Monday 25 May 2015 07:09, UK
Hull City have been relegated from the Premier League, with Newcastle United surviving on a nail-biting final day of the season.
Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over West Ham was a personal fairytale for Jonas Gutierrez, who, having won his battle with cancer, booked himself a place in Newcastle folklore. He set up United’s first goal on 54 minutes for Moussa Sissoko with a brilliant cross, and then scored the second himself on 85 minutes.
Newcastle’s victory meant Hull were down no matter what their result was, and although they battered bravely at Manchester United’s door at the KC Stadium, they were held to a 0-0 draw.
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were both on the scoresheet in their Premier League farewells, but they had wildly contrasting afternoons ahead of their departure to America and the MLS.
Gerrard’s Liverpool were hammered 6-1 by Stoke City, five of Stoke’s goals coming in an embarrassing first half at the Britannia Stadium. Gerrard pulled one back on 70 minutes, a goal saluted by both sets of fans.
Mame Biram Diouf got the rout of Liverpool underway with a tap-in on 22 minutes and then added a second on 26 minutes with a powerful shot that went straight through the hands of hapless Simon Mignolet.
Diouf then set up the third for Jonathan Walters, who lashed in his 50th Premier League goal. Charlie Adam got No 4 after robbing Lucas as Liverpool conceded four goals in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time. And it soon got worse, as Stevan N’Zonzi scored a belter just before half-time.
Gerrard then scored his goal on 70 minutes, but Peter Crouch had the final word, breaking Alan Shearer’s record for headed goals in the Premier League with his 47th, with four minutes left. It was Liverpool's worst defeat since the 7-2 hammering dished out by Tottenham in 1963.
Lampard, meanwhile, scored the first in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Southampton, Sergio Aguero scoring the second late on.
Liverpool and Tottenham, who beat Everton 1-0 courtesy of Harry Kane’s goal, secured qualification for the Europa League, and Saints, who finish in seventh place, must hope Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final to join them.
Theo Walcott scored a first-half hat-trick as Arsenal thumped West Brom 4-1 at the Emirates. His first, just four minutes in, was a superb finish and the second came 10 minutes later. Jack Wilshere added the third with a spectacular half-volley, before Walcott tapped his hat-trick goal on 37 minutes. Gareth McAuley pulled one back in the second half with a header from a corner.
Champions Chelsea lifted the Premier League trophy after beating Sunderland 3-1. Steven Fletcher put the visitors ahead on 26 minutes – his first goal in 26 games. Didier Drogba, in his final match for Chelsea, was injured and chaired off the pitch by most of his team-mates. His replacement, Diego Costa, levelled with a penalty on 37 minutes, his 20th of the season.
Loic Remy scored the second on 70 minutes, with the assist going to Eden Hazard, and the French striker added the third in the dying minutes. John Terry, who played every minute of every Premier League match this season, was then able to lift the trophy.
Leicester hammered QPR 5-1 to finish their rollercoaster season on a high. Jamie Vardy got them up and running on 16 minutes, before Marc Albrighton (43), with a superb shot, Leonardo Ulloa (51), with a lucky deflection, and Esteban Cambiasso (52) made it 4-0.
Charlie Austin pulled one back, nodding in from a whipped Joey Barton free-kick, but Andrej Kramaric had the last word on 86 minutes. It was an inglorious end to Rangers’ season – they finish bottom of the table.
Danny Ings scored the only goal of the game – and possibly his last for Burnley – as the Clarets finished the season with a 1-0 win over an Aston Villa team which seemed to have the FA Cup final on its mind.
Ings, who is expected to leave Turf Moor this summer, scored his 11th goal of the season after just six minutes.
Marouane Chamakh scored the only goal of the game as Crystal Palace beat Swansea City 1-0 and they finish in 10th place - with their highest Premier League points total - and the Swans in eighth.
Premier League final day results
