Key occasions
Ed Aarons
This was the sort of finish‑of‑season match the place there was nearly as a lot curiosity in what was occurring within the stands as on the pitch. Banned from the touchline after choosing up a suspension in opposition to Newcastle final week, Mikel Arteta was seen deep in dialog with the Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke all through as Kieran Tierney signed off with a purpose earlier than he returns to Celtic and Martin Ødegaard broke Southampton’s hearts with a late winner. Learn the complete report:
Ben Fisher
Earlier than kick-off, an enormous banner dangled from the higher tier of the Trent Finish. It was an outsized brown vacationer signal. “Vacation spot: Europe,” it learn. Under that, a flag of a camper van with Nottingham Forest scarves flickering out of the home windows. For Forest, all roads from right here result in the Europa Convention League and never the Champions League, which Chelsea will play in subsequent season after two years away. First, nevertheless, for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, is a visit to Wroclaw, a remaining in opposition to Actual Betis, within the competitors Forest will grace for the primary time subsequent season. Learn the complete report:
Wolves supervisor Vitor Pereira informed the BBC: “Very happy with my gamers, the membership and our supporters.
“We wished to complete with a win, however it was not doable in a superb sport with probabilities for either side. It was a sport we might win, however [Brentford] might have received additionally.
“We misplaced two positions [in the table]. I’m not pleased with this, however I’m very pleased with what we’ve achieved this season since we arrived.
“After the Metropolis sport, we dedicated some errors that weren’t traditional. Typically it appears like we’re not targeted in these moments. We’ve conceded some objectives that we can not concede.”
David Hytner
Brighton wished to lock down eighth place to provide themselves hope of a Uefa Convention League end. They acquired the end result due to a pair of Jack Hinshelwood objectives, a penalty from the substitute, Matt O’Riley, and a cracker from one other substitute, Diego Gómez. Sadly for them, it might not be sufficient by way of the European image, outcomes elsewhere not falling for them. Learn the report:
Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola has reacted to his staff securing third and he speaks within the third particular person as he does so: “This membership has to play within the Champions League, I’ve to play within the Champions League, Pep has to handle the staff within the Champions League, so it’s essential and we’re relieved now to be there as a result of it’s been a tough and tough season. We’re actually blissful.
“We got here again after a very tough interval and we’ve been working by way of it collectively. It’s not been straightforward however we’ve proven nice character. In the long run we’ve come third and we’re relieved, we’re actually blissful. We’re targeted on going into the Membership World Cup in fine condition and to assault that.”
Louise Taylor
For fairly some time the defiant brilliance of Everton’s Jordan Pickford and the attacking excellence of Carlos Alcaraz threatened to derail Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions. In the end, Aston Villa’s defeat at Manchester United enabled Eddie Howe’s staff to stumble into Europe’s showpiece competitors on purpose distinction however this reminder of their fallibility served as a warning that the St James’ Park squad might do with some vital reinforcement. Learn full report:
Norwich Metropolis determine Manning as supervisor goal
Ben Fisher
Norwich Metropolis have recognized Liam Manning as their No 1 goal and are hopeful of appointing the Bristol Metropolis head coach within the coming days.
Norwich are assured of finishing a deal for Manning, who has a launch clause in his contract with the Robins. The 39-year-old performed and coached at Ipswich earlier than becoming a member of West Ham’s academy in 2015. He has since labored at Lommel, MK Dons and Oxford United.
Manning has impressed at Bristol Metropolis, whom he led to the playoffs this season, the membership ending within the Championship high six for the primary time in 17 years. Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, is regarded as an admirer of Manning.
Norwich are additionally thought to have interviewed their former participant and the previous Wolves and Bournemouth supervisor Gary O’Neil about succeeding Johannes Hoff Thorup, who was sacked after a disappointing finish to the season.
The previous Arsenal participant and coach Jack Wilshere took interim cost for Norwich’s remaining two matches of the season however this week he introduced his departure from the membership.
That is Bournemouth’s best-ever Premier League season, however in some way it has not felt prefer it these days. As lately as the tip of February, they have been fifth within the league, eyes firmly fastened on the Champions League locations. However simply two wins from 12 video games earlier than the go to of relegated Leicester extinguished any hope of a primary European marketing campaign for the Cherries subsequent season. Learn the complete report:
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes informed Sky on discovering out the membership had secured Champions League soccer: “I realised that we have been going with the supporters. We celebrated after which I requested the bench and it was 2-0 to Manchester United. It’s an odd feeling as a result of for me, we should always win this sport, we should always win. It was not stunning, however every little thing you’re employed for is once you get Champions League.”
Ipswich bid farewell to their Premier League standing after only one yr again within the high flight with defeat in opposition to West Ham within the remaining sport of the season at Portman Street… It was Ipswich’s ninth consecutive defeat of their dismal season and so they received simply 4 video games, three away – at Tottenham, Wolves and Bournemouth – and only one at house in opposition to Chelsea. In the meantime, West Ham’s season completed with them in 14th place. Learn the complete report:
Now we have a winner on the quiz query and I’ve to confess I did try to throw you off. I mentioned Mo Salah equalled a participant’s report however it was gamers. Kurt, with the profitable reply, says: “The one different gamers to equal Salah for many purpose contributions in a Premier League season are Andrew Cole in 1993/94 with Newcastle United and Alan Shearer om 1994/95 with Blackburn Rovers.”
Villa to lodge grievance
Ben Fisher
Aston Villa intend to lodge an official grievance with the Premier League after they missed out on Champions League qualification following the controversy at Previous Trafford. The membership are furious the referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle earlier than Morgan Rogers scored, stopping VAR from intervening, and Villa believed a extra skilled referee ought to have been chosen to officiate such an essential match.
“Was it the Southampton or Ipswich keeper?” Will Cook dinner jokes in response to the Salah record-equalling query. “Honk! Thanks as ever for you and your colleagues glorious work this season. Identical once more in 75 days or so?”
Excellent Will, excellent. However sure we’ll see you once more for the league motion. However the soccer season isn’t but over, there’s extra European titles to be determined.
Trent Alexander-Arnold response
“I didn’t know what to anticipate after what occurred a couple of weeks in the past, stepping out at Anfield. I wished to play for the membership another time. I mentioned that to the supervisor and he trusted me to go in there at half-time.
“The response that I acquired means every little thing to me. I’ve performed tons of of video games for the membership. I’ve by no means felt so beloved and cared for than right now. From the underside of my coronary heart, I hope that in the future the followers and supporters of this membership will have the ability to recognise the exhausting work and every little thing that I’ve executed for the staff. There wasn’t a day, a minute, after I didn’t take into consideration the staff. From six years outdated, to 26 years now. Twenty years is a really very long time. I’ve beloved each single minute of it, the ups and downs. It has been an honour and a privilege for me to be part of this membership.
“That is all I’ve ever identified. I’ll bear in mind these moments for the remainder of my life, particularly a day like right now. It goes down as the most effective day for me in my life. A really big day and a really particular achievement for the staff and for the membership.”
Mo Salah hasn’t had a foul season, has he? In addition to profitable the Premier League and accumulating the Golden Boot he has additionally equalled the report for probably the most purpose involvements throughout a 38-game season with 47. Can anybody title the opposite participant to attain the feat? Let me know through e mail – sarah.rendell.informal@guardian.co.uk
However talking of the Golden Boot, winner Mo Salah has been talking after the Reds lifted the Premier League trophy earlier right now. He informed Sky: “It’s unimaginable. Final time we didn’t have the possibility to carry the [Premier League] trophy in entrance of the Kop, right now we’ve got the possibility.
“It’s an unimaginable feeling. For this membership it’s unimaginable. Successful the second with the followers in Anfield, particularly the Spurs sport [when the title was sealed], you’ll be able to see [what it means].
Lots of chat has been targeted on the Golden Boot right now with Mo Salah including one other purpose to his tally for this season earlier than lifting the trophy. However the Golden Glove was additionally determined and it was shared. Arsenal’s David Raya and Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels each received the accolade, each preserving 13 clear sheets this season. Selz informed Sky: “It’s an enormous achievement so I’m actually blissful however not just for me however for the staff. it means we had a terrific season, nearly the entire season on a Champions League spot. Sadly we couldn’t end it right now however we should be happy with the season we’ve had. We’ll play in Europe.
“Once I got here final yr, I got here in a tough state of affairs. This sort of achievement is all the time from the staff. It’s the identical if a striker scorers loads of objectives.”
Leicester Metropolis’s Ruud van Nistelrooy has had the hearsay mill whirring with query marks over his future on the membership. After the membership’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, their remaining sport within the Premier League for now with their relegation confirmed earlier this season, the supervisor mentioned he hopes to talk to membership bosses subsequent week.
When requested if he wished to remain, he informed the BBC: “I wish to speak and that’s the very first thing that should occur. It’s been silent and it’s one thing in direction of the tip of the season and get issues executed with after which I count on to listen to one thing.”
Nuno Espirito Santo response
Nottingham Forest missed out on Champions and Europa League soccer however they may compete within the Convention League subsequent season – their first European motion in 30 years. Right here was supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo’s response to lacking out on the highest six, telling the BBC: “I’ve to thank the gamers for his or her dedication, once you give every little thing you might have, you can not say something about it.
“We began properly and managed the sport. Second half, we rushed and the anxiousness didn’t assist us. It was not sufficient.
“They have been good probabilities for us. It was there, we didn’t obtain it. It’s exhausting when it was in your palms ultimately and it doesn’t go your means.
“There are lots of issues that occur throughout the season. It’s not all the time doable to be higher than the opposite groups. We wished to go for the sport right now so the boys did properly. It’s a robust competitors.
“All of the circumstances that occurred didn’t assist, however that’s not an excuse. I felt we have been there. I’m very happy with the boys and all I can do is thank them.
“We’re in good place and now it’s time to replicate and deal with the longer term. This isn’t a second to discuss me. It’s in regards to the membership.”
Thanks Rob, one other spectacular innings for the 2024/25 Premier League season. Your watch is over… till subsequent Saturday. As Rob says, I’ll be bringing you extra response from right now’s video games and taking you thru Gary Lineker’s remaining Match of the Day. Let’s begin with some Nottingham Forest quotes we could…
Time for me handy over to Sarah Rendell, who will proceed our protection of occasions at Anfield and Previous Trafford earlier than switching to BBC Studios for Gary Lineker’s remaining Match of the Day.
Thanks once more to your firm and emails all through the season. See you in August! (Or subsequent Saturday for the Champions League remaining build-up.)
Unai Emery’s response
Good night. The TV is evident [on the disallowed goal] however we’ve got to simply accept it. It was a mistake, an enormous mistake. It was the important thing second. Total, Manchester United deserved it extra however we confirmed resilience with 10 males and we might [gone 1-0 up]. We didn’t carry out properly sufficient right now however we might nonetheless have gotten a end result.
I spoke with the referee after and he is aware of it. [Asked if the ref admitted it was a mistake, Emery nods, then says ‘The next one’ as in ‘Next question!’]
[Do the VAR protocols need changing?] I don’t need to talk about VAR now, okay? I don’t need to talk about VAR.
We made an enormous effort within the second a part of the season. We misplaced the chance to be within the high 5 within the first half of the season. However I’m so, so happy with how we progressed and the way we acquired this shut. We go into the Europa League and we ought to be blissful and proud about this achievement. However we have been near the Champions League.
Arne Slot speaks to Sky Sports activities
It’s all the time particular to win one thing. And at sure golf equipment possibly it means extra. I skilled this at Feyenoord, the place the followers are so passionate, and it’s the identical and extra over right here.
[Did you expect the season to be smooth] No no no, you don’t count on one thing like this, not within the Premier League.
[When will your mind turn to next season?] Most likely 4 weeks in the past! It by no means stops. The targets we’ve got this summer season have been there for a very long time.
There are such a lot of arresting photos on the pitch at Anfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold sitting alone, misplaced in thought; Virgil van Dijk parading the trophy together with his religious ancestor, Alan Hansen. Jeez, think about these two as a centre-back pairing!
Liverpool’s gamers and workers have lined up, arm in arm, to sing You’ll By no means Stroll Alone in entrance of the Kop. It’s fairly a scene, distinctive to Anfield, and Arne Slot nearly has a glance of marvel of his face.
Match experiences
John McGinn’s response
It’s robust to soak up the circumstances. Man Utd deserved to win, they have been the higher staff, however the determination [to disallow Morgan Rogers’ goal at 0-0] is unimaginable. I do know that is the rule [that if the whistle is blown, VAR can’t get involved], I’ve seen it a few instances, however it’s so, so exhausting to take, particularly when the impression is so huge. For Thomas to blow his whistle at that time… phwoar, it’s actually robust to deal with.
We didn’t need to win the sport however at that time you’re 1-0 up with 20 to go, and all you want is a degree to get within the Champions League. It’s a very expensive one. I believe shifting forward-
At this level the interview cuts out, no concept why.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will get one of many loudest cheers as he goes as much as acquire his medal. He pats the badge, then kisses it after receiving his medal. Jurgen Klopp appears actually emotional; I ponder how a lot right now’s reception is all the way down to him.
No time to dwell on that as a result of the largest cheer of all is imminent. Virgil van Dijk collects the Premier League trophy and lifts it skyward. Liverpool are the champions of England once more!
Liverpool’s gamers are again on the sector, able to get their palms on 25.4kg of job satisfaction: the Premier League trophy. They began beautifully, went up a gear round Christmas and received the title at a canter.
Premier League high scorers 2024-25
Spoiler alert…
Amorim: The nice days are coming
We’ll keep at Previous Trafford, primarily to listen to Unai Emery’s response. For now Ruben Amorim has the mic and is apologising to the Man Utd followers.
I need to apologise for this season. I additionally need to say thanks – we’re very grateful to your assist throughout the season. I do know it was actually exhausting to assist us in lots of video games. However now we’ve got to choose. We both keep caught up to now – as a result of this season is up to now, it’s over – or we stick collectively and transfer ahead.
Six months in the past, after two victories and one attract my first three video games, I mentioned to you: ‘The storm is coming’.
In the present day, after this disastrous season, I need to let you know: ‘The nice days are coming’. If there’s one membership on this planet that has proved up to now it may overcome any state of affairs, any catastrophe, it’s our membership. It’s Manchester United Soccer Membership.
Now I need to express regret to my gamers. Typically I used to be not honest, however I all the time tried to be sincere with you guys. Thanks very a lot, see you subsequent season.
Christian Eriksen has confirmed that he’s leaving Man Utd this summer season. “I’m nonetheless match to play, so we’ll see the place.”
England’s European representatives in 2025-26
Champions League Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur
Europa League Aston Villa, Crystal Palacee
Convention League Nottingham Forest
The ultimate Premier League desk
In many years to return, individuals will take a look at the 2024-25 desk and assume, “Cor, Liverpool received that comfortably.” They do not know; a 15-point margin would have been a fairer reflection of the season.
Emery waits by the tunnel for the referee, then begins a walk-and-talk into the bowels of Previous Trafford. Really it’s extra of a walk-and-stalk by the appears of issues.
The 2024-25 Premier League season is over
As I kind Unai Emery is expressionless on the touchline, lasers in his peepers as he stares on the referee Thomas Bramall.
These are the ultimate scores.
90+5 min Villa have had a few close to misses in damage time. Newcastle’s defeat to Everton at St James’ Park means a draw would have been adequate for Villa, who would have taken the lead after 73 minutes however for a refereeing howler.
Given his comprehensible temper on the touchline, there aren’t any ensures that Unai Emery’s post-match interview will start with a cheery “Good night”.
