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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Rob Smyth (earlier) and Alex Hess

Premier League: Man City lift trophy, Liverpool and Chelsea in top four – as it happened

It’s official: Manchester City are champions.
It’s official: Manchester City are champions. Photograph: Peter Powell/Reuters

We’re going to wrap up the blog now, after a dramatic, emotional day that summed up a unique Premier League season. On behalf of everyone at Guardian sport, thanks for your company and emails throughout. Please join us for the next live football, in just over half an hour’s time. Goodnight!

There’s one last bit of business at the Etihad: saying goodbye to a goalscoring wizard. Sergio Aguero strolls onto the field, Premier League trophy in hand, to be greeted by a rendition of Martin Tyler’s famous commentary by .... Martin Tyler. That was a bit odd, especially as half the microphones aren’t working.

Not that it matters - every City fan will have the real thing in their mind’s ear for the rest of their days.

Updated

More from Pep

“We suffered a lot in the first months of the season. But when we won at Stamford Bridge, we realised that we still weren’t far away from the top of the league. The way we played there, with just 14 players, we realised [sticks his chest out], ‘Oh, okay, we are still here!’ People said we had no chance. We were ninth in December, but then we won all the games in all competitions until we lost here to United in March. That’s when we won the league.

“[Did you signing a contract extension in November make a difference to the players?] I don’t know. Maybe the players realised that ... this fucking manager will stay the next year, so okay, we need to keep running, keep fighting.

“The Champions League final is a dream come true for this club. We have never been there before. We are going to give everything and of course we want to win. It’s not enough just being there. [Turns round to look at the players]. It’s in their legs, it depends on them.”

An emotional Pep speaks

“We are lucky to have people here when we lift the trophy - it is not a full stadium but there is enough noise for us to enjoy it with them. It feels completely different, it’s much better. Every title is nice. This one is different because of the pandemic and the problems that every one of us have had. That’s what makes it special.

“We love Sergio so much. He’s a special person for all of us. [Choking up] He’s so nice, he’s so nice. He helped me a lot... [Tries to speak and nothing comes out]. We cannot replace him, we cannot. There are many players, like Joe Hart and David Silva [and Sergio], that made this club what it is. He showed his quality in 20 minutes!”

Updated

Pep Guardiola has joined the Sky team for a chat

“Slip inside the eye of your mind, don’t you know you might find, a better place to play. You said that you’d never been, but all the things that you’ve seen slowly fade away.”

This is how it feels to be City (2021 version)

Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, who came off at half-time, damaged his ribs when he collided with the post. Thomas Tuchel says they will have a better idea tomorrow whether he’s likely to be fit for the Champions League final.

Cheers Alex. Here’s a match report.

… and back to Rob

Agüero speaks: “It’s my last game but I’m so happy. I have to thank my teammates. The firs title for me was the most important for the club. It’s not easy spend so long at a top club so for me it’s an honour.”

He won’t be drawn on where he’s off to next.

Inevitably some hellish EDM is blasted through the tannoy. Pep looks bemused.

And last to join the squad is captain Fernandinho, who is handed the trophy and duly hoists it skywards. Merry chaos ensues, before the players file over to the edge of the pitch to soak up the acclaim of enamoured fans. Actual fans! Great stuff.

A beaming Sergio Aguero is given a hero’s ovation as he marches up to collect his medal. His legacy has been documented by the esteemed Will Unwin here:

One of the true surprises of the season was that Pep Guardiola’s latest winning machine should be built on a broad-shouldered, no-nonsense centre-half. Ruben Dias was deservedly the FWA player of the year and he steps on to the podium at the Etihad after receiving his title-winner’s medal. His teammates gather, as the big moment awaits…

Well well well. This most unpredictable of seasons has ended with…

  • The four richest clubs taking the top four places!
  • Harry Kane getting the golden boot!
  • A late-season collapse from Leicester!
  • Mourinho sacked by his club after setting the house on fire!

Whatever next?

I’m going to take a quick break, for reasons that are hopefully self-explanatory, but Alex Hess will take over for City’s title presentation.

Updated

Ilkay Gundogan finishes as City’s top scorer with 13 league goals. His contribution will probably be forgotten, but he woke City from their slumber with that spectacular burst of scoring after Christmas. They were ninth just before Christmas, and then they won 15 games in a row. That awesome first half at Chelsea on 3 January was when everything started to change,

West Ham 3-0 Southampton

Gareth Bale says he has decided where he wants to play this season, but won’t wsay anything until after the Euros because “it will cause chaos”.

Leicester 2-4 Spurs A tearful Youri Tielemans receives Leicester’s player of the year award. The retiring Wes Morgan was given a guard of honour just before that. The circumstances meant he couldn’t get on today, but he had his moment with the last kick at Wembley last week.

There are some emotional farewells taking place. Harry Kane is hugging his Spurs teammates, and had a particularly long embrace with his footballing BFF Son Heung-min. Gini Wijnaldum received a lovely guard of honour at Anfield, which confirms he is leaving the club. And Sergio Aguero will soon join the Manchester City players on a lap of honour.

He’s leaving, isn’t he?
He’s leaving, isn’t he? Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Updated

‘Who writes your scripts?’ department

Updated

The decisive moment of a dramatic final day was Kasper Schmeichel’s strange own goal. It knocked Leicester out of the Champions League places and gave Spurs fresh impetus to get the win they needed to stay above Arsenal and qualify for the Europa Conference. Any other business?

  • Liverpool recovered from a nervy start to win comfortably against Palace
  • West Ham strolled into the Europa League with a 3-0 win over Southampton
  • Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score twice, just as on his debut a decade ago
  • Lovely, lovely Leeds finished ninth of their return the Premier League
  • Everton, who had some great results earlier in the season, ended up in 10th
  • Man Utd went the whole season unbeaten away from home, apparently with the aid of a Mike Dean penalty special
  • Joe Willock scored for the seventh game in a row
  • Some other stuff I’ve forgotten

Here’s the final league table. It wasn’t a classic season, it was never going to be in the circumstances, but it provided all sorts of entertainment.

Updated

The final scores

  • Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
  • Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
  • Fulham 0-2 Newcastle
  • Leeds 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester 2-4 Tottenham
  • Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City 5-0 Everton
  • Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley
  • West Ham 3-0 Southampton
  • Wolves 1-2 Man Utd

Updated

The 2020-21 Premier League season is over!

And here’s how the dust has settled

  • Champions Manchester City
  • Champions League City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea
  • Europa League Leicester, West Ham
  • Europa Conference Tottenham Hotspur
  • Relegated Fulham, West Brom, Sheff Utd
  • Golden Boot Harry Kane
  • Golden Glove Ederson
  • Golden Whatever You Get For Assists Harry Kane (it says here)
  • Golden Red Card Lewis Dunk

Leicester 2-4 Tottenham This will haunt Leicester, who have lost five of their last eight league games to miss out on the Champions League again. It’s still been a glorious season - last Saturday saw to that - and we shouldn’t forget that they have had the worst run of injuries in the league.

GOAL! Leicester 2-4 Spurs (Bale 90+6)

Gareth Bale finishes Leicester and Arsenal off! He dances through a weary defence, plays an inadvertent one-two off the far post and taps in from two yards.

Marc Albrighton’s face says it all for Leicester City as they fail to qualify for the Champion’s League.
Marc Albrighton’s face says it all for Leicester City as they fail to qualify for the Champion’s League. Photograph: Mike Egerton/EPA
Gareth Bale finishes off the Foxes.
Gareth Bale finishes off the Foxes. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/PA

Updated

Full time: West Ham 3-0 Southampton

This is what he does; he wins.

It’s Europe for West Ham.
It’s Europe for West Ham. Photograph: Kieran McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea: Azpilicueta sent off!

The man who could start a row in an empty room now has the opportunity to do so: he will have a few minutes alone in the dressing-room after being given a straight red for an elbow on Jack Grealish.

GOALS! Leeds 3-1 West Brom (Robson-Kanu 90); West Ham 3-0 Southampton (Rice 86)

Updated

90 min Five minutes of added time. As if a team could score twice in injury time, etc, etc.

90 min Lloris makes a desperate save on the line, though it wouldn’t have counted as Iheanacho was offside.

GOAL! Fulham 0-2 Newcastle (Schar 88 pen)

He’s done it!

Goal for Newcastle!
Goal for Newcastle! Photograph: Glyn Kirk/Reuters

Updated

That Bale goal means Chelsea are going into the Champions League - and Spurs are now back in seventh, above Arsenal.

GOAL GIVEN! Leicester 2-3 Spurs

VAR have decided there was enough time between the handball and the goal. That’s a pretty controversial decision, about which we’re going to hear plenty.

Gareth Bale puts Spurs ahead.
Gareth Bale puts Spurs ahead. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/EPA

Updated

Leicester are appealing for a handball by Kane in the build up, and they have a case. I think this will be disallowed. The ball hit Kane’s hand just before then he went round Schmeichel and teed up Bale to score with a crisp shot from the edge of the area.

Updated

GOAL! Leicester 2-3 Spurs (Bale 87)

The substitute Gareth Bale gives Spurs the lead, VAR permitting!

The latest scores, probably

  • Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
  • Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
  • Fulham 0-1 Newcastle
  • Leeds 3-0 West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester 2-2 Tottenham
  • Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City 5-0 Everton
  • Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley
  • West Ham 2-0 Southampton
  • Wolves 1-2 Man Utd

As it stands

Champions League Liverpool, Chelsea

Europa League Leicester, West Ham

Europa Conference Arsenal

But a goal for either Leicester or Spurs at the King Power Stadium would change everything.

As it stands

I haven’t a clue.

Leicester 2-2 Tottenham Leicester are hanging on desperately to a draw they don’t even need. Nampalys Mendy misjudges a defensive diving header and ends up chesting the ball just wide of his own goal.

Updated

Liverpool 2-0 Palace Gini Wijnaldum comes off at Anfield, and waves to the fans in a manner that suggests he will do one in the summer.

GOAL! Man City 5-0 Everton (Aguero 76)

Sergio Aguero started at City by coming off the bench to score twice, and he’s going to finish the same way - unless he upgrades it to a fairytale hat-trick.

GOAL! Leeds 3-0 West Brom (Bamford 79 pen)

Patrick Bamford comes off the bench to score his 17th Premier League goal.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace (Mane 74)

Sadio Mane gets his second, and Liverpool will play in the Champions League next season!

Sadio Mane doubles Liverpool’s lead.
Sadio Mane doubles Liverpool’s lead. Photograph: Paul Ellis/PA

Updated

Leicester 2-2 Tottenham As things stand, a draw is useless to both Leicester and Spurs, which could mean all kinds of fun and games in the last 10 minutes.

Man City 4-0 Everton Aguero’s goal was lovely, flicked nonchalantly past Pickford with the outside of the foot.

GOAL! Leicester 2-2 Spurs (Schmeichel og 77)

A dreadful mistake from Kasper Schmeichel, of all people, has put Chelsea back in the top four! He came for a corner, mistimed his leap and punched the ball into his own net!

Disaster for Leicester as Tottenham equalise.
Disaster for Leicester as Tottenham equalise. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Man City 4-0 Everton (Yep 71)

The public gets what the public wants: it took Sergio Aguero just six minutes to score on his final Premier League appearance. Meanwhile...

Aguerooooooo!
Aguerooooooo! Photograph: Carl Recine/PA

Updated

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea (Chilwell 70)

Another twist! Ben Chilwell gives Chelsea a sniff of the Champions League, pulling one back from Pulisic’s cross.

Well that’s ruined my Christmas.

72 min: Leicester 2-1 Spurs Leicester look reasonably comfortable, as much as it’s possible to be in the circumstances. They are 18 minutes away from their own version of the double - Champions League qualification and FA Cup glory. Spurs, who need a goal, have brought on Lucas Moura and Gareth Bale.

West Ham 2-0 Southampton Nothing much to report from the London Stadium, where West Ham are enjoying a stress-free stroll into the Europa League. Nobody is sneering at David Moyes now.

Top goalscorer + top goalmaker department

Jazi Zilber points out that Lionel Messi did this in 2019-20, and probably in the previous ten seasons as well.

Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea A draw is no use to Chelsea, who need three in the last 20 minutes at Villa Park, or an equaliser for Spurs.

As it stands

Champions League Liverpool, Leicester

Europa League Chelsea, West Ham

Europa Conference Arsenal

Man City 3-0 Everton Pep Guardiola, sentimental to the last, finally brings Sergio Aguero on for his final appearance at the Etihad.

Updated

The latest scores

  • Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
  • Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea
  • Fulham 0-1 Newcastle
  • Leeds 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester 2-1 Tottenham
  • Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City 3-0 Everton
  • Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley
  • West Ham 2-0 Southampton
  • Wolves 1-2 Man Utd

Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea The 2020-21 Premier League season has officially moved beyond satire: Timo Werner has had a goal disallowed for offside.

Updated

Not at all - it would be an extraordinary achievement, and a neat reward for his development into a hybrid of No9 and No10. I think Thierry Henry, the ultimate scorer/creator, did it in 2004-05 but I can’t think of any other examples.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Brighton (Pepe 60)

Another one for the increasingly brilliant Nicolas Pepe. That should - should - mean that Arsenal will qualify for Europe unless Spurs get an equaliser at Leicester.

Another goal for Arsenal and Nicolas Pepe.
Another goal for Arsenal and Nicolas Pepe. Photograph: Alastair Grant/Reuters

Updated

Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea Thomas Tuchel is fuming, apparently because he things Anwar El Ghazi touched the ball twice when he scored that penalty. I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING.

As it stands

Champions League Liverpool, Leicester

Europa League Chelsea, West Ham

Europa Conference Arsenal

I’m going to concentrate on Leicester v Spurs, which is currently the most important game in the race for both the Champions League and the Europa Conference.

Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea It’s not all over for Chelsea. Spurs desperately need an equaliser to qualify for Europe themselves; if they get it, Chelsea will move back into fourth. That said, goal difference is almost becoming a consideration - if Leicester draw and Chelsea lose by four, Leicester will finish above them.

GOAL! Man City 3-0 Everton (Foden 54)

The champions are putting on a show for the returning fans. Phil Foden, who has come of age spectacularly in the last six months, puts them 3-0 up with another lovely goal.

Phil Foden scores the third for City.
Phil Foden scores the third for City. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

Updated

If it stays like this, Chelsea will need to beat City next weekend to qualify for the Champions League, never mind win it.

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea (El Ghazi 52 pen)

Anwar El Ghazi sends Kepa the wrong way, and Chelsea are in all sorts!

Anwar El Ghazi slips but manages to score past Kepa to put Aston Villa two goals up.
Anwar El Ghazi slips but manages to score past Kepa to put Aston Villa two goals up. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/AP

Updated

PENALTY TO ASTON VILLA! Jorginho, who has already been booked, is penalised for a challenge on Traore. It looked pretty soft, a very modern penalty, but I can’t see this being overturned.

Penalty to Aston Villa!
Penalty to Aston Villa! Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Reuters

Updated

Leicester 2-1 Spurs I’d like to see that Leicester penalty again. It was debatable, but Anthony Taylor gave it and VAR decided - rightly I think - that it wasn’t a clear and obvious error.

GOAL! Leicester 2-1 Spurs (Vardy 52 pen)

Vardy scores his second penalty to put Leicester back into the top four!

Jamie Vardy tucks away his second penalty as Leicester lead.
Jamie Vardy tucks away his second penalty as Leicester lead. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Reuters

Updated

Another VAR check for a Leicester penalty! This time it was Sanchez on Vardy. It’s been given!

Updated

Kepa is coming on at half-time for Chelsea. Edouard Mendy collided with the post when trying to stop Bertrand Traore’s goal just before half-time. That’s a bit of a worry with the Champions League seven days away. Maybe Kepa will play in a final against City win the penalty shootout this time.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (Pepe 49)

The in-form Nicolas Pepe has put Arsenal ahead - and above Spurs in the table! As things etc, they are going into the Europa Conference League.

Conference-bound? Pepe scores for Arsenal.
Conference-bound? Pepe scores for Arsenal. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters

Updated

“All looking good so far,” says Liverpool fan Matt Dony. “I’ll remain confident, as long as Palace don’t bring on Dwight Gayle.”

The European places, as things stand

  • Champions League Liverpool, Chelsea
  • Europa League Leicester, West Ham
  • Europa Conference Tottenham

[Smyth, if you say ‘as things stand’ one more time, I’ll put this boot right up your league table! – Ed]

The half-time scores

Good old Arsenal.

  • Arsenal 0-0 Brighton
  • Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea
  • Fulham 0-1 Newcastle
  • Leeds 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester 1-1 Tottenham
  • Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City 2-0 Everton
  • Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley
  • West Ham 2-0 Southampton
  • Wolves 1-2 Man Utd

GOAL! Wolves 1-2 Man Utd (Mata 45+4 pen)

Juan Mata, who is probably playing his final Premier League game, puts Manchester United back in front from the penalty spot. It won’t make headlines, and nor should it in the circumstances, but they are 45 minutes away from becoming only the fourth team in English top-flight history to go a whole season unbeaten away from home. The others, as you probably know, were Preston 1888-89, Arsenal 2001-02 and Arsenal 2003-04. We focus so much on the Invincible season that it’s easy to forget Arsenal were also unbeaten away from home two years earlier. To do that twice in three seasons is staggering.

Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea That Traore goal sparked a collective loss of noggin from Chelsea, with Jorginho and Werner booked. They need half-time.

Kane 23, Salah 22

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea (Traore 43)

Hello! Bertrand Traore, once of Chelsea, has put Villa ahead from a training-ground corner with Matt Targett. Chelsea stay fourth, ahead of Leicester on goal difference, but they will be extremely vulnerable if Leicester find a way to beat Spurs.

A big goal at Villa park as Bertrand Traore puts the home side ahead.
A big goal at Villa park as Bertrand Traore puts the home side ahead. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Reuters

Updated

Leicester 1-1 Spurs That Kane goal doesn’t change Spurs’ position, but it does mean Chelsea move back into the top four ahead of Leicester.

As it stands

  • Champions League Liverpool, Chelsea
  • Europa League Leicester, West Ham
  • Europa Conference Tottenham

Liverpool 1-0 Palace Liverpool’s centre-backs are in the wars, with Rhys Williams now off the field receiving treatment for a head injury.

GOAL! Leeds 2-0 West Brom (Phillips 42)

Kalvin Phillips has put Leeds two up.

GOAL! Leicester 1-1 Spurs (Kane 41)

Harry Kane slams a volley under Kasper Schmeichel to bring Spurs level - and take the lead in the Golden Boot stakes. Thta was a brilliant finish. He was only 10 yards out but the ball was dropping very awkwardly. Kane ran round it, away from goal, and twisted his foot to wallop it into the net.

Kane smashes it home.
Kane smashes it home. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Reuters
Harry Kane equalises for Spurs!
Harry Kane equalises for Spurs! Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Man Utd (Semedo 39)

Nelson Semedo equalises for Wolves!

Liverpool 1-0 Palace Ah no, it’s definitely Mane’s goal. Robertson’s corner was flicked on at the near post by Williams (I think). Firmino miscontrolled it but it ran for Mane to scoop over Guaita from close range.

EDERSON SAVES SIGURDSSON'S PENALTY!

Man City 2-0 Everton City stay two goals clear after a crowd-pleasing save from Ederson.

Liverpool 1-0 Palace On reflection, that might have been an own goal, not that Liverpool will care either way.

“How do you reckon Aston Villa assistant manager John Terry would feel about doing his part to deny Chelsea a top four spot?” wonders Peter Oh. “Might he be goading on his players just ever so slightly less enthusiastically than usual?”

I hadn’t really thought about that. To be honest, I was just glad to see the 26th minute pass without Terry springing to his feet in preparation for a guard of honour.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace (Mane 36)

It’s been coming, and now it’s here! Sadio Mane taps in from close range to put Liverpool ahead - and back in the top four. Chelsea are now fifth.

Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the opening goal at Anfield.
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the opening goal at Anfield. Photograph: Paul Ellis/Reuters
Goal for Liverpool!
Goal for Liverpool! Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! West Ham 2-0 Southampton (Fornals 33)

Two for West Ham, two for Pablo Fornals! He doesn’t score enough goals but he’s picked a helluva time to bang two in four minutes.

Two goals for Pablo Fornals.
Two goals for Pablo Fornals. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AP

Updated

“Townsend’s break has given me the jitters but Alisson’s ‘divine intervention’ has clearly shown that higher forces are at work and Liverpool, despite everything, are destined to make the top four,” says Colum Fordham. “Plenty of chances for the Reds. One or two of them are bound to go in. Surely? Please?”

You’ll be fine. I said from day one that Liverpool would win the league by 10+ points and I see no reason to change my mind now.

Liverpool 0-0 Palace Sadio Mane misses a decent chance, sweeping high and wide from 15 yards. Liverpool are well on top now, though they are still in fifth place as things stand.

Liverpool 0-0 Palace There’s a break in play while Nat Phillips has his head bandaged. He’s fine, it’s just a cut above the left eye.

GOAL! West Ham 1-0 Southampton (Fornals 30)

West Ham are on course for the Europa League! Jarrod Bowen’s shot is saved by Alex McCarthy, but Palo Fornals follows up to score with appreciable glee. As things stand West Ham are six points clear of Spurs in seventh.

Villa 0-0 Chelsea Almost a string at Villa Park, where John McGinn robs Kovacic and shoots this far wide.

Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea Chelsea have had 76 per cent possession and nine shots on goal, but it’s still 0-0.

GOAL! Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley (McGoldrick 24)

The excellent David McGoldrick, one of the few Sheffield United players to reach last season’s level, has given them the lead against Burnley.

Here are a couple of today’s goals

The state of Kevin De Bruyne: he scores 20-yard tap-ins.

As it stands

  • Champions League Leicester, Chelsea
  • Europa League Liverpool, West Ham
  • Europa Conference Tottenham

GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Newcastle (Willock 23)

What a story this is: the on-loan Joe Willock has scored for the seventh game in a row!

Updated

Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace Liverpool are starting to knock the screw into the door: Thiago’s long pass releases Mo Salah, whose shot is straight at Guaita.

Leicester 1-0 Tottenham A tearful Wesley Fofana is going off with a hamstring injury. It’s a sad end to a sensational first season in English football. Nampalys Mendy replaces him and Wilfred Ndidi drops into defence.

The latest scores

  • Arsenal 0-0 Brighton
  • Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
  • Fulham 0-0 Newcastle
  • Leeds 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester 1-0 Tottenham
  • Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City 2-0 Everton
  • Sheffield United 0-0 Burnley
  • West Ham 0-0 Southampton
  • Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

And here’s the league table as it stands.

Man City 2-0 Everton That Gabriel Jesus goal was a beauty by all accounts. Meanwhile, Rhys Williams has just missed a glorious chance to put Liverpool ahead against Palace, heading over from six yards.

GOAL! Leeds 1-0 West Brom (Rodrigo 17) After a slow start, it’s literally raining goals in the Premier League. Rodrigo has put Leeds ahead at home to West Brom, and as it stands they are now above Everton in the table.

Goal for Leeds!
Goal for Leeds! Photograph: Lynne Cameron/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Leicester 1-0 Spurs (Vardy 18 pen)

Vardy sends Hugo Lloris the wrong way, and as it stands Leicester are third in the Premier League!

Jamie Vardy scores!
Jamie Vardy scores! Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Man City 2-0 Everton (Jesus 13)

It’s there!

Jesus scores.
Jesus saves scores. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

Updated

PENALTY TO LEICESTER! Toby Alderweireld dangles a leg and trips Jamie Vardy. Anthony Taylor didn’t give it, but VAR told him to go over the monitor and he soon changed his mind.

Liverpool 0-0 Palace Andros Townsend has missed an excellent chance for Palace, who could and probably should be ahead at Anfield.

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Man Utd (Elanga 13)

The teenager Anthony Elanga has given Manchester United the lead at Molineux.

Goal for Man United!
Goal for Man United! Photograph: Andy Rain/PA

Updated

GOAL! Man City 1-0 Everton (De Bruyne 11)

The champions are ahead! Kevin De Bruyne’s goal, his 10th of the season, is also good news for West Ham, Spurs and Arsenal in the race for Europe.

Kevin De Bruyne celebrates.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates. Photograph: Dave Thompson/Reuters
City go ahead through Kevin De Bruyne.
City go ahead through Kevin De Bruyne. Photograph: Carl Recine/PA

Updated

A few teams are doing this today. Kerching!

Updated

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham James Maddison’s long-range shot deflects wide off the head of Toby Alderweireld. It’s been a lively start at the King Power in front of a noisy crowd.

The latest scores in the Premier League. You are welcome

  • Arsenal 0-0 Brighton
  • Aston Villa 0-0 Chelsea
  • Fulham 0-0 Newcastle
  • Leeds 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester 0-0 Tottenham
  • Liverpool 0-0 Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City 0-0 Everton
  • Sheffield United 0-0 Burnley
  • West Ham 0-0 Southampton
  • Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

“It’s been a funny old season, and no mistake,” writes Felix Wood. “It’s been interesting to be a part of it, but I hope that it’s not repeated again. Time does seem to have stretched, and I can’t really remember the beginning of the season. Were Spurs really good for the first ten games? That feels unlikely. I’ve hated the lack of fans, but the football did feel more technical. It’s been a good season for players being brought through (and I’m very disappointed at the lack of youngsters in today’s teams when so many of the matches are meaningless). I’m looking forward to the Euros, and then it’s only a year ‘till the World Cup...but isn’t it time we all had a bit of a break? Just a month or so. Thanks for the MBMemories.”

Leeds 0-0 West Brom Jack Harrison has had a goal disallowed for offside.

Liverpool 0-0 Palace Alisson makes another save, this time from Andros Townsend. It’s been a cracking start from Palace, who are clearly determined to send Roy Hodgson off with a 5-5 draw.

“Hi Rob,” says Matt Burtz. “I echo Mr. Copestake’s sentiments. I just want to note that when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores seven goals today to take the golden boot, you’re going to look awfully silly for not including him in your list. Seriously, though, I look forward to you being on Blackpool-Lincoln City duty next weekend.”

You jest, but I’ve just seen the rota. Yep.

Liverpool 0-0 Palace Wilfried Zaha forces an early save from Alisson at the near post after a lively run. The angle was really tight for the shot and Alisson was well positioned.

Peeeeeeeeep peeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! The final day of the Premier League season is under way.

“Arsenal fans have got a lot to look to forward today,” says Charles Antaki. “A choice among several ignominies: losing to a team which can’t score goals; not being able to pip Spurs on the final day; and possibly worst of all, qualification for competition nobody had ever heard of before two weeks ago. The only good thing about today is that not all of these can come to pass.”

“I’ll be glad to see the back of this season,” writes absolutely everyone, but specifically Matt Dony. “There have been many reasons for Liverpool’s poor showing, and I’m not going to add anything to that discussion at this late stage. However many mitigating factors there have been, though, the team have underperformed. Between that and the whole sorry ESL mess, I had made my peace with the fact that Liverpool simply didn’t deserve to be in a Champions League place. Give the players as much of a break as possible, reset, bring in a few new recruits, and go again next season.

“Then, a certain Alisson Becker stepped up with a moment of magic. Between the raw technique and determination, and what it clearly meant to him personally, I have totally re-evaluated the end of the season. Suddenly, fourth (or even third) place seems fated, and No7 is on its way next season!

“It’s not often I do that kind of unbridled optimism. Today feels like one of those days. Don’t take it away from me...”

It was the most amazing moment. Goalkeepers scoring equalisers is almost passé, but to score the winner is something else, and that’s before you consider the personal context.

It’s nearly time. Any predictions? Mine, since you didn’t ask, are:

  • Champions League Liverpool, Leicester
  • Europa League Chelsea, West Ham
  • Conference League Arsenal

I’m off for a quick coffee break before the fun begins. See you in 10 minutes!

Way-hay, congratulations! I hope Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlon were at the ground.

All the links you'll need

“Thanks to you and the team (collective noun for Orkney sheep?) for bringing us reasons to get angry, drink more, exercise less, blame others and generally grow,” says Ian Copestake. “You guys have been no small part of this journey and I for one thank you for your service.”

The same to you, Copestake, and both all the other readers. Like Sir Matt Busby said, liveblogs are nothing without the fans.

Wolves v Man Utd team news

Nuno Espirito Santo signs off with a back three, the formation that took Wolves to such great heights. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has picked a reserve side with Wednesday’s Europa League final in mind.

This is pretty lovely

Never mind Sergio Aguero, Martin Tyler is a bona fide Premier League legend. And you’ll do very well to meet a nicer person.

Updated

West Ham v Southampton team news

West Ham only need a draw but David Moyes has resisted the temptation to revert to a back three.

Updated

Sheffield United v Burnley team news

Manchester City v Everton team news

Pep Guardiola has picked a stronger team than we might have expected. Sergio Aguero will come on at half-time for the final act of a glorious decade at the Etihad.

Updated

Liverpool v Crystal Palace team news

Jurgen Klopp sticks with the players who have dragged Liverpool back into the Champions League places. Diogo Jota is fit enough for the bench.

Leicester v Spurs team news

Kelechi Iheanacho returns to the Leicester starting line-up after his surprise omission at Chelsea in the week. Harry Kane plays his final game for Spurs, possibly.

Leeds v West Bromwich Albion team news

Fulham v Newcastle team news

Aston Villa v Chelsea team news

No surprises in the Chelsea team, and they have good attacking options on the bench if things get fraught in the second half.

Arsenal v Brighton team news

Here’s exclusive footage of what the football gods intend to do to one of Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester today.

“Mr Smyth!” says Bill Hargreaves. “Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride! All to play for, for seventh to third. Ignominy for some of less-than-humble (read erstwhile ESL) stature. And if Mr. Kane really does one, where next for Mr. Levy’s unravelling ball of wool? Roll up, roll up, ladies and gentlemen, for movers and shakers, riders and mounts, some will fall, some will succeed. Nice little warm up for the CL final later this month. Football is dead: log live football. Thanks as ever, in anticipation, of a thriller.”

‘Log live football’ is my new favourite typo.

The Log Lady
Sky Sports’ newest pundit. Photograph: ABC Photo Archives/Disney ABC Television Group

Mes que un farewell

The departing Sergio Aguero is only on the bench for Manchester City, though apparently he is going to come on at half-time.

Permutations department: Europa League/Conference League qualification

West Ham need only a draw at home to Southampton to finish sixth and ensure a place in the Europa League. The team in seventh will qualify for the playoff round of the new Europa Conference League, which begins tomorrow night.

Arsenal, currently in ninth, have the least difficult game of those in the race for seventh. While their sole target is the Europa Conference League, Spurs are aiming for the Europa League (they will finish sixth if they beat Leicester and West Ham lose). But they could easily end up with nothing except memories of being top in November.

Confused? Splendid, now all I need is PayPal password.

West Ham Pts 62 GD+12, Southampton (H)

Tottenham Hotspur Pts 59 GD+21, Leicester (A)

Everton Pts 59 GD+4, Manchester City (A)

Arsenal Pts 58 GD+14, Brighton (H)

Permutations department: Champions League qualification

This is pretty simple – there are two places available, and at the moment Chelsea and Liverpool are a nose ahead of Leicester. But both have tricky games, especially Chelsea. They are away to Aston Villa, who will be invigorated by the return of the fans to Villa Park - and especially by the presence of one very special supporter: Jack Grealish.

Liverpool play Crystal Palace, which would look like a home banker were it not for the fact that this is Anfield legend Roy Hodgson’s final game as Palace manager. Stranger things have happened. Liverpool won the return fixture 7-0, which is more important than it looked at the time; they are currently ahead of Leicester on goal difference.

Leicester probably need to beat Spurs, though they could qualify for the Champions League with a draw if a) Liverpool lose at home to Palace or b) Chelsea lose by three goals at Villa.

Chelsea Pts 67 GD+23, Villa (A)

Liverpool Pts 66 GD+24, Palace (H)

Leicester Pts 66 GD+20, Spurs (H)

Preamble

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the final day of the 2020-21 Premier League. It looks like we might have made it to the end of this bizarro, Covid-squashed season, but first there’s one last bit of brain-busting business: a bumper Clockwatch involving T-E-N simultaneous Premier League games.

For today’s assignment, dear reader, you will need the following: a minimum of five screens, three pairs of eyes, an as-it-stands league table, industrial strength headache pills, a sick bucket and, depending on who you support, the world’s smallest violin. And while Guardian News and Media takes no legal responsibility for etc etc, you might want to have an emergency bottle of homebrow turps to hand in case things get somewhat overwrought.

The title race and the relegation battle were decided a while ago, but an almighty scramble for European places should keep us on the edge of our seat – and of sanity – for the afternoon. There will be goals galore, always is on the final day, not to mention plenty of goodwill and schmaltz as the Premier League says farewell to, among others, Sergio Aguero, Wes Morgan, Roy Hodgson, Nuno Espirito Santo and Sam Allardyce.

The battle for the Golden Boot (Salah 22, Kane 22, Bamford 16) is worth keeping one of of those pairs of eyes on. Manchester United have the chance to become only the fourth team in English top-flight history to stay unbeaten away from home all season. And around 9,000 Leeds fans will be at Elland Road to pay tribute to a team who in the last nine months have made the world an infinitely better place for neutrals, never mind those who adore them.

We’ll try to keep up with all ten games, though some of the less meaningful matches will almost certainly fall by the wayside when the goals start flying in. Our main focus will be on the five games that affect the European places [six games, Smyth, you’re all over the show already - ed].

At least one of the Big Six (RIP) will miss out on qualification for a competition they tried to kill off five weeks ago. Not since a tearful Janice Soprano asked where Richie Aprile was buried, less than 24 hours ago after plugging him with lead, has there been such a dramatic about-face.

We’ll come to the permutations in a while; in short, there are five European places to be shared between seven teams. Not even the Spice Girls could make that one work, so two will miss out.

Here’s the full fixture list (all 4pm kick-offs, games affecting the race for Europe in bold):

  • Arsenal v Brighton
  • Aston Villa v Chelsea
  • Fulham v Newcastle
  • Leeds v West Bromwich Albion
  • Leicester v Tottenham
  • Liverpool v Crystal Palace
  • Manchester City v Everton
  • Sheffield United v Burnley
  • West Ham v Southampton
  • Wolves v Man Utd

Updated

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