Manchester City all but secured their place in next season's Champions League after drawing 1-1 with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on the final day of 2015-16.

City boast a 18-goal stronger goal difference than rivals Manchester United, who were not able to play their 38th game of the campaign. Their match against Bournemouth was abandoned after a suspect package was found in one of the stands at Old Trafford.

Kelechi Iheanacho broke the deadlock for City in the sixth minute, reacting quickest after Sergio Aguero's shot was saved.

But Swansea hit back just before half-time with Andre Ayew's free kick taking a deflection that deceived goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Arsenal finished as runners-up ahead of rivals Tottenham after Olivier Giroud's hat trick helped beat bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa 4-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal went in front on five minutes with striker Giroud heading home from Nacho Monreal's cross.

Arsene Wenger's side made the points safe on 78 minutes when Giroud grabbed his second of the game, scoring at the near post from Mesut Ozil's assist.

And the France international completed his hat trick, tucking home from Hector Bellerin's through ball, before an own goal from Mark Bunn compounded Villa's misery.

Newcastle United ended their Premier League stay with a 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur that endured Spurs had to settle for third place.

Tottenham went behind in the 19th minute when Newcastle's Aleksandar Mitrovic assisted Georginio Wijnaldum.

Mitrovic doubled Newcastle's lead before the break, thundering in a header past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Erik Lamela struck home from an acute angle.

Newcastle were reduced to 10 men on 67 minutes after Mitrovic was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Kyle Walker.

But the 10 men of Newcastle won a penalty when Moussa Sissoko was adjudged to have been brought down in the box, and Wijnaldum made no mistake from the spot.

Rolando Aarons and then Daryl Janmaat rubbed further salt in Tottenham's wounds while giving Newcastle a positive result ahead of next season in the Championship.

Premier League champions Leicester City finished their incredible season with a 1-1 draw at former title-holders Chelsea.

Chelsea went in front through Cesc Fabregas, who slotted in from the penalty spot after Nemanja Matic went down in the box.

Claudio Ranieri's men hit back late in the second half, with Danny Drinkwater's 25-yard excellent strike beating goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool finished eighth in the table after being held to a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Salomon Rondon put West Brom ahead on 13 minutes, scoring from a narrow angle past goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

Liverpool hit back through Jordon Ibe, firing in after excellent solo work on the right wing, with the club's attention now turning toward Wednesday's Europa League final against Sevilla.

Everton followed Roberto Martinez's sacking on Thursday with a comprehensive 3-0 win over already-relegated Norwich City in goalkeeper Tim Howard's final appearance for the Toffees.

James McCarthy put Everton 1-0 up in the 19th minute, the midfielder curling home a splendid effort.

The Toffees extended their advantage from the penalty spot, Leighton Baines keeping his cool after Romelu Lukaku was fouled.

Kevin Mirallas made it 3-0 on 49 minutes, tapping in at the far post from Jonjoe Kenny's deflected cross.

Southampton secured Europa League qualification after easing to a 4-1 victory over FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace.

Sadio Mane netted just before half-time to make it 1-0 to Southampton, the forward pouncing after a mistake by goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Southampton doubled their lead when Graziano Pelle headed home from Cuco Martina's cross.

Jason Puncheon pulled a goal back for Palace against his former club, but Southampton restored their two-goal lead through Ryan Bertrand's penalty.

Southampton put the points beyond doubt when Steven Davis lashed in after Pelle chested into his path.

Stoke City finished ninth in the table after beating Slaven Bilic's West Ham 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium.

West Ham took the lead on 23 minutes when Winston Reid headed in from Michail Antonio's corner.

Giannelli Imbula restored parity for Stoke in the 55th minute, firing low after a smart one-two.

Stoke snatched the win with two minutes left on the clock, Mame Diouf heading in from Charlie Adam's corner.

Watford and Sunderland played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with both clubs safe in the knowledge they will be in the top flight next season.

Jack Rodwell was on target for Sunderland to make it 1-0, tapping in at the far post after a cross from Jeremain Lens.

Watford equalised early in the second half when Sebastian Prodl nodded in from Adlene Guedioura's delivery.

Sam Allardyce's side restored their lead six minutes into the second half, Lens tucking home from inside the box.

Watford levelled when Troy Deeney scored from the penalty spot after John O'Shea fouled Jurado.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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