Mixed emotions characterised the final day of the Premier League season as Manchester United and Chelsea qualified for the UEFA Champions League next season, while Watford and Bournemouth were both relegated.
Manchester United travelled to Leicester needing just one point to secure a top-four finish. The Foxes, who had been in the UEFA Champions League space all season, capitulated. United goals by Bruno Fernandes – via a well-drilled penalty – and Jesse Lingard late in the game meant Leicester lost 0-2 to at home and finished fifth in the league. United shot to third on the Premier League table, while Chelsea beat Wolves at home 2-0, to finish fourth.
Leicester will now play in the Europa League group stages along with Tottenham who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace to leapfrog Wolves on goal difference into sixth. Wolves’ hopes of a top-four season finish were finally dashed as they ended in seventh place.
“I am delighted with the performance going up against a Wolves team that have a lot of quality and are really difficult to play against,” Lampard told Sky Sports.
“I just thought the discipline of the team was brilliant. We know that clean sheets have been a problem for us but [I was pleased with] the way that they have defended right until the end. Mason’s strike was pure quality and Olivier Giroud did what he has been doing for us through this period. I am really proud of the team today. They have worked hard for that this year.”
Wolves might still get into Europe if Chelsea beat Arsenal in the FA Cup finals and that might throw them into the second qualifying-round place, a place Arsenal will take if they beat Chelsea. The Gunners beat Watford 3-2 at home to continue their fine form ahead of the Cup finals.
There was more drama in the relegation battles as Watford needed the results elsewhere to favour them following their loss to Arsenal but Aston Villa survived with a brave 1-1 draw at West Ham and despite Bournemouth’s spirited 3-1 win at Everton, it was Watford and Bournemouth who join Norwich in the Championships League.
Watford captain Deeney told Sky Sports: “You’ve got to look at the bigger picture. It’s not today, it’s not last week, it’s a reflection of the whole year.
“We’ve not quite been good enough at both ends of the pitch and it showed again today.
“It’s frustrating, it’s disappointing, and it’s heart-breaking for the people who work behind the scenes, so we feel sorry for them.
“I’ll take the stick with regards to what comes, social media-wise, but the harsh reality is that those people will probably lose their jobs because we haven’t been good enough.
“As players, we have to stand up, take that, and as a club and a community we’ll go again.
“Individually and collectively, we haven’t been good enough. From top to bottom, we’ll do an audit. We’ll look at where we’re at, and we’ll reassess.”
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