the game got under way.
West Ham relegated despite win
West Ham’s final-day win over Leeds was too little too late as they slumped to relegation from the Premier League, due to Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Everton, thanks to Joao Palhinha’s strike. 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 finished two points above the Hammers, bringing an end West Ham’s 14-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.
Brighton settle for Conference League
Brighton were forced to settle for a place in the Conference League after Manchester United marked Michael Carrick’s first match as permanent manager with a thumping 3-0 success and a record for Bruno Fernandes. Albion began the final day in pole position for a Europa League place but with the potential to qualify for any of the three European competitions, or miss out altogether. 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. Brighton slipped to eighth place below Sunderland, who capitalised with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, who will be without European football under new manager Xabi Alonso next season. Trai Hume sent the Black Cats ahead in the 25th minute with a bottom-corner finish and they doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart through Malo Gusto’s own goal in a chaotic start to the second half. Cole Palmer pulled one back for Chelsea in the 56th minute, but just six minutes later the Blues were reduced to 10 when Wesley Fofana picked up a second yellow card.
Bournemouth miss Champions League
Bournemouth missed out on a Champions League place as Morgan Gibbs-White responded to being left out of England’s World Cup squad by scoring for Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw. Gibbs-White sent a message to Thomas Tuchel by netting a smart free-kick for his 15th league goal of the campaign, pointing to his chest and raising 10 fingers in celebration to let the England boss know what he will be missing in an attacking midfield role in this summer’s tournament.
Andoni Iraola was taking charge of his last match for Bournemouth and set his final mission to secure a place in the Champions League, but they fell agonisingly short. Marcus Tavernier’s second-half equaliser was not enough for the Cherries, who needed other results to go their way for a place in Europe’s premier club competition next season. Nevertheless, they finished the season on an 18-game unbeaten streak and secured Europa League football for the first time in their history to continue their remarkable rise up the football ladder.
Fulham win for Silva's possible farewell
Fulham gave Marco Silva a victory in what could be his final match in charge as Tom Cairney’s second-half wondergoal helped earn a 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle at Craven Cottage. The manager is due to meet with club hierarchy next week having promised he would make a decision after the season had concluded on whether to extend his five-year stay or to depart. Much could depend on whether, as expected, Benfica make an offer for him to replace Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho. After Issa Diop’s header after Kevin’s free-kick hit the bar got the ball rolling, Cairney gave the season a rollicking finale with a lovely strike for the second, but whether Silva stays or goes, Fulham go into the summer with much to reflect upon and regret.
Burnley avoid bottom spot
Burnley came from behind to make sure the ignominy of finishing bottom of the Premier League went to Wolves as the two relegated sides fought out a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. This was a battle for pride – plus around £2.6million extra in merit payments – and Rob Edwards’ side took an early lead through Adam Armstrong’s penalty. But interim Burnley coach Mike Jackson saw his team produce a spirited second-half display in which Zian Flemming equalised after the break.
