The Stagcom 22nd May Round Up
It's a Monday morning of mixed emotions. We are still buzzing from the excitement of the weekend's sporting action, but at the same time we are greeted with the sadness and realisation that the domestic football season is over until August.
The Premier League certainly went out with a bang though, with no less than 37 goals being scored over the ten matches. There was also the drama of play-off action in the Football League and the Aviva Premiership. Let us recap everything that happened in our weekly round-up.
PREMIER LEAGUE FINISHES
It was a thrilling final day in the Premier League, with goals aplenty across the ten games taking place. The key matter to settle on the final day was the Champions League qualification spots, but they were sorted with minimal fuss. Manchester City will go straight into the Champions League group stage next season after a 5-0 win over Watford confirmed third place for Pep Guardiola in his first season.
That meant that the final spot was between Liverpool and Arsenal. Liverpool started the day in fourth spot and held on to it with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield. Gini Wijnaldum settled the nerves of the crowd with a goal on the stroke of half-time, with a Philippe Coutinho free-kick and Adam Lallana goal added in the second-half. The win for Jurgen Klopp's side meant that despite Arsenal beating Everton 3-1, Arsene Wenger misses out on Champions League qualification for the first time!
Chelsea collected their Premier League crown after a 5-1 demolition of Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. But the day was all about one man - John Terry. The Chelsea captain bowed out on the 26th minute of the match to a guard of honour from his teammates and was able to lift his fifth Premier League trophy.
Second-placed Spurs also went out with a bang, becoming only the third team in the Premier League era to scored seven goals in an away match, with a 7-1 win at Hull City. Harry Kane was among the goals again, scoring his second hat-trick in the space of three days to claim the Premier League golden boot.
Just another 87 days until the Premier League returns...
MILLWALL MAKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Millwall secured promotion to the Championship with a dramatic win over Bradford City in the League One Play-Off Final at Wembley.
The game looked to be heading to extra-time before Steve Morison volleyed in at the back post in the dying moments of the match.
The celebrations were marred by Millwall fans charging on to the pitch at the end to confront the Bradford players, but the day should be remembered for Neil Harris gaining promotion with the Lions; a fantastic achievement after only sneaking into the play-offs on the final day of the regular season.
EXCITING SEMIS
The Aviva Premiership play-offs produced two pulsating semi-finals over the weekend.
Exeter Chiefs defeated the holders Saracens to reach their second Premiership final in a row. Sam Simmonds went over at the death to deny Saracens the opportunity to win a European and domestic double. The win stretches the Chiefs' unbeaten run to 16 matches as they had in to the Aviva Premiership Final.
Where they will meet Wasps, after they beat Leicester Tigers in the other semi-final. Josh Bassett scored a try two minutes from time to give Wasps a 21-20 victory as they reach their first final for nine years.
The final will take place at Twickenham next Saturday!
Image credits: Premier League, Squawka, BBC Sport, Sky Sports