Although only four of the ten final Barclay's Premier League games really mattered, the other six games still produced high entertainment. Manchester City knew a win away to Bolton would secure third place. It was City who took the lead two minutes before half-time when a corner hit Lescott on the head before looping over Jaaskelainen. Edin Dzeko wrapped things up for City after 62 minutes but Danny Sturridge's loan spell at Bolton ended with the former City player getting sent off four minutes from time for a high challenge on Dzeko. Bolton end the season fourteenth.
Liverpool were denied Europa League football next season as they lost away to Aston Villa. The only goal came after 33 minutes when an Albrighton cross was put away by Stewart Downing. Villa finish the season in ninth as the highest Midlands club.
Despite nothing to play for, St.James' Park witnessed a six goal thriller as Newcastle entertained West Brom. Steven Taylor made it three goals in three matches to give Newcastle the lead after sixteen minutes. Lovenkrands made it 2-0 six minutes before half-time and Olsson scored an own goal, thirty seconds into the second half to make it 3-0. But West Brom came back and Tchoyi made it 3-1 after 62 minutes and then made it 3-2 nine minutes later. The comeback was complete in injury time when Tchoyi headed home his hat-trick to make it 3-3. West Brom finish just ahead of Newcastle in eleventh.
With West Ham already down and now manager-less, Sunderland visited Upton Park to finish West Ham's Premiership in style. Zenden will be leaving Sunderland this summer and signed off with the opening goal after seventeen minutes. Sessegnon ended a bright debut half-season with another goal six minutes into the second half before Riveros scored his first Sunderland goal in injury time. Sunderland finish tenth.
Arsenal ended yet another disappointing season with a draw away to Fulham. Fulham took the lead after 26 minutes through Sidwell but that was cancelled out three minutes later with Van Persie scoring in his ninth consecutive away game. Zamora gave Fulham the lead again twelve minutes into the second half, Fulham were also on hand to receive Europa League football via the fair play award but Gera received red after 75 minutes for a two-footed challenge. This means that they or Blackpool will receive the accolade. Arsenal took advantage and equalised through Walcott a minute before injury time. Arsenal will now have to qualify for the Champions League and Fulham finish the season eighth.
Chelsea wasted no time in relieving Carlo Ancelotti of his managerial job. He was given the sack within an hour of Everton beating them 1-0 at Goodison Park. Beckford scored the winner with sixteen minutes left after Coleman had seen red eight minutes into the second half, but a win wouldn't have been enough for Ancelotti as a trophyless season means a job-less Chelsea manager.
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