The Premier League season continued with the latest round of games played over the weekend.
Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions as victory on Friday meant Tottenham – who said goodbye to White Hart Lane with a win over Manchester United – can’t now catch the Blues.
Hull’s relegation was also confirmed as Crystal Palace and Swansea secured safety. City join Middlesbrough – who too make an instant return to the Championship – and Sunderland.
Here’s a round-up of the Premier League action.
Results
Friday 12th May 2017 – PREMIER LEAGUE
Everton 1-0 Watford 19:45
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Chelsea 20:00
Saturday 13th May 2017 – PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester City 2-1 Leicester City 12:30
Bournemouth 2-1 Burnley 15:00
Middlesbrough 1-2 Southampton 15:00
Sunderland 0-2 Swansea City 15:00
Stoke City 1-4 Arsenal 17:30
Sunday 14th May 2017 – PREMIER LEAGUE
Crystal Palace 4-0 Hull City 12:00
West Ham United 0-4 Liverpool 14:15
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United 16:30
One Premier League game on a Friday is unusual enough but two, well, that’s almost unheard of. However, it’ll be a night one set of fans aren’t likely to forget in a hurry.
Firstly though, due to this having the slightly earlier kick off, Everton inflicted more misery on struggling Watford. A solitary goal was enough for the Toffees – a first win in four – to see off the Hornets at Goodison Park. This 1-0 defeat, a fourth straight loss for Walter Mazzarri’s side means they could technically need a result on the final day to topflight secure survival, but they should be safe.
But, it was at the Hawthorns where the main news on Friday evening was made. Chelsea’s, thanks to a late winner to make it four in a row, 1-0 victory over West Brom was enough to secure a fifth Premier League title for the Blues. This was of course a first for Antonio Conte in what could prove to be his only season at Stamford Bridge? Well, if Inter Milan rumours carry water…
Manchester City’s win – a third in a five game unbeaten run – in the visit of Leicester, who saw a bizarre penalty correctly ruled out late on to deny them a point, came at the Etihad Stadium. This 2-1 victory took City, up to third, within touching distance of a confirmed Champions League finish.
A late Bournemouth goal means they are closing in on top-10 finish. Burnley looked to have rescued a point but within a couple of minutes an 85th minute strike meant the Cherries won 2-1 – the Clarets remain with just one victory on their travels.
Second-bottom Middlesbrough, in the wake of confirmed relegation, were beaten 2-1 in the visit of Southampton, up to ninth, behind West Brom on goal difference alone.
The favour Hull wanted Sunderland, having beaten them a week earlier, didn’t come as Swansea’s own survival bid was given a huge boost with a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light. The Swans know a final day win and they’ll stay in the Premier League – survival would be assured if City were beaten by Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Stoke’s poor end of season form saw a sixth defeat in the last 10 suffered when Arsenal left the bet365 Stadium with a 4-1 win to keep the Gunners’ top-four hopes on, closing to within a point of Liverpool, fourth, prior to the Reds’ game on Sunday.
The point Crystal Palace needed to confirm Premier League survival was achieved, and some, with a game to spare when Palace thrashed Hull 4-0 – City’s lunchtime defeat at Selhurst Park on Sunday ensured they would make an instant return to the Championship.
West Ham’s first defeat in six means they’ll do well to secure a top-10 finish. On the other hand, Liverpool took a strong grip on a top-four spot, meaning Champions League football next season, as this 4-0 win at the London Stadium means a victory on the final day, when they face already relegated Middlesbrough, should confirm the Reds, currently third, fourth-place at least.
Tottenham bid farewell to White Hart Lane with a 2-1 win over Manchester United. Already knowing the bid to be champions was over – due to Chelsea’s victory on Friday – Spurs said goodbye to their home of 118 years with all three points to confirm a runners up finish. If United are to play Champions League football next season they MUST beat Ajax in the Europa League final.
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