EPL review: Relegated Newcastle derail Spurs hope of finishing ahead of Arsenal

– Olivier Giroud scored three times to help Arsenal leapfrog their north London rival against relegated Villa
– Spurs suffered a humiliating defeat to Newcastle to finish behind Arsenal yet again
– Everton finally put in a superb performance to record an emphatic win against relegated Norwich
– Substitute Diouf dents the Hammers European hopes with a late winner
– Resurgent Southampton thumped Crystal Palace to secure a Europa League place

NAIJ.com sports brings you a dramatic final day of the 2015-16 season, where Arsenal gazumped their fierce local rival Tottenham Hotspur to finish second in the league after their miserable loss to Newcastle and Man City secure fourth Champions League place.

Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa

Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick helped the Gunners to leapfrog their north London rivals Spurs into second place in the Premier League table.

The Gunners victory, coupled with Spurs trouncing at the St. James’s Park by Newcastle, ensured Wenger’s men finish above their rivals yet again.

Giroud’s close–range header handed his side an early lead, before doubling up midway through the second-half. He completed his hat-trick within minutes, before Mikel Arteta’s late effort was diverted into his own net by Mark Bunn.

Swansea 1-1 Manchester City

Manchester City scrapped into next season’s Champions League with a draw at Swansea City to secure fourth place in the Premier League because of a vastly superior goal difference to United, even if they win their postponed match against Bournemouth.

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Iheanacho gave City an early lead, before Andre Ayew’s 12th EPL goal this term via a deflected free-kick in first-half stoppage time restored parity.

Aguero failed to overhaul Tottenham’s Harry Kane for the Golden Boot that could have been his second consecutive one in the Premier League.

Newcastle 5-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham blew their opportunity to finish above Arsenal for the first time since 1995 with total capitulation at St. James’s Park, failing to gain the solitary point needed to retain their second spot, even though they played against 10 men for over 23 minutes.

Gini Wijnaldum slotted home the opener from Mitrovic’s lay-off after a good build-up play. Aleksander Mitrovic powered Newcastle to a two-goal lead with a fine header from Sissoko’s cross going to the half-time break.

Erik Lamella reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute with a shot from out wide that keeper Karl Darlow should have saved.

Mitrovic got his matching orders after 67 minutes for a shin-high stamp on Kyle Walker, raising hope of retaining their spot. But it was the home side that got the next goal when Wijnaldum doubled his tally with a penalty after Eriksen tripped Sissoko in the box.

Rolando Aarons made the score-line unassailable with the fourth for Newcastle before Janmaat sealed the rout with the fifth. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was forced to apologise to Spurs fans, labelling the defeat as his worst day as a manager.

“I apologise to our families that suffered behind us. It is difficult to arrive home and explain what happened here. I’m very disappointed, i think it was my worst day as a manager,” he lamented.

Southampton 4-1 Crystal Palace

FA Cup finalists, Crystal Palace got a thumping from Southampton, who finished the season in style to qualify for the Europa League next season.

Sadio Mane’s lofted effort into the unguarded Crystal Palace net started the rout. Pelle put the home side further ahead with a trademark hanging header from Martina’s cross.

Jason Puncheon halved the deficit three minutes later with a clean left-foot strike, before Mane won a penalty that was tucked away by Bertrand.

Steve Davis completed the rout with a crisp finish from Graziano Pelle’s chest-down.

Stoke City 2-1 West Ham

Stoke come from behind to dent the Hammers hopes of a European place, with Diouf netting the winner. The striker stepped off the bench to score two minutes from time and inflict a painful defeat on the Hammers.

All is not lost though, as they must hop Manchester United beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup to secure Europa League football grace their relocation to the Olympic Stadium.

The away side got off to a flying start when Michail Antonio fired into the bottom corner from Stoke’s failure to clear a corner.

Giannelli Imbula restored parity 10 minutes after the break, before the home side took the lead and the three points on offer when Diouf escaped his marker to head home.

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester

Leicester City received a guard of honour from last season’s Champions, Chelsea. Even Roman Abramovich offered a warm embrace and congratulations to the first manager he sacked at Chelsea.

Claudio Ranieri’s team did not disappoint either, equalising with a fantastic 30 yard strike worthy of Champions.

Fabregas opened the scoring from the spot after Matic was brought down by Schlupp before Danny Drinkwater drew the Champions level eight minutes from time with thumping 30 yard shot that dipped across Courtois and into the corner of the net.

Everton 3-0 Norwich

Everton produced one of their best performances of the season to record an emphatic victory in the season finale under caretaker boss David Unsworth and Joe Royle.

They produced lots of performances like this under their sacked manager Roberto Martinez, but not enough results from them, leading to his dismissal.

Dowell opened the scoring with a first time finish inside Ruddy’s left-hand post to mark his debut.
Everton fortuitously doubled their lead when Lukaku was adjudged to be fouled in the box, with Baines tucking in the resulting penalty by sending Ruddy the wrong way.

Kevin Mirallas sealed the comfortable victory when left unmarked to covert at the back post after a fine team combination play.

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