Of course it wasn’t!
There may not have been any major surprises but there was certainly lots of excitement as we bid farewell to the English Premier League 2017/18.
Over nine months your football games have thrilled legions of football betting fans and provided drama, controversy and culture – sometimes in equal measure.
The betting odds rarely lie but that doesn’t mean they can’t be upset.
For last day palpitations, read on, dear friend.
Burnley 1-2 Bournemouth
Has there been a better acquisition this season than the club record £15 million Burnley parted with to snap up New Zealand frontman Chris Wood?
His goal set a party atmosphere in full swing at a relaxed Turf Moor.
As Wood became the club’s top scorer this season to celebrate their return to European football next term, it was telling that here was a match-up between two talented young managers, Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe, who will now become the longest serving managers in the top flight with Arsene Wenger bowing out.
Josh King and Callum Wilson, in the dying seconds, earned Bournemouth the victory to secure another fine season for Howe, too.
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
At Selhurst Park, fans said a big thank you to veteran boss Roy Hodgson for guiding Crystal Palace to safety and ultimately, an 11th place finish – few would have predicted that in the autumn.
How fitting that on the final day of the season Hodgson’s star man, Wilfried Zaha, opened the scoring 20 minutes from time before Patrick van Aanholt made the game safe.
A disappointing end to the campaign for West Brom as they eventually finish bottom, despite an upturn in form under caretaker coach Darren Moore.
Huddersfield Town 0-1 Arsenal
As both sets of fans showed their respect to Arsene Wenger, it was his final signing in a near 22-year Arsenal career who had the final word.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the only goal to end Wenger’s North London adventure with a victory.
It also halted the Gunners’ record of seven straight Premier League away defeats in the calendar year – the first time they’ve suffered that since 1966.
On a day Huddersfield celebrated their survival, football celebrated the work of Arsene Wenger.
Liverpool 4-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool will be back in the Champions League next season – regardless of how they fare in this season’ competition final.
This victory, inspired by footballer of the year Mo Salah, was so one-sided that Brighton – already safe – were playing a damage limitation game from the first whistle.
Salah – who else – opened the scoring to become the first player to score 32 goals in a 38 match Premier League season.
That was just reward for early pressure, as the Egyptian king ran the show.
Dejan Lovren headed in the second, Salah set up Dominic Solanke for the third and his first Premier League goal and Andrew Robertson – with his first Liverpool goal – then completed the rout.
Liverpool were dominant, Brighton relieved the scoreline didn’t affect them as they can look forward to successive top-flight seasons for the first time in 35 years.
Manchester United 1-0 Watford
A guard of honour greeted Michael Carrick, a terrific servant and influence for Manchester United during his 12 years at the club.
An equally warm reception greeted the midfield man as he left the fray moments before the end to a deserved standing ovation from all four corners of the ground.
During a career in which England’s loss (he only has 33 caps) has become Man Utd’s gain, he retires to become a club coach with five Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, one FA Cup success (who knows, perhaps another is to come next weekend) and three League Cup winning medals in his locker.
On a low-key afternoon, the Premier League runners-up won with a goal created by Carrick–ultimately, Juan Mata unselfishly teed up Marcus Rashford who couldn’t miss.
Newcastle United 3-0 Chelsea
A day to remember for Newcastle, a day to forget for Chelsea.
Who knows, perhaps even an FA Cup victory would not be enough to spare Antonio Conte his job.
We will know soon enough.
This was a sweet victory for Rafa Benitez at a jubilant St James’ Park – Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez (two) the marksmen in a season in which the Toon have defeated Man Utd,
Arsenal and now Chelsea at home.
Southampton 0-1 Manchester City
In scenes akin to a title winning goal, Gabriel Jesus’ last-gasp intervention meant so much to Man City.
Players and fans celebrated together as the young Brazilian coolly finished to clinch 100 points for the runaway champions.
Pep Guardiola and his stars were mobbed as the record breakers capped a superb season.
Credit on the day to Southampton and Mark Hughes who has guided them to safety.
Credit all season to the best team in the country.
Tottenham Hotspur 5-4 Leicester City
Games are rarely as thrilling as this.
A third consecutive top-three finish for Tottenham who will begin next season with another Champions League adventure to look forward to in their new stadium
On the afternoon Jamie Vardy proved his talents yet again this was, in an attacking sense, like the Foxes’ title winning side of two years ago – Vardy and Riyad Mahrez teaming up superbly and the talented (but inconsistent) Kelechi Iheanacho showing why Leicester have since paid £25 million to secure his services.
Three times they took the lead, three times Spurs fought back, Gazza danced in the stands and Harry Kane netted the winner.
Also mention of Erik Lamela who scored his first league goal for nearly two years and, like buses, added a second within 11 minutes.
What a contest!
West Ham United 3-1 Everton
So 13th place for West Ham and eighth position for Everton.
The way the visiting fans chanted about Sam Allardyce suggested he will not be at the club for much longer (imagine where they would be had he not taken charge in late November).
In contrast, West Ham fans gave their players a warm send-off on their lap of honour, yet whether David Moyes will still be at the club next season is also debatable.
He enjoyed his first victory against his former club thanks to goals from Manuel Lanzini (two) and Marko Arnautovic.
Oumar Niassehad pulled one back for the Toffees moments after hitting the post.
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more football betting options.
