Tottenham pulled off Premier League survival on a dramatic final day, consigning West Ham to relegation after a 14-year run in the top flight.
Spurs opened their campaign at home to Everton knowing that, in practical terms, a draw would be enough to stay up. They entered the fixture two points clear of the Hammers and held a superior goal difference, giving them the kind of cushion that makes pressure feel manageable.
Spurs’ escape route
- Tottenham secured Premier League survival on the final day.
- Spurs faced Everton and effectively needed only a draw to avoid relegation.
- Joao Palhinha scored just before half-time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- West Ham were relegated despite their result against Leeds.
- Valentin Castellanos scored for West Ham in the second half.
- Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson added goals for West Ham, but it was too late.
Joao Palhinha released the tension at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just before the interval, following up after his header struck a post and found its way in. The Portuguese midfielder was quickly surrounded by team-mates as head coach Roberto De Zerbi sprinted along the touchline to join the celebrations, while supporters soaked up the moment in London sunshine.
With that strike giving Spurs breathing room, Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham were still locked at 0-0 with Leeds at the time, leaving them needing results to swing their way even if they later managed to win. A few miles away, at the London Stadium, Valentin Castellanos injected belief midway through the second half by firing the Irons into the lead.
Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson then extended West Ham’s advantage to 3-0 by the final whistle, but it still proved insufficient. Spurs, meanwhile, held their nerve and claimed the points they needed, ensuring survival was sealed on the day it mattered.
De Zerbi has overseen a noticeable lift in Spurs’ form in recent weeks, with the Italian arriving in late March as the club’s third manager of the season. Avoiding relegation carried extra weight for Tottenham financially, with the club described as the ninth-richest in the world and having lifted the Europa League last season under former boss Ange Postecoglou.
West Ham, who earned promotion to the top division in 2012, will return to the Championship next season alongside Burnley and Wolves.
Guardiola’s farewell and Villa’s celebrations
- Pep Guardiola left Manchester City at the Etihad after 10 years.
- Aston Villa were the visitors for Guardiola’s final match as City boss.
- Guardiola confirmed his exit after six Premier League titles and a Champions League.
- Small banners also marked departures of John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
- Antoine Semenyo scored first for the home side, but Ollie Watkins netted twice for Villa.
Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola walked out at the Etihad for the final time as Manchester City manager, with Aston Villa—newly crowned Europa League winners—making the trip. On Friday, the Catalan confirmed he would depart after a decade in charge, bringing with him a haul that includes six Premier League crowns and a Champions League trophy.
A large banner unfurled above the crowd featuring a giant image of Guardiola, carrying the words “Game Changer” and “History Maker”. Additional tributes were displayed to acknowledge the departures of long-serving defender John Stones and midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Villa’s match story turned on Ollie Watkins, who scored twice to secure fourth place in the table after Antoine Semenyo had put the home side ahead. Watkins’ success came after he was named this week in England’s World Cup squad.
Salah and Robertson’s Anfield goodbye
- Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson marked their farewell at Anfield.
- Salah, aged 33, had recently criticised the club’s style as “heavy metal football”.
- Arne Slot included Salah and Robertson in the starting line-up.
- Liverpool drew 1-1, finishing fifth in the Premier League.
On a day defined by farewells across the league, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson enjoyed a celebratory atmosphere at Anfield as they brought their time at the club to a close. Just a week earlier, Salah—at 33—had taken aim at the way the team was playing, urging a return to the “heavy metal football” associated with the era of former manager Jurgen Klopp.
However, Arne Slot handed the “Egyptian King” a start, with Robertson—Scotland’s defender—also included in the starting XI. Banners in the crowd recognized both players, including messages reading “Thank you legends” and “We Have Gone From Great To Glory. Salah Is Our King”.
A 1-1 draw left Liverpool in fifth place, a sharp drop following last season’s Premier League title triumph.
Chelsea, Selhurst Park and European places
- Chelsea, reduced to ten men, lost 2-1 at Sunderland.
- Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson received tributes at Anfield.
- Sunderland and Bournemouth qualified for the Europa League.
- Brighton will play in the UEFA Conference League.
- Arsenal made nine changes ahead of the Champions League final vs Paris Saint-Germain.
- Crystal Palace staged a guard of honour for Arsenal after the title.
Ten-man Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, ensuring that the incoming head coach Xabi Alonso will not have European football to manage when he takes over next season. Sunderland and Bournemouth booked Europa League places, while Brighton will compete in the UEFA Conference League.
There was also a party feel at Selhurst Park, where Arsenal—champions—rested heavily with nine changes ahead of next week’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Crystal Palace players formed a guard of honour for Mikel Arteta’s team before kick-off as a mark of respect following Arsenal’s Premier League triumph.
The Gunners had lifted their first English league title since 2004 earlier this week after Manchester City were held to a draw at Bournemouth. Arsenal also secured the right to celebrate as they had beaten Conference League finalists Palace 2-1 in their earlier meeting.
On the south coast, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes set a new outright Premier League record for assists in a single season, reaching 21 as he teed up Patrick Dorgu’s goal during a 3-0 win at Brighton.
