Premier League Roundup, Matchday 38
The Premier League has finished its 38th round of matches, which included thrilling games, impressive player displays, and surprising results. Here is a recap of the events that occurred during matchday 38 in the Premier League.
Sheffield United 0-3 Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur ensured their spot in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League for the upcoming season by defeating Sheffield United 3-0 at Bramall Lane. This loss extended Sheffield United’s winless streak to 14 Premier League matches. Ultimately, Spurs achieved the desired outcome and secured fifth place with a strong win. On the other hand, Sheffield United will return to the Championship after a lackluster performance in another disappointing day in the Premier League.
Manchester City 3-1 West Ham
Manchester City made history by becoming the first team in English football to win four consecutive league titles. Pep Guardiola’s team secured their eighth Premier League crown by defeating West Ham at the Etihad Stadium. City’s control of possession prevented any major threats from their opponents. Guardiola’s squad now sets their sights on the FA Cup final against Manchester United as they aim to achieve a second consecutive double.
Luton 2-4 Fulham
Luton Town was officially demoted to the Championship after losing 4-2 to Fulham at Kenilworth Road. As the game neared its end, the pace slowed down as both teams received yellow cards. The match reflected Luton’s season, they posed challenges for their opponents but struggled defensively and lacked efficiency in scoring goals. Despite their financial limitations compared to other teams, they can take pride in their efforts. Fulham finished the season in 13th place, which can be considered a decent outcome after a turbulent pre-season.
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Jürgen Klopp’s final game as Liverpool’s manager, his 491st, concluded with a win, his 299th victory since taking over the team. The Reds secured a 2-0 victory against Wolves in the Premier League. Liverpool maintained their two-goal lead until the end of the match, marking a comfortable win for Klopp. Despite competing on multiple fronts during the season, Liverpool only managed to secure one trophy, which was somewhat disappointing. Wolves finished the season in 14th place, one spot lower than the previous year’s 13th position. Despite a challenging start to the season and limited squad investment, Gary O’Neill can be satisfied with his team’s efforts.
Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace defeated Aston Villa 5-0 on the final day of the Premier League, marking their fourth consecutive home win for the first time since 1990. Palace have only lost one of their last seven final day matches, and they ended the game with a spectacular fifth goal. Eze scored from 20 yards out after a clever one-two with Mateta, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans. Despite the disappointing day for Aston Villa, Emery is not overly worried about his team, as they have the opportunity to continue building on their European success in the club’s promising future.
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Chelsea secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, ensuring they will be competing in continental football next season. Fans are now hoping for a Manchester City win in the FA Cup final, which would upgrade Chelsea to the UEFA Europa League. Despite their loss to Chelsea, Bournemouth, who finished 12th, can celebrate Andoni Iraola’s contract extension after improving on their 15th-place finish from the previous season.
Burnley 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest secured consecutive away wins in the top-flight for the first time since April 1995 by defeating Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor. This loss marked Burnley’s failure to win more than two home games in a season for the first time in their history. Despite Vincent Kompany’s team staying competitive and reducing the deficit with a deflected goal from Josh Cullen, it was merely a consolation as Burnley ultimately lost without much resistance. Even with a points deduction, Forest avoided relegation and ended their regular league season with a victory for the first time since 2018/19.
Brighton 0-2 Manchester United
Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure as manager of Brighton came to a disappointing end with a 2-0 loss to Manchester United at the Amex Stadium. Despite the defeat, Manchester United’s first-ever finish outside the Premier League’s top-seven was not prevented. In the final minutes, United managed to score a second goal through Højlund, preventing them from falling below a sub-60 point total for the second time in three years. While this result had some positive aspects, it was still a mixed outcome. The focus now shifts to the upcoming all-Manchester FA Cup final next Saturday, which could have implications for Erik ten Hag’s future as manager.
Brentford 2-4 Newcastle
Newcastle managed to hold off a strong second-half comeback from Brentford to secure a 4-2 victory on the road, marking their fifth consecutive win against their opponents. This win ensured Newcastle finished the Premier League season in seventh place. With their seventh-place finish, Newcastle’s chances of qualifying for European competitions now depend on the outcome of the FA Cup final involving Manchester City. On the other hand, Brentford concluded their season in 16th place with a total of 39 points.
Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Arsenal won 2-1 against Everton on the final day of the Premier League season, but Manchester City’s victory over West Ham meant that Arsenal missed out on their first PL title in twenty years. The decisive goal came in the 89th minute when Gabriel Jesus intercepted a pass from Ashley Young and set up Havertz to score. Despite winning their sixth consecutive game, Arsenal fell short of clinching the title. Everton, on the other hand, experienced their first loss in six matches.
