1. Man City stumble over the line
IN MANY WAYS, today’s game was a fitting end to Manchester City’s season.
The Etihad outfit managed to do the bare minimum required to all but seal fourth place at the expense of bitter rivals Man United, drawing 1-1 with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium while a misplaced target of a bomb disposal training exercise meant United have to wait until Tuesday to see out their season.
There was a lack of conviction and energy about City, particularly in the second half, and these failings have characterised a season in which they have all too often flattered to deceive, despite winning the Capital One Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time.
It was therefore no surprise when — after the match — Manuel Pellegrini finally alluded to the Pep Guardiola announcement that was made midway through the season, acknowledging that it had changed the “atmosphere” within the club.
2. Spurs implode
On one level, Spurs’ defeat at Newcastle today wasn’t all that important.
Tottenham still get an automatic Champions League spot and they have still made enormous strides over the course of the campaign, with a host of extremely talented youngsters in their squad coming of age.
However, in a not too dissimilar situation to Liverpool’s 6-1 thrashing by Stoke last season, the manner of the loss at St James’ Park this afternoon could potentially be damaging for Spurs in the long-term, from a morale viewpoint more than anything else.
The Reds’ loss at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season felt like the beginning of the end for Brendan Rodgers, as Liverpool never looked fully convincing under his leadership the following season, ultimately leading to his sacking.
And while Pochettino is in a far healthier position than the Northern Irish manager was this time last year, the way in which his team have thrown away second place, picking up just two points from their final four games, must be a big concern.
The Argentine coach highlighted the need for Spurs to strengthen in the summer before today’s game, and that assertion was emphatically reinforced amid the 5-1 collapse against a 10-man Newcastle side who were coming off the back of a demoralising midweek relegation.
3. Remarkable end to the season for Southampton
Southampton ended their season in style today with a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.
And the Saints could finish as highly as fifth if Man United lose to Bournemouth in their rearranged fixture, which has been confirmed to take place at 8pm this Tuesday.
Either way, it is a remarkable outcome for a club that at one point this season appeared to be seriously struggling, as they endured a six game winless run starting on 21 November and ending on 26 December.
Yet since Christmas, the Saints have been magnificent — losing just one and winning seven of their last 10 matches — and Ronald Koeman’s side can go into next season full of optimism with a Europa League place secured today.
4. Leicester end season in fitting fashion
There were nice scenes at Stamford Bridge earlier, as Chelsea fans showed their respect to Leicester and in particular, former manager Claudio Ranieri.
Moreover, against the team whose Premier League title they have taken, Leicester played with the same enthusiasm and character they have demonstrated throughout the season.
Danny Drinkwater’s 82nd-minute equaliser cancelled out Cesc Fabregas’ 66th-minute penalty, and it was fantastic to see Leicester desperately pushing for a winner even in what was effectively a meaningless end-of-season game.
Over the course of 38 fixtures, the Foxes have lost just three of their matches, and they have finished the season a massive 10 points ahead of second place Arsenal.
Consequently, the size of Leicester’s title-winning margin is rare in Premier League history, yet few would argue that it in anyway exaggerates how much better they have been than all their rivals.
Updated 22.40 after police revealed the origin of the Old Trafford bomb scare.
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