Arsene Wenger has missed out on a top four finish for the first time in his Arsenal career, despite his team defeating Everton 3-1 with just 10 men. The Gunners chances of finishing in the top four was out of their hands as they needed Liverpool to either draw or lose or Manchester City to drop all three points, in order to grab a Champions League spot.
However, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's teams picked up wins, with Liverpool beating already-relegated Middlesbrough 3-0, while City thumped Watford 5-0.
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Middlesbrough fought hard but just not hard enough as Georginio Wijnaldum gave the Reds the lead right before the break. A second and a third goal followed as soon as the second half started to end this match as a contest and end Arsenal's chances of a top four finish.
Philippe Coutinho once again impressed for Liverpool, as the Brazilian doubled Liverpool's lead from a beautiful freekick. Five minutes later Liverpool were on the counter and they broke in numbers and Wijnaldum found Adam Lallana and the England International made no mistake as he made it 3-0 and at this point confirmed Liverpool's fourth place finish.
As for Arsenal, despite their best efforts, they had to settle for a fifth place finish and are set to play in the Europa League next season. Hector Bellerin gave Arsenal the lead in the eight minute as he fired his shot into the bottom corner.
Despite that early goal Arsenal suffered a big blow in the 14th minute as Laurent Koscielny was sent off for a rash tackle on Enner Valencia. However, the Arsenal players did not let that affect them, as Alexis Sanchez doubled their lead in the 27th minute. Everton did get a goal back in the second half as Nacho Monreal gave away a penalty which Romelu Lukaku converted.
Arsenal seemed happy to hold on to their one-goal lead after Everton got one back, before Aaron Ramsey sealed the three points for the Gunners in stoppage time with a beautiful curling effort. Despite Arsenal missing out on the top four for the first time under Wenger, the Gunners still have a chance to salvage something from their season, as they could still win the FA Cup next weekend.
Manchester City were also in the fight for the final two Champions League spots along with Arsenal and Liverpool, but the chances of them slipping up against a struggling Watford was unlikely. However, Guardiola and his players, who only needed only a draw, did not leave anything to chance as they hammered Watford.
They sealed their third spot finish in the Premier League in the first half, as Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho and a Sergio Aguero brace gave Pep Guardiola and his men a four goal lead.
Gabriel Jesus continued the scoring early on in the second half to ensure Walter Mazzarri would have a horrible last day as Watford manager.
In the other results, Harry Kane scored yet another hat-trick as Tottenham hammered Hull City 7-1 in their final game in the Premier League. As a result, Kane reached 29 Premier League goals for Tottenham and also won the Golden Boot in the process.
Dele Alli, Victor Wanyama, Ben Davis and Toby Alderweireld grabbed the other goals for Spurs while Sam Clucas scored a consolation goal for Hull City.
As for the Premier League champions, Chelsea beat bottom most club Sunderland 5-1. Javi Manquillo gave Sunderland the lead in the third minute, but as expected Chelsea got right back into the game.
Willian got them back into the game in the eighth minute. Chelsea would take the lead in the second half thanks to Eden Hazard. Pedro then added a third goal, before Michy Batshuayi scored a brace in stoppage time to make it 5-1.
Premier League results
Arsenal 3-1 Everton, Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough, Watford 0-5 Manchester City, Swansea 2-1 West Brom, Southampton 0-1 Stoke City, Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace, Leicester City 1-1 Bournemouth, Hull City 1-7 Tottenham, Chelsea 5-1 Sunderland, Burnley 1-2 West Ham.
