Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League victory over Newcastle ensured they beat north London rivals Tottenham to the last Champions League place despite a late blockbuster from Gareth Bale on the final day of the season.
With the title already secured by Manchester United and relegation matters settled in midweek, the settling of European issues was the main focus of the day.
A Laurent Koscielny goal for Arsenal at St James’ Park saw Arsene Wenger continue his proud record of Champions League qualification in every season at the club, but Tottenham ensured a nailbiting finale when the irrepressible Bale fired Spurs ahead with a glorious 25-yard strike in the closing seconds.
On a day where 36 goals were scored in the top flight, Sir Alex Ferguson saw 10 of them in his final game before retirement as champions Manchester United drew 5-5 in a breathless encounter with West Brom.
Chelsea confirmed third place in Rafael Benitez’s last game in charge when his fellow Spaniards Juan Mata and Fernando Torres scored either side of Toffees midfielder Steven Naismith.
Ferguson, meanwhile, can rarely have seen a game in his 26 years at United like the one that unfolded at The Hawthorns.
Shinji Kagawa, Alex Buttner and a Jonas Olsson own-goal put United 3-0 up after half an hour, while Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez also hit the target on Ferguson’s big day.
But a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick teamed with efforts from James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu ensured the Baggies a share of the spoils.
Philippe Coutinho grabbed the winner for Liverpool against QPR with a fine 23rd-minute strike while ex-Reds striker Peter Crouch gave Stoke the lead two minutes into the second half in their clash with Southampton, before Rickie Lambert levelled 10 minutes later.
Managerless Manchester City ended a disappointing season with a 3-2 home defeat to Norwich. Jack Rodwell twice equalised for City but goals from Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt and Jonny Howson won it for the Canaries.
Kevin Nolan claimed a hat-trick and Ricardo Vaz Te also netted as West Ham defeated relegated Reading 4-2. Goals from Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre ensured the Royals did not go down without a fight.
FA Cup winners Wigan are also bound for the npower Championship but they added one final point to their tally with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
Darren Bent put Villa ahead before Emmerson Boyce’s header and a Nathan Baker own-goal gave the Latics a sniff of victory. Ron Vlaar snuffed out those hopes in the 61st minute.
Fulham inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Swansea, Alex Kacaniklic, Dimitar Berbatov and Urby Emmanuelson on the scoresheet for the Cottagers.