15/05/2016 Match of the Day

As you may have noticed, just the nine games were played on what was

meant to be the final day of the Barclays Premier League season. That

is because Manchester United against Bournemouth was called off after a

suspect package was found inside Old Trafford before kick-off. The

stadium was evacuated and a controlled explosion carried out.

Police revealed that the item was a training device which had

accidentally been left by a private company following a training

exercise for such dogs. You could not make it up. The match will be

played on Tuesday, United have the FA Cup final on Saturday. The fight

to finish fourth was the one big storyline still to be resolved, so

all eyes, including those of Alan and Danny, were fixed on Manchester

City at Swansea. The postponement did not affect the situation going

into the game, a point would be enough to guarantee Pep Guardiola

Champions League football next season.

The final day and Manchester City head to head with United for the

prize. Not quite 2012, though. Finishing fourth is not the stuff of

Abu Dhabi dreams, but still a lot better than fifth. Francesco

Guidolin has rested his goalkeeper. As well as his captain and his joint

top scorer, with your road 2016 in mind. Ki Sung-Yeung is doing his

National Service with the South Korean army. That is a good note of

absence. Manchester City are unchanged, Yaya Toure on the bench,

it could be his final game. It is farewell to Manuel Pellegrini, who

hopes his side will not need a pep talk to finish on a high.

It has gone in. Kelechi Iheanacho is claiming it. Manchester City in

front. Hold on. It has been ruled out. That is a good 20, 30 seconds

after the goal appeared to be given. It is a goal, he says. Total

confusion, the goal stands. He says it is a goal. Kelechi Iheanacho

claiming it. A very good save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt at first. He is

clearly not offside. Manchester City are in front, and rightly so. But

with a degree of total confusion, which seems to be pretty

unnecessary. He is definitely not offside. Manchester City have the

lead. It has gone in! This one has been

ruled out. Jefferson Montero adjudged to have pushed Bacary

Sagna. This is all happening. It is a decent ball from Angel Rangel, it

bounces awkwardly. I think Jefferson Montero is unlucky. How much of a

push is their? Bacary Sagna went to ground, it hit Jefferson Montero and

went in, rather than the other way round. The referee has disallowed

that one. The Italian has a two-year deal, signed on Wednesday, he has

done well, more than half of their Premier League victories this season

have come under him, even though he only took over in January.

Kristoffer Nordfeldt kept it out. Manchester City look well capable of

doubling their lead sooner rather than later. That is a very poor ball

from Nicolas Otamendi. You expect to see the net olds when Sergio Aguero

have the ball at his feet there. If that was Kelechi Iheanacho having

the temerity to ignore Sergio Aguero, there might have been words,

that the teenager bowed to his record and seniority. A matter of

pride for Manuel Pellegrini to finish in the Champions League

qualification braces. Speculation he may be a Premier League manager

still next season. Leon Britton caught by Nicolas Otamendi. That is

a trip and a free kick to Swansea. He is getting a yellow card.

Deflected and in. Andre Onana you with the equaliser, thanks to a big

deflection. Manchester City have missed chance after chance after

chance. They have been made to pay right at the end of the half. Andre

Ayew has equalised. A huge deflection off the head of Fernando.

That is what the Joe Hart. Manchester City have a corner. At

times in the first half they look so comfortable, but not now.

Headed over the top. Eliaquim Mangala might have done more with

that. He climbed well enough. He could have had a hat-trick today,

Sergio Aguero. Again, the kind of position you issue he will put the

ball into the back of the net. It is nail-biting to the end, as always,

Manchester City fans. Bad luck or destiny? We will see.

Every time it seems to be opening up for them, some mishap seems to

befall them. The referee blows his whistle. With

the slight mathematical caveat of a huge Manchester United victory,

Manchester City have done their job. They have won a trophy and they have

finished in the Champions League qualifying places. Not enough to

keep Manuel Pellegrini in work at Manchester City, enough to pip their

neighbours to the only remaining prize.

It was unbelievable that we finished the first 45 minutes at 1-1. We were

unlucky with the free kick, it was an own goal, but we missed five or

six clear chances to finish the game. It was a good match, we played

well. They are the best team in the Premier League. It was difficult for

us, but we played a good game. Important for us, a good result. The

table now is better. I did not enjoy it, it was a strange day. It was

getting the job done. Hopefully that is what we have done, barring a

mathematical freak, we have got Champions League football next year.

What I wanted was to finish winning the Premier League. If we could not

have it, the club announced in February the new process, it was not

the best atmosphere. Just to be clear, you feel the announcement,

the way it happened in February, made it more difficult for you? It

is the reality, what happened. But I wanted to be near the top of the

table. If we could not direct, at least the team is in the Champions

League next season. We will come to that. First and

foremost, you wanted to concentrate on an emerging young striker,

Kelechi Iheanacho. A huge stage today. He has potential, their

second top scorer in the league, with eight goals, hind Sergio

Aguero. He is still learning big aim and has a lot to learn, but the has

massive potential. A good ball in with a left foot, a

strong point, but he does not admire it. This is a good sign. By the time

the ball comes in, he is in the six yard box trying to sniff the chances

out. Understanding of the game will improve, that should go into Sergio

Aguero. It is a simple pass. He does not say that. He goes for the harder

option. Look at his pace, trying to get into the box. Why can't people

be trigger their? Nothing to lose. A free effort on goal. He comes back

on his left foot, he gives the defendant a chance. But then it has

gone. I don't see why he cannot release the trigger early. A poor

touch with his right foot. If he takes it into his stride, he has a

better chance of going up the goal. But this will improve as he gets

older and plays more games and gets gametime. I don't think this is a

difficult touch. I suspect his right foot is a problem, he will have to

work on it in training. But the goals are good. Right place, right

time, he is in the box. He is expecting things, he is alive and

alert. It is not a fluke, he sticks it away very well. Potential for him

is huge. How do we assess Manchester City's season? Whistle Manuel

Pellegrini say it was affected... Lowest point total for seven

seasons. They have underachieved. Winning the League Cup and the

semifinal of the Champions League is not enough. It is not rocket

science. They have scored more than anybody else

science. They have scored more than but defensively they have recruited

so badly. Without Vincent Kompany they are a shambles, you always get

chances against them. They have not been able to mount a challenge. I

expect to or three new defenders. He did not fall anybody when he signed

a new contract to stop the talk of a new manager. And it was announced,

--. Taking today's team, how many of those players would Pep Guardiola

fancy? Pep Guardiola has a massive

rebuilding job to do. In that team today, he would definitely keep

Aguero, De Bruyne and Joe Hart, and potential with Iheanacho.

Fernandinho, other than maybes with Silva and Sterling, but other than

that, he has a big rebuilding job to be where Manchester City want to be.

A big change of styles as well. Swansea, Guidolin has a new

contract. He did say Manchester City were the best team in the league

this season! He deserves that new contract. He does. They have played

really well towards the end of the season. I think they need to bring a

fuel in as well. They don't want to get that situation where they are

teetering at the relegation zone. I expect some good additions at

Swansea. Time to vote for goal of the season.

What a goal! What a fantastic goal by Benteke. That's what he can do,

out of the blue. Wow. Just on the edge of the six yard

box, Matt Ritchie. Good strike. What a strike! What a start for

Bournemouth. That's a belter. Bertrand keeping Southampton on the

front foot. Carefully into the box. Nodded away by Mertesacker. Driven

back in. What a strike! Martina with a right footed hammer. That is a

wonder strike. Harry Kane. Deliberately deep for

Eriksen. Back to Dele Alli. What a goal! Sensational control. Eriksen

with the header back. Brilliant control and what a volley. That's

one of the goals of the season. Mahrez felt he was pushed. All of a

sudden, over the top, looking for Jamie Vardy whose isolated with

Dejan Lovren. Goes for it. What a screamer! What a goal that is!

Unbelievable, sensational stuff. That is a worldie.

Kevin Wimmer. Mertesacker. Beaten to it by Dele Alli. Kane. What a goal!

That's an incredible strike by Harry Kane. Had one look up, hit it,

curled it, David Ospina was nowhere near it.

Palace have seven in the wall. West Ham have a couple of players on the

end. Payet strikes and it's in. What a goal by Dimitri Payet. Could not

have placed that any better. Right in the corner.

Here's John Obi Mikel to Hazard. Eden Hazard wriggling away between

two. Shrugging off Kyle Walker. Good ball, Diego Costa with a lovely turn

away from Alderweireld. Hazard! What a goal from Eden Hazard.

Chelsea's invisible man this season has scored a fantastic goal.

You can vote on the BBC sport website by clicking on the goal of

your choice. A slight tweak to the rules this year, Alan Shearer and

Danny Murphy will choose the winner from your top three. Voting closes

at 11:45pm. Newcastle's fate was sealed when Sunderland, of all

teams, beat Everton midweek to secure their own survival. Spurs

arrived at a subdued St James's Park needing a point to guarantee second

place. Alistair man was watching. COMMENTATOR: Aleksandar Mitrovic was

just one of the big money recruits last summer to join the new Steve

McClaren era with the intention of securing Premier League is a vital a

formality. As it transpired, one of his best days came at White Hart

Lane when he was on target in a rare Magpies away win in December. A

point away from securing runners-up spot, an ideal scenario for Spurs

would be if Harry Kane was on target in the process as he tries to win

the Golden Boot. If he scores twice he will hold the Premier League

record for away goals in the season, beating Kevin Phillips' 16 goals in

17 years ago. Now the fans can play their part, their positivity towards

Rafa Benitez, he admits has made him think seriously about remaining at

St James' Park. Nice 1-2 to release Sissoko.

Townsend with Janmaat on the outside. On towards Mitrovic and it

was a terrific move and it deserved better. Janmaat on the overlap.

Mitrovic with a darting run. Good challenge by Alderweireld.

Janmaat on towards Mitrovic. Headed away only as far as Sissoko. Fine --

Wijnaldum. And there is the goal. They have responded to the

positivity around St James' Park. The feeling is that if only Benitez

had been given more time, who knows what could have been possible. For

those who thought Newcastle would just give up with Premier League

status beyond them, they have been proved dramatically wrong. Goal

number ten of the season for Newcastle's top scorer.

Newcastle again with plenty of ambition. Wijnaldum and Mitrovic

call for it. Mitrovic! What a goal that is. Fantastic goal. Will the

real Newcastle United please stand up? Because this is not in keeping

with what has gone on here for the majority of the campaign. Mitrovic

on the end of another excellent Newcastle United move. Townsend,

Sissoko, Mitch vitch with his hand up, play it to me, and his header

was unstoppable. That -- Mitrovic with his hand up.

Lamela tried to threaded through. It breaks for Harry came. Darlow's

first save was a smart one, narrowing the near post angle,

making it near impossible for Eriksen to tuck it in. -- breaks for

Harry Kane. Cheick Tiote in the right place, as

he so often is. He has lost the ball there in a dangerous area. Eriksen

and now Kane. Eriksen again. Eric Dier is up in this attack. Lamela

round the outside. It's gone in! Didn't seem possible. How did that

sneak into the net? Darlow looked like he had it covered. But Spurs

had to score the next goal in this game and they have done it fairly

shortly into the second period. Lamela driving it in and Spurs are

back in the game. And they have responded early in this second

period. Here's Mitrovic. Now, a collision

between Mitrovic and Walker that has left both of them down. Walker is

rising. What will the referee and the assistant think of that? --

Walker is writhing. Referee go into his pocket. Mitrovic, who was sent

off in the first month of the season, now sent off in the last

month of the season. It was away from the ball, his studs straight

into the shins of Walker. It was a definite red card, I'm afraid to

say. Brilliant from Sissoko, and it. In

play as well. Wijnaldum doing his best to get involved alongside

Sissoko. He takes a tumble, penalty! The skipper led the unlikely charge.

Eriksen tries to stop him. So does Vertonghen. Wijnaldum to restore

Newcastle's two goal advantage. He has! They are exhibiting all the

qualities necessary to get out of the Championship. That is a

certainty. Wijnaldum gets his second, Newcastle's third. Its 3-1

at St James' Park. Fantastic! Really great save to deny

Sissoko. Captain fantastic. And he has almost capped a wonderful

virtuoso display with a wonderful fourth goal.

Looks like a debut forward Jamie stereo at the moment. Not before

this corner is taken. Sissoko screaming for it. Sissoko is through

the middle. Here he goes to cap a wonderful display. But not to be

again. Townsend releases him. Hugo Lloris makes yet another outstanding

save. Sissoko goes off the field having led his team inspirationally

today. 50,000 rise and applaud their captain. And next to that, a debut

for Jamie Sterry. The corner is short. Townsend goes for it. It hits

the post! And now Orlando Ahrens. It's in! Another goal for Newcastle.

I have seen some crazy games on the final day of the season, but none

have been crazier than this one. Townsend hit the post. Tech three

Mac fires in the rebound and Spurs can't wait for the final whistle. --

Aarons fires in the rebound. The most remarkable scoreline that

scarcely seems believable. Relegated Newcastle 4-1 Spurs.

And they have won the ball again. Aarons leading the charge. Janmaat

is up with him. Townsend to his left hand side. Janmaat now, scores! It's

not sublime this game, it is totally ridiculous. It was supposed to be

the game of it a nurse and anger, and it has turned out to be one of

triumph and happiness. -- game of bitterness. Janmaat caps an

unbelievable performance with a fifth goal. Pochettino can scarcely

believe what he's witnessed. First of all I want to apologise to

my friends. I think they don't deserve all that happened on the

pitch. I apologise to our families, because I think it was a shame.

Difficult to understand why. When you have, show your ambition and

that you're mentally strong, and we were not on the pitch. The last

game, we play well. But we still gutted. We are all disappointed. But

now the season over, so we need to see what will happen for next

season. Really pleased, because we wanted to give the fans something to

enjoy today. Disappointed obviously, because we can't stay up. But at

least we gave everything and the fans have seen the team has been

working until the last day. STUDIO: They have left it late, Alan. What a

performance and what a victory. Very good performance. Superb victory.

But the question is, where have those players been for the vast

majority of the season? If they showed the same passion and

commitment they showed today, you saw players rolling up their sleeves

and shouting and screaming. Where have they been all season? Maybe

Benitez has gradually got them where he wants them. They have to keep

them, they have to try. They have to try. If he had been given more games

as manager they would not have been relegated. You said that about

yourself! I was the fourth manager in 2009 that season. They should

have given him more time, they didn't learn from that mistake.

Mitrovic, interesting young character. He has a goal in him,

that's for sure. In the last few weeks we have seen the good, the bad

and a bit of the hideous today. This was terrible today. One of his first

challenges, standing over him and looking at the referee as if he

wants to do some things serious to him. He has had five red cards in

his career and he's only 21. The penny has dropped, he hasn't

learned. This challenge is horrific. A leg breaker. Terrible tackle. He's

probably going to miss four games of next season. Not as if he's been

brilliant all season and scoring goals. You might look at it and

think you can accept it, but he hasn't. He has to start learning.

A rotten day. As, they got back into bed, 2-1, ten men. We think the

penalty might have been a dive. I think this is as bad, because you

are cheating. The only way this stops is retrospective action. It

killed the game. It was the turning point. No, Newcastle played well,

but it was the end of the game. What about Spurs' capitulation?

Inexperience? Disappointment, yes. I also think when you lose Ellie Ali

and Mousa Dembele, you lose the legs and power. The victory percentage

when they don't play says it all. They have been a big mess,

especially today, but in other games as well. Over role, Tottenham

supporters must be overjoyed. They have got themselves in the Champions

League, they have given Leicester City a go in the title, and they

have a fantastic season to look forward to and a brilliant young

squad. Their future is bright. As news filtered through to Arsenal

that Spurs were struggling, they knew that victory against relegated

Aston Villa would be enough to pip their rivals to second spot.

Jack Wilshere starts for the first time since last season's final

Premier League game. Santi Cazorla makes his first appearance since

November to stop they try to prove their fitness for the European

Championships and push Arsenal above Spurs into second, their highest

finish since 2005. Aly Cissokho returns, Jordan lied and gets his

second league start. They look for their first away victory is in the

opening day and to end their 28 year stay in the top flight with a tonic

for the suffering supporters. Joleon Lescott made the challenge.

The first corner of the game goes to Arsenal.

Santi Cazorla looks fit and sharp. Gabrielle came up from the back.

1-0 Arsenal. It is simple and it has taken under five minutes. He ended

his scoring drought last week, he gets another, it is 22 for the

season. All Arsenal can do is win their game and hope Tottenham

slip-up, and they have got off to the best possible start. A lovely

cross, look at the space, totally unmarked. Shocking defending. Aston

Villa muttering that in the build-up, a long way through, the

ball went out of play. Aston Villa again with a back five. You wonder

whether or not they have any potency to get back into this game. 27

league goals this season. The worst record in the league. Lauren

Koscielny rescues Arsenal, and that is a wake-up call. It is a good

chance for Aston Villa. Never looked right. Laurent Koscielny was well

placed. He was not far-away mattered would

have been a lovely goal. A really superb build-up for Arsenal. He

checked back inside, he bamboozled the defender. Not far wide at all.

Side netting. He scored a year ago on the last day in his last start,

Roy Hodgson would have loved to see that hit the back of the net. He saw

the run early, he could not finish. Arsenal unbeaten in eight games in

all competitions. Luckily for Arsenal, Nacho Monreal

was there. This is a reminder that Arsenal need a second. Arsenal

switched off. All but Nacho Monreal. Aston Villa losing away from home

again, but it is still conquered time for the faithful.

Crashed over by Mohamed Elneny. He has not scored in the league since

arriving in January. He should have got his first there. News is coming

in from St James's Park, Newcastle lead Tottenham 3-1. They think they

are going to finish second. A good save. He kept the shot down

low. A decent effort. We'll Aston Villa yet spoil the celebrations?

They are not out of this game yet. 2-0, that is it. Two for Olivier

Giroud. Arsenal will finish above Spurs again. Reasons to be cheerful.

The hugs for Tomas Rosicky, who after ten years leaves this summer

on a free transfer. Surely the pressure will be off Arsene Wenger

now. Mesut Ozil so often the brains and the creator. It is swept home by

a Olivier Giroud, sheer delight. He could not buy a goal, Olivier

Giroud, he scored at Manchester City, a double today. He gets the

hat-trick! Would you believe it? Savage criticism just weeks ago. Now

he has put smiles on the faces of everybody at Arsenal. Aston Villa

switched off. A lovely ball. He had to stretch. 24 for the season for

Olivier Giroud. Arsene Wenger smiling. That has been a rarity in

the last third of the season. For Aston Villa, the worst top-flight

season in their history. The Last Panthers went down, it was just for

one season. It could be worse this time around.

Leandro Bacuna heads it away. It was close to four. A brilliant ball.

Carlos Sanchez and Alexis Sanchez with the dink. It is Mikel Arteta's

farewell appearance before a free transfer, the club captain.

It is in! It has gone off the goalkeeper, but Mikel Arteta will

claim it in his last game. The mean people in an office might give it as

an own goal, but Mikel Arteta will claim it. What will the future hold

for him? What will the future hold for Arsenal as they finish the

season with a flourish? Their highest finish since 2005.

You will be delighted you have finished above Spurs. It is hard not

to smile. It was harder than ever this season, but in the end, we did

not give up. When you are under pressure, we kept our togetherness.

That is part of the DNA of this club. We have done that well until

the last minute of the season. We help them at 1- 0480 minutes, we had

three or four chances to score, which you don't often get. Under the

circumstances, we worked extremely hard. We are very pleased with the

second hat-trick of the season. Especially at home, an important

game. I am really pleased we finished second. Hopefully next year

we will grab one More Place in the table.

A good starting point, sending a message to Arsene Wenger, we don't

need a striker? I am not sure about that. Arsenal fans will not agree.

He is a good player. He has lots of good attributes.

But ultimately, it was not get enough goals to be in a side that

wins the Premier League. We have seen him score these goals, just not

often enough. He put himself about, he is good in the air, he was

playing ahead of Danny Welbeck for a reason. If he is not first choice,

that says it all. It was a fantastic hat-trick, although it was against

Aston Villa, without sounding too disrespectful! Every time a team

wins the league, 99% the striker will get 20 goals plus, and Arsenal

do not have one of those. You look at Jamie Vardy, Sergio Aguero, Diego

Costa, Harry Kane, he has won the Golden Boot. Arsenal fans have said

for a long time they need a top class striker, where do you get him

from and how much to you spend? That is the hard bit. Their highest

finish for 11 seasons, is not enough to placate the critics? No, I repeat

what I have said for the last couple of years, they have got ability but

they lacked heart and a tough mentality. They are experts at

winning when the pressure is off. Do you agree? Yes. We both got stick

last season and this for saying they would not win the title, but we have

been proved right. Southampton were still in contention

for a place in next season's Europa League, they faced a Crystal Palace

side with one eye on the FA Cup final.

With plenty to play for and his side in such good form, Ronald Koeman has

resisted the temptation to tinker. Oriol Romeu you start with's in

midfield. It is the only change. Alan Pardew has made several

changes, a week had of the cup final. A second appearance of the

season for Julian Speroni, who makes his 388 appearance for the club

today. Joint fourth all-time. It equals John Jackson's record total

as a goalkeeper. A disjointed opening few minutes. A good shot

from Dwight Gayle. Beaten away by Fraser Forster. Dwight Gayle keeping

Southampton's goalkeeper on his toes.

Sadio Mane guided home. Just over two minutes from half-time.

Southampton break the deadlock. With this goal, Damien Delaney trying to

protect his goalkeeper, just watch this in the middle. Dusan Tadic and

Damien Delaney going for the ball, Damien Delaney going to ground, the

bulk guided home I Sadio Mane, nobody there on the line.

A great chance, a good save. Solid as a rock, Fraser Forster. He was

tested here, Dwight Gayle with the chance.

Sullay Kaikai with a shot saved by Fraser Forster. He drilled it into

the ground. The flying start from the Southampton goalkeeper. The

match opening up a bit here. Pelle with the header. 2-0

Southampton. Great play from Martina. The cross hung in the air

and Pelle invariably doesn't miss opportunities like that. Speroni got

his hand to it, a little nudge in the back of the Palace to

Southampton celebrate. Souare is down. Crystal Palace with a free

kick. Free kick taken quickly and Dwight

Gayle was almost in. Kaikai with the corner. Fraser

Forster getting his fist to it. Jason Puncheon with the chance of

the shot, what a goal! Jason Puncheon scores against his old

club. At 2-1, suddenly Crystal Palace are back in this game.

Puncheon really caught that well. Kaikai's corner was punched away by

Fraser Forster. Shane Long lost out to Jason Puncheon who was quick to

shoot. He found the far corner of the net. Two minutes between two

goals at either end of the field. Mane holding off Jason Puncheon. He

will go for the return from Pelle. Bundled off the ball. The referee

waits for some guidance from the near side. Penalty. Mane goes down

right on the edge of the penalty area. Under pressure here from

Souare and Mariappa. Ryan Bertrand will take the penalty

kick. Can he score against them here? Each hand. Speroni got his

gloves to the ball but he couldn't stop it entering the back of the

net. Southampton 3-1 Crystal Palace thanks to this penalty kick.

Couldn't quite turn it past the post.

Ward-Prowse finds Steven Davis who has Martina to his right and Pelle

to his left. It wasn't a good ball but Martina still collect. Too high

for Davis. Ward-Prowse. Mane. Just wide! Good play from Southampton and

very nearly a second goal of the match for Sadio Mane.

Just out of reach, but into the path of Davis. It's four! Southampton are

finishing the season in style. Four in the last home game against

Manchester City. And four past Julian Speroni and Crystal Palace

here this afternoon. Today the difference was we were

very clinical. Not our best game at home, but the belief and the fight

until the last second brought three points. Our job, we have done. That

was the message to the players. A disappointing result at the end of

the match, but what was your view on the performance? I thought our

performance was good. Two shocking decisions have gifted them two

goals. I think the contact was outside, not a penalty. And a

blatant push from the Pelle header. He looks to the referee as if to

say, did you see it? He should have seen it. Two poor decisions.

Nonetheless we had a lot of chances for an away team. We did OK. We

protected a few. They were strong and in good form and they deserved

to win. The performance was great. The supporters were behind us like

always and we got the result we needed. Another positive season.

Goodbye! He has his dad's hair, that one. Ronald Koeman with a fabulous

two seasons at Southampton. He's done a magnificent job. When you

look at the players sold at Southampton under him. ...

That's about ?130 million. They have spent money as well. But as we all

know, recruitment in the game when you are selling players is one of

the most difficult things to do in management. Not only have they done

that but they are getting better and better and have had a magnificent

finish to the season. Their position in the league is superb. Other clubs

will be looking at him. The question for Ronald is, and I'm sure he will

ask the board, what's the future of this football club and where do you

want to go? Do you want to keep your better players and keep improving?

Will Southampton be able to keep hold of Ronald Koeman because he

will attract interest from other clubs. Of course he will. He might

feel that if the likes of Mane and Wanyama this appear for big money,

they both might want Champions League football. That's the worry

for Southampton. Will they match his ambition? That's the question he

will ask. Crystal Palace, Alan Pardew did his own analysis and he

wasn't happy with a couple of decisions. We will talk about them

next week in the FA Cup final. After waving goodbye to Upton Park with

victory over Manchester United in midweek, West Ham United three

points at Stoke would guarantee a top six finish and a place in the

Europa League. Martin Fisher was at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke's Glenn Whelan has only missed one Premier League match all season.

For all the flair of Shaqiri, Arnautovic and Bojan, he's probably

the first aim on Mark Hughes' team sheet. The absence of Player of the

Year Dimitri Payet through injury is a huge blow for Slaven Bilic. He is

determined that after such a fantastic campaign, West Ham did not

fail at the final hurdle. Most points, fewest defeats, most

goals, and a 17th victory would also be a new Premier League record for

West Ham. Great run by Kouyate. Cross didn't match what went before,

but West Ham get the corner. This is Kouyate at his best, surging run.

Not a lot to a mat in the box. Only Carroll and Sakho in support. -- to

aim at. Stoke haven't defended this too well. Antonio! West Ham take the

lead. Terrible defending by Stoke City. Made no attempt to win the

second ball from Winston Reid's header across, and Antonio, in his

favourite position further up the field today, putting West Ham in

front with the first real shot on goal from either team in the opening

quarter of the contest. Winston Reid's header across and Antonio

took control of the situation, given the time and space to swivel and

bump it home. West Ham United have the lead and are on course for sixth

spot in the table. Here come West Ham again, and here

comes Antonio again. He has found Sakho, who shoots into

the side netting. West Ham could be out of sight already. A tame start

to the game from both sides, but since going in front, it has been

all West Ham. What a fabulous job Slaven Bilic has done it West Ham

this season. Well won AC by Antonio. Noble.

Kouyate! The second goal will not come for West Ham, but it seems a

matter of time before it does. Lightscameraction well

. Sakho at the back post. If Antonio tries to pick him out. He has found

him. Great save, Shay Given. Glorious chance goes begging. Sakho

denied by the 40-year-old Shay Given. They want to finish the

season in some style, despite very little being at stake for Stoke

today. In Imbula line sit up and finds the

bottom corner. His first goal, the record signing. Imbula punishes West

Ham for some wayward finishing and some poor defending for once here.

Randolph beaten from a long way out. Maybe could have done better. But he

unhappy nobody pressed the Frenchman as he let fly. He made it obvious he

was going to. Mark Hughes celebrates a Stoke City equaliser.

It's off the line, saved by Shay Given twice. Brilliant from Shay

Given again. He will be impressing the Republic of Ireland

international manager Martin O'Neill with his performance today.

It's another West Ham United corner. The next ten minutes could be

pivotal in West Ham's hopes of European football next season. It's

off the line again the! The Stoke City goal here, leading a charmed

life. Glenn Whelan with the heroics. He took his position on the near

post. Is that over the line? Not the whole ball, which is why we have

that system in place. Adam takes on Randolph from

distance. We have seen him do that before. He very nearly pulled it off

again. Brilliant from Charlie Adam. It's his speciality and Randolph

needed two bites to get it over the bar. Can Stoke find the winning

goal? It would see them finish ninth. They have! Diouf with the

somersault of celebration. And Stoke have probably won it with just a

couple of minutes to go. Slaven Bilic and West Ham hopes of European

football next season have just suffered an enormous tent. A game

they have largely dominated. -- enormous dent. Chances wasted, and

Diouf, off the bench for Stoke City. Poor marking from West Ham. They

fell asleep and it could be curtains for West Ham United and the European

dream for next season. At times this crowd will always

demand you bang the ball long and chase after it. When it's

appropriate we will, but for the most part we set up as a team who

plays through the lines, looking to get people in positions through good

play. Could have been easy to change mentality and go longer and I think

we would have been beaten again. Credit to the lads, they were brave,

played their stuff, and they got their reward. Despite the thing that

we lost, one part of the is analysing the game and happy because

we played really good football. We had a good game. Totally dominant in

a very difficult away game. But we are big disappointed that we lost

our sixth place on the last game of the season in this way. STUDIO: They

have lost sixth place, but fine margins. They had plenty of chances,

West Ham. They played some good football. But this particular one

would have put them in the lead. You would fancy them to go on and win

it. We have called the technology for a long time and this is why, I

thought it was in watching it live. We can see from the replay that it

wasn't. It's a really thin line. The lines are always pretty much the

same size! You know what I'm in. Between winning and losing games.

Stoke went on to win. Very good season for West Ham regardless.

Slaven Bilic has done a terrific job. I think they have all exceeded

expectation. The emergence of Payet and Lanzini has been brilliant. So

many good performances and the move to the new stadium, thousands of

season tickets and everything is rosy. Stoke, before today they were

on a bad run, but they have finished ninth three years running. Good

season for Stoke and Mark Hughes. They have become a more exciting

team without taking anything away from their performance in the

league. They have players who are exciting. Shaqiri, Arnautovic,

Bojan. They can be very pleased with their performances this season.

Plenty of football to come in the next few weeks beginning next

Saturday at Wembley. The inside story of how the title

was won, you really don't want to miss that! They were ten points

clear going into their game against Chelsea, who formed a guard of

honour. It was an emotional moment for the man who once sat in the

Stamford Bridge dugout, Claudio Ranieri.

Outwith the old, in with the the deposed champions did their

successors a guard of honour, deserving of a team who have won 23

of their 37 Premier League games and lost only three. John Terry among

those applauding, along with the owner. An emotional return to

Stamford Bridge for Claudio Ranieri, in his four years here he was never

out of the top six. The Player of the Season when he reached the

European semifinal, Conor Coady Cheney, he makes a special

ostentation on behalf of Chelsea. An appeal for handball. The referee

says no. The hand was somewhere in there. There was a case, it was

Christian Fuchs, the left-back, who made contact with the ball.

That did not miss by much. Pedro has managed eight goals since he came

from Barcelona at the start of the season. ?21 million. Chelsea need to

see some repayment. That could have been number nine.

Jamie Vardy is really chasing Harry Kane. At the start of play, Harry

Kane had 25 Premier League goals, Jamie Vardy and Sergio Aguero had

24. That can change this afternoon. There is a applause going round the

ground for John Terry. Still considering the offer of a one-year

contract. A good save by the left-hand of

Kasper Schmeichel. Those moments of inspiration have got Willian the

Player of the Year vote on Friday night. Chelsea to be under new

management next season, when Antonio Conte arrives in July after the

European Championships, when he will be managing Italy.

Offside. Disappointment hidden behind the mask, but the flag was up

on the far side. Half level, I would have called him, but the way the law

is interpreted, the only has to have a fingernail head of the defender

and he is offside. It is a penalty. Chelsea at last

looked like breaking through. It was a brilliant run by Eden Hazard that

produced this moment. He looked like going through everybody. Then Tammy

Abraham, and finally, Nemanja Matic. Cesc Fabregas, they have had mixed

fortune from the penalty spot, we will see what he can do. He scored

against West Ham from the spot. He scores again. Chelsea take the lead,

20 minutes into the second half. John Terry among those applauding.

Cesc Fabregas gets his sixth goal of the season. He tried to fall Kasper

Schmeichel by stopping in his run up and he put it in the other corner.

Our Leicester City going to forfeit this proud record of only three

defeats? He has tried one from their! Has

that added to his claims for an England squad place on Monday? Danny

Drinkwater. A beautiful shot, nine minutes from the end. With pace and

swerve, catching the goalkeeper out. Leicester City, the champions, have

come back from a goal behind. And so the old champions held at home by

the new champions. Honours even. Yes, we talked before

the game, let's make a diplomatic draw! No, it was a typical end of

season game, nothing at stake. We created chances. Kasper Schmeichel

played well. We had the penalty, then we invited them with sloppy

defending. It was a warm welcome for me. It was fantastic at the

beginning and at the end. Also, I enjoyed the match, because both

teams wanted to win, without something special, but we try to do

our best. A draw is OK, because we have lost only three times this

season. It was an amazing achievement. What a screamer to

equalise! It took 38 games, but I will take it! More importantly, we

got the point and kept our unbeaten record going.

I have said for a very long time I want to be here for the rest of my

career, I want to finish my career here. We will be speaking to the

club, I want to stay, the club know that.

John Terry has made a speech, implying he would like to stay. Have

you got a view? They are in contact, the directors and John and his

agent. It is good, in Holland we say don't disturb the hen who is sitting

on the egg. Don't disturb the hen that is

sitting on the egg! Danny Drinkwater, a terrific season. An

incredible season. He has got everything. He is a

workaholic. He is creative. He has got everything you need in the

modern day to play at the top level. He has proved it every game this

season. Today he showed the same application and desire that he did

in the first day of the season in a game where he did not have to. He is

trying to get in the England squad, but he should be one of the first

names in the midfield. He capped a wonderful display with a great goal.

It is not just about that, it is about what he brings in all the

other areas, his energy, his discipline, to play that role. A lot

of people don't understand how difficult it can be. Playing in a

free is much easier. He could do more here, because he is capable,

but what a strike it is. Should he be in the England squad? Yes, 100%.

Yes, he should be. We have made the same mistakes over the years with

gambling on players who we think may well be fit. In that position, there

are two obvious people, Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson. Danny

Drinkwater deserves to go ahead of Jack Wilshere, because he has been

magnificent all season, where Jack Wilshere has had one start, that is

not enough. There is not another English midfielder who has had as

good a season. Ellie Ali, maybe. They have been the best two by a

mile. The golden boot is done, you gave it away a bit earlier, but it

has gone to Harry Kane, well done, a terrific achievement. Another

magnificent season. He must start in the European Championships? Yes, he

is the number one striker, he will start. I could not agree more.

Especially after his start, he did not score. I have milked it, but

final word on Leicester City? They came from behind again, they don't

like losing. Staggering, absolutely staggering, brilliant. Their

performance today, it epitomises their mentality. It was like they

needed to win. That is good! Watford said farewell to their departing

manager against a Sunderland team still celebrating another great

escape after beating Everton in midweek.

It is sure to be an emotional goodbye for KK Sanchez Flores, the

outgoing boss, he steered his side to safety with time to spare, but

the time has run out after a slump in form since Christmas. His final

team shows three changes from that region at Norwich, Nathan Ake and

Sebastian Prodl return, Adlene Guedioura starts in midfield. Sam

Allardyce has made nine changes, with the pressure off. Rees

Greenwood and Tommy Robredo make their debuts, Duncan Watmore leads

the line, Jermain Defoe on the bench.

Just wide. He thought he had hit the target, so did many in the crowd.

Almen Abdi, a nice turn, but the Finnish shave the woodwork.

They saved by Heurelho Gomes. The slip from Sebastian Prodl,

Sunderland get another chance. Jack Rodwell is there, Sunderland score.

On his 50th appearance. He gives the visitors the lead. They have a

couple of opportunities. The crucial slip in the Watford backline enables

Jeremain Lens to set it up. His first goal of this season,

Sunderland are in front at Vicarage Road. Even with a hugely changed

side you can see the maturity and calmness in the Sunderland team.

They have only lost once since the end of February, and that against

the champions. The flag is up on the near side, it is offside. Duncan

Watmore is denied a quickfire second. How close was this? Very

close. The header is in. Sebastian Prodl.

The Austrian defender gives the manager something to smile about on

his final day. Sunderland feel it is a foul on John O'Shea. Watch him

make the run across. There is a little touch before the header. It

is well directed and into the net, and Watford are level.

It is turned behind for another corner. Better from Watford at the

start of the second half. Watford scored from their last corner, what

can they do from this one? Joy Deeney tangling in a box.

Finally away. Lens is on marketing the middle. Duncan Watmore finds

Lens. And he can finish it. Sunderland back into the lead.

Jeremy -- Lens puts Sam Allardyce's men back in front. It squirms

underneath Heurelho Gomes. Duncan Watmore's rake and well finished by

Lens. -- break. Two goals inside the first ten minutes of the second

half. Ighalo turns in the penalty area. Nathan Ake. Good save.

Pickford was stretching and denying Watford the equaliser. A touch over

from Pickford. Chance for the youngster to have an

opportunity. Winning a free kick here.

Kone and O'Shea were up there. And it has beaten them all and it's

headed in. But it's offside. End or Azurite N'Doye was there. Sunderland

are denied a third goal. Troy Deeney with a lay-off. Clash of bodies, and

he has given a spot kick. Kevin Friend thought long and hard about

that and then he pointed to the spot. There is a high boot in there

from the Sunderland defender. But how much contact was there? Perhaps

an arm raised from O'Shea. The third challenge from the skipper. Troy

Deeney has been back in the goals of late and he has the chance to level

the scores on the hour mark at Vicarage Road. Watford are level. He

is the talismans of this club. 15th goal of the season. Five in 54 Troy

Deeney, and these fans hope it's not goodbye after today. Three goals

inside the first 15 minutes of the second half. That one was never in

doubt when the spot kick was awarded.

The Watford fans wanted to give their fans a good sendoff after

their first good season in the Premier League was doubly matched

them every step of the way. The sad thing was some of the officials'

decisions today. We had victories that away from us by of those

decisions. Are you sad? Of course I'm sensitive. I have memories for

these fans and players and stadium. But it's life. If you hours and

days, I will think about the future. Sunderland have been in the bottom

three for the whole year. But they have come up and Sam Allardyce

hailed as a great manager, which he is. But we have seemingly coasted

through the season, never really flirting with relegation, and our

gaffer has been sacked. One of those crazy ones. STUDIO: We will come to

that shortly. Sunderland have recruited brilliantly in the winter,

which Big Sam must get a lot of credit for. Miraculous once again.

Sam has done a great job. They got him in at the right time. They

brought in players like Wahbi Khazri, N'Doye, Kerch off. And Kone

has scored as well. Recruitment was difficult, but it's getting the

players up to speed as well. The Premier League is more physical than

other leagues and quicker. It's getting these players up to speed as

well, and he did that in no time whatsoever. He's done a magnificent

job in keeping Sunderland in the league. What about the dismissal of

Flores this week? It's hard to comprehend and work out the

thinking. He said he is sad. I'm sad because I like him. He got his team

organised, playing decent football. They want on a bad run at the end of

the season, but that happens. They have never been near relegation.

They got to the semifinal of the FA Cup and I don't think one Watford

supporter would want change. It's crazy, I don't understand why you

would get rid of him. Agreed, barmy. Enough said. To make games to

finish. West Brom against Europa League finalists Liverpool coming

up. Firstly go to Goodison Park. Everton sacked Roberto Martinez on

Thursday and they face a Norwich side who relegated midweek.

COMMENTATOR: A 414th and last appearance for American Tim Howard

who leaves Goodison Park after ten years of calling it home. He will

play for the Colorado Rapids in the MLS. Teenagers Tom Davies and Kieran

Powell make their full debuts as under 19 coach David Unsworth takes

full charge. Steven Naismith returns to Goodison for the first time since

leaving in January. Matt Jarvis and Cameron Jerome come in for the

Canaries. Dispossessed by Gareth Barry. Lukaku

once it in his power. He gets away from Martin. John Ruddy with the

save. Mirallas. Lukaku again and John Ruddy denies Everton. Two good

saves from the former Everton man. Barry Ferguson Romelu Lukaku, and

when the rebound came to the striker, he was again foiled by

Roddy. -- Barry found Romelu Lukaku. Graham Dorrans into Cameron Jerome.

It was comfortable for Howard in the end. There is a nice flow to this

match now. Kieran Powell comes forward with possession. McCarthy!

What a strike that is from James McCarthy. His second goal of the

season. And what a goal that is. Surely a late contender for

Everton's goal of the season. It breaks for McCarthy and he lashes it

past John Ruddy. Exceptional strike. No way through for Brady. Lukaku.

Waiting for the run of Devin Morales who might be through here. Into the

side netting. Terrific play here from the two Belgians. Lukaku waits

for Mirallas to time his run. Everton looking good to get another

goal to add to the one they already have.

Pinto gets ahead of Mirallas. Norwich corner.

Cleared as far as Dorrans. Plenty forward for Norwich. Deflection,

appeals for handball but Lee Mason isn't interested. The ball is driven

in, flies up and hits the arm of Tom Davies. Clearly not a penalty.

Really nice play from Romelu Lukaku. Davies. Barry in towards Lukaku. Was

he caught in the area? He was. Penalty kick. Foul by Robbie Brady,

bringing down Lukaku. Everton has the chance to double their lead.

Pulled from Brady and Lukaku goes down. Leighton Baines, reliable from

the penalty spot. 2-0. Leighton Baines has scored in successive home

matches now. As we approach our time, Norwich already look like a

beaten team. 16 successful penalties out of 17 in the Premier League for

Leighton Baines. Kieran Dowell has options either

side. McCarthy. In by Kenny. Mirallas! 3-0. So, so easy for

Everton. Kevin Mirallas gets his sixth goal of the season. He scored

at Leicester last weekend. Now he has surely earned all three points

for Everton. Mirallas on the right of your picture must have been

miffed when the ball was played through to him. You can see him

express some frustration. But as it was delivered across the penalty

area, the simplest of chances. The Belgian international makes it 3-0,

and surely all three points. This may well be the only occasion David

Unsworth manages Everton. I'm sure he has enjoyed every single second

of it. Picked up by Brady and well saved by

Howard, getting down smartly at his near post to block with his leg.

Suddenly there is a bit of fight about Norwich. The first real save

of note Tim Howard has had to make on his farewell appearance for

Everton. This is a place I love. So hard to

leave. I'm excited about the new chapter but you have to understand,

I do miss every day for a decade and it's so hard to leave. The proudest

day of my life. It's an honour to be asked by the chairman. One game, 100

games, nobody can take that away from me and I will remember it for

the rest of my life. I know that whoever gets this job will be a very

lucky man because it's a wonderful football club. Since the day we went

down we have been doing a lot in the background. There will be a lot of

discussions to be had and we need to make sure we have a clear direction

of where we are going. We will see who will come with us.

West Brom unchanged for the third game running with 17-year-old

Jonathan Leto starting again. As expected, all chains for Liverpool.

The big one in Basel in mind, a different starting XI to the midweek

draw against Chelsea including a first Premier League appearance

since December for Adam Bogdan. Henderson and Danny Ings back from

injury and they are on the bench. Stewart has to be careful with Craig

Gardner hunting around. Brannigan turned Joe Allen. Sloppy pass,

straight to Leko. Good stuff from Leko on the rampage. Angle is

against Rondon, but he's still scores. West Brom's top scorer this

season gets the opener, but how about the work from the youngster?

Leko only turned 17 last month, and he's already turning heads.

Wonderful work from him to find Rondon, and the Venezuelan blasts

beyond box damned for his 10th of the season. -- beyond Adam Bogdan.

Tony Pulis is going to have, say Sinn with Jeremy Peace next week

about his contract. His current deal runs out next summer.

Bit of a dart from Brannigan. Would have been a fabulous goal from the

youngster. A first Premier League start for the 20-year-old today.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight games in the

Premier League. Jordan Ibe in a bit of space here. Jordan Ibe invited to

come forward. Still... And wonderful goal from Jordan Ibe to draw

Liverpool level. It's his first ever strike in the Premier League. It

puts a smile back on Jurgen Klopp's fakes. Although I don't think Tony

Pulis will be too happy with the way West Brom backed off and invited

Jordan Ibe forward. Nobody went to the ball, and he said, thank you

very much. It took a slight deflection on its way in, which made

it tough for Ben Foster. West Brom 1-1 Liverpool. Despite the

eight-game winless run, a victory for West Brom today would see them

eat their points total from last season. -- beat their points total.

Craig Gardner with the free kick. Not a bad delivery. Rondon, off the

post and over the top by Rondon. What an opportunity for his second

of the game. Liverpool have had problems dealing with set pieces all

season. They were very nearly undone there. Following the recent verdicts

which found the victims of the Hillsborough disaster were

unlawfully killed, West Brom have replaced 96 blue seats in the away

end with red ones that will remain unoccupied and carry a name of each

of the victims. Salomon Rondon could not quite get

the touch. He ended a barren run at Bournemouth last weekend. He already

has one today, he could easily have had a hat-trick.

A clattering challenge, it will be a West Brom corner. The first touch

was not the best, he allowed Lucas to nip in.

It is a corner, but it should be another goal for the Venezuelan.

We created not enough real chances at the end. We could have done a bit

better, but I am fine with the game, I think it is OK. We were safe after

we beat Manchester United, with eight games to go. We were hoping

them to push on, but it has been that way. Quite a few games where we

needed the second goal, and we have created the chances, as we have done

today, but we have not been able to put them away. We are disappointed

with the chances we had that we have not scored the second goal. You have

tried to keep your focus on today's game, everybody has tried to talk

about the Europa League final, but now you can focus on that game. Of

course, this game is over, now we can look at it. We can prepare the

team for Wednesday. It starts when we are on the bus.

11 changes for Liverpool, a European final in midweek, understandable.

Yes, that is their priority. There has not been as much improvement in

the league as he would have liked, but there is an excuse, Wednesday

night. He will be instantaneously judged on that result, if they win

he will be the hero, but it is not his side yet. No, he has used more

players than anybody else this season, 34, so he is looking at what

he has got. They got to the League Cup final. A big night on Wednesday,

Champions League would be very helpful in persuading players to

come as well. As we saw in the Everton game, a welcome victory at

the end of the season, what did you think of Roberto Martinez's

dismissal? With that squad, the expected to win a trophy this year.

We saw the performance against Leicester City and Sunderland, that

told the story. Who do we think is most likely to get the job? A bit of

betting? Yes, the favourite leaving this job on Monday, it seemed

coincidental. No problem there with him being the favourite. Ronald

Koeman would be a surprise. Will he be looking for even bigger and

better things than Everton? Not being disrespectful, but he is a

very good manager, he might be looking at a top Champions League

club. It has come to that time, we will decide the goal of the season.

You have voted, over 100,000 of you. They were the top three. It boils

down to you to decide our winner from those three. We have agreed!

That is a shame, I was going to get the... Dele Alli. A brilliant goal.

Three bits of glass. Two great touches and the finish. The other

contenders, it is just one technical bit of skill. But three is

fantastic. What a goal! Sensational control

from Dele Alli. Christian Eriksen the header back, brie and control,

and what a volley. It is one of the goals of the season.

Well done. It was a breeze for Leicester City in the end, they

complete the season with a ten point winning margin. Arsenal's highest

finish for 11 years. Southampton into the Europa League, West Ham

joined them if Manchester United win the FA Cup will stop the relegation

places were already decided, Aston Villa's record as ever present in

the Premier League has come to an end. Let's take a look at Monday's

headlines. The daily Mirror among several papers to lead with the

dummy explosive device mistakenly left at Old Trafford. Manchester

United will now have to play four days before the FA Cup final. Wine,

not champagne, with rival managers lamenting their teens' shortcomings.

That is it, what an extraordinary season it has been. I suppose I had

better get ready for next season! Good night.

A new season, a new Iraq. What a start to the new season for

Leicester City! Desire, resilience, skill and drive.

Jamie Vardy has permit a game for Leicester City.

Jamie Vardy has done it again. Nobody can stop Jamie Vardy. An

extraordinary run of form. Jamie Vardy has done it! Jamie

Vardy's place in Premier League history is assured.

This really is a team. It just goes on and on with these fabulous,

unfathomable Foxes. What a screamer!

They are going to the top of the pile above every other team in the

land. Magnificently done by Leonardo

Ulloa. Leicester City level.

It is over to Tottenham Hotspur. Eden Hazard, what a goal!

The champions have seen out their ultimate season in bags and bags of

style. This could be

the game of the season. There's going to be fireworks.

A repeat of the 1990 final. What do you mean, Wigan

aren't playing, cocker?!