So, until next August, farewell old friend.
It’s been another season of thrilling football games, exciting football betting and a kaleidoscope of colour and controversy.
And there were certainly goals galore in this season finale.
Burnley 1-2 West Ham United
A disappointing end to a good season for Burnley.
A good end to a disappointing season for injury-hit West Ham.
Sports betting suggests Sean Dyche can enjoy his summer as he plans a second successive top-flight season, while Slaven Bilic deserves another campaign after a troublesome nine months for the club.
Chelsea 5-1 Sunderland
The crowning glory for the champions on an afternoon to remember for all associated with Chelsea.
Top versus bottom was clear as the Black Cats’ decade-long stay in the top flight ended with a 26th defeat in 38 games.
It was also a farewell to Blues’ skipper John Terry, even if his planned 26th-minute substitution (in which play was halted so their number 26 could receive a guard of honour) was a little contrived and sat uncomfortably.
Hull City 1-7 Tottenham Hotspur
Confidence can be everything in football and so this proved.
Four goals in the last 21 minutes gave the Premier League runners-up a second rout in four days and confirmed Harry Kane as the Premier League’s leading marksman yet again.
Hull, so strong at home since Marco Silva’s appointment, went out with a whimper as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
Leicester City 1-1 Bournemouth
A goal inside a minute helped the Cherries to a fine ninth-place finish – their highest ever in the top flight – and showed yet again that Eddie Howe is so underrated.
Jamie Vardy levelled, his loyalty is also undervalued, as the outgoing champions finished in 12th spot.
Whether Craig Shakespeare is in charge next term or not, the Foxes will need to avoid a repeat of their poor start which ultimately cost Claudio Ranieri his job.
Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough
It took them a while to get going – indeed it needed a special finish on the stroke of half-time to ease the home nerves.
But once Georginio Wijnaldum struck the opener, relegated Boro were blown away as Jurgen Klopp’s men secured the fourth and final Champions League berth.
Ultimately, it’s a season to forget for the Teesiders and a season of two halves for Liverpool, with a high spot to finish.
Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
The youngest Manchester United line-up in Premier League history and a victory for the hosts in a repeat of last season’s FA Cup Final – exactly 12 months to the day since the Wembley showpiece.
This was played a testimonial pace long before the end as both sides rounded off their league campaigns.
For United, all eyes now on their 64th and final game of an exacting season in Stockholm.
Southampton 0-1 Stoke City
A disappointing end to the campaign for the Saints, but it should be remembered they have finished eighth – the best of the rest.
They also reached the League Cup Final, despite losing their key defensive pairing of Virgil van Dijk (to injury) and Jose Fonte (to West Ham) in January.
For Stoke, a first away win since January – a few more of those and they may have been eighth!
Swansea City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
A fortnight to savour for the Swans and Paul Clement.
The Welsh club looked all but doomed when he arrived over Christmas but this victory, a fourth win in five games, ensured they finished in 15th place while West Brom slipped to 10th.
Who else but the prolific Fernando Llorente grabbed the winner four minutes from time at the Liberty Stadium.
Watford FC 0-5 Manchester City
Third place for City and guaranteed Champions League football next season – the very minimum requirement and surely a repeat next term won’t be tolerated?
This hammering left Watford one spot off the bottom three and marked the end of Walter Mazzarri’s 12 months in charge.
The fact the club is now looking for an eighth manager in five years would perhaps explain why the owners are not satisfied – give the next bloke some time!
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