A dramatic finish to the 2020/2021 English Premier League season saw Liverpool and Chelsea secure places in next season’s Champions League, as Leicester City fail short once again.
A Sadio Mane double against Crystal Palace at Anfield gave Liverpool a 2-0 win, sending them to the third position. Most people had written off Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for the champions league coming into the month of May.
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 at Aston Villa, but yet had their champions league place assured by a late Tottenham rally to beat Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester led Tottenham Hotspur twice only to lose 4-2 to wind up finishing fifth, while guaranteeing the visitors a place in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, at the expense of Arsenal.
Brendan Rodgers’ side will play Europa League football next season, a competition they already qualified for by virtue of their FA cup triumph.
Kane’s goal against Leicester means he finished as the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner with 23 goals, as Mohamed Salah failed to goal against Palace.
Arsenal finished eight as Nicolas Pepe struck twice to give them a 2-0 victory over Brighton, missing out on European competition next season.
The two Manchester clubs with their positions already secured were victorious in their respective matches.
A young Manchester United side beat Wolves 2-1 at Molineux, with Elanga scoring the first goal, his first premier league goal for the club, and Mata scoring the second.
Manchester City put 5 goals past Everton, conceding none at the Etihad stadium. S. Aguero came in as a substitute to score twice in what is arguable his last premier league game for Manchester City.
West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce also lost his final match in the Baggies dugout. Rodrigo and England hopefuls Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford gave Leeds a 3-1 win.
Leeds legend Pablo Hernandez was given a farewell by the fans, as he was substituted in the 70th minute. The fans sang his name from then onwards till the end of the match, leaving the veteran midfielder wiping tears after tears from his eyes.
Joe Willock struck yet again as Newcastle won 2-0 against Fulham, while bottom side Sheffield United clawed back some pride with a final day victory over Burnley.
Sheffield United took a final bow out of the premier league with a 1-0 victory over Burnley.
West Ham United rounded up an impressive season with a qualification for Europa League next season, securing a 3-0 victory over Southampton.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
