The final day of the Premier League season brought contrasting emotions for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. West Ham’s 3-0 victory over Leeds was insufficient to escape relegation. Fourth-to-last Tottenham secured a narrow 1-0 win against Everton, maintaining a two-point lead over West Ham, resulting in West Ham’s demotion after a 14-year tenure in the top division.

Tottenham has now ensured its 49th consecutive season in the Premier League. Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Roberto De Zerbi, the team won three of its final five matches. Reflecting on the relegation, West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen said, “We shouldn’t be in the position we’re in but we’ve found ourselves in it and we’ve not done enough to stay up. Hurt is the only thing.”

Pep Guardiola’s emotional farewell from Manchester City marked the end of his decade-long tenure, highlighted by a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. Guardiola, who helped City to six Premier League titles and 17 major trophies, received a guard of honor alongside players like Bernardo Silva and John Stones. The coach wept as he bid farewell to the club and its supporters.

Mohamed Salah also experienced a poignant departure at Liverpool. In his 442nd and final appearance for the Reds, Salah contributed an assist during a 1-1 draw with Brentford. The Egypt winger ended his nine-year stint with Liverpool with a tally of 257 goals. He was honored with a standing ovation and a guard of honor, walking off the Anfield pitch in tears.

Meanwhile, Arsenal celebrated their first league title since 2004 with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Players donned jerseys reading “Champions 2026” as they lifted the trophy.

In the race for European competitions, Bournemouth and Sunderland finished sixth and seventh, respectively, qualifying for the Europa League, while Brighton secured a Conference League spot despite a 3-0 loss to Manchester United. Sunderland earned its place in Europe for the first time in 53 years, a notable success for a team fresh back in the top flight and previously in the third tier.

Chelsea missed out on European competition, concluding the season in 10th place, following their Club World Cup win just 10 months prior.

West Ham’s third Premier League relegation

West Ham United supporters came to terms with another relegation, adding 2026 to 2003 and 2011 when the team faced a similar fate. Now playing home matches at the Olympic Stadium, the club faces Championship battles against teams like Wrexham, Wolverhampton, and Burnley. Bowen emphasized, “This club deserves to be in the Premier League. Our aim now is to get this club back into the Premier League.”

De Zerbi rescues Tottenham

Tottenham’s Premier League status was threatened before hiring De Zerbi, who became a vital appointment. The club’s recent successes under his leadership included three wins and two draws. Joao Palhinha’s decisive goal against Everton ensured Tottenham’s survival by a narrow margin. Reflecting on the challenging season, Palhinha noted, “After a bad season like this one, we showed up as a collective and had amazing support from the fans.”

Tottenham, who were Europa League champions last season, narrowly avoided relegation for the second consecutive time, maintaining their position as a prominent European club.