How a dramatic Final Day unfolded

It was a final-day fairytale for Sunderland after they made history by qualifying for Europe for the first time in 52 years despite beginning the afternoon outside the qualification places.

In a final day full of twists in the race for Europe, the promoted team sprang the biggest surprise, taking the lead against Chelsea in the 25th minute to climb into eighth – the final Uefa Europa League qualification place – above their opponents.

When Brighton & Hove Albion fell behind to Manchester United on 33 minutes, they dropped below Sunderland, who had trailed them on goal difference – moving the Black Cats into seventh and the Uefa Europa League.

It was where they remained when the final whistles blew, jumping from 10th to seventh in an astonishing climax to the campaign. Fans at the Stadium of Light wildly celebrated an unexpected end to an unexpectedly amazing season for a side who had come up via the Championship playoffs only a year ago.

They become just the fifth promoted team to qualify for Europe on league position.

“A steward came and tried to show us the other scores on his phone but the 4G didn't work but then we found out we had done it,” Sunderland player Trai Hume, who scored the opener, said.

“It hasn't sunk in yet. Coming up to the start of the season I don't think anyone gave us a chance to stay up let alone Europe."

Brighton were three goals down within three minutes of the second half, meaning Brentford – drawing 1-1 with Liverpool after 64 minutes – knew a win would take them into Europe.

Who else but Bruno Fernandes to set up Patrick Dorgu’s opener, giving the Man Utd captain the outright Premier League single-season assists record with 21, one clear of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

When the Brighton game concluded, Seagulls fans nervously checked their phones for news of a Brentford goal. But, as Brentford were unable to find one, the Brighton fans celebrated a Europa Conference League place, alongside the players, while Brentford agonisingly missed out on a first season in Europe on goal difference.

It is only the second time Brighton have qualified for Europe.

The point also meant Bournemouth – who needed a huge goal-difference swing – could not pip Liverpool for the top five and the Champions League. Their draw at Nottingham Forest secured sixth spot, nonetheless, and a place in the Europa League, a first-ever European qualification in the club’s history, in Andoni Iraola’s final game as their head coach.

“I cannot ask for much more,” Iraola said. “I have been so lucky to be in this moment with this group of players with this club. I think it is the perfect ending and I am so thankful.”

In a disappointing end to a disappointing season, Chelsea’s defeat left them 10th.

At the other end of the table, Tottenham Hotspur came through an excruciating afternoon to escape relegation on the final day.

At home to Everton Spurs had been knocking on the door all half – registering their most first-half shots in a Premier League game this season – when it finally opened in the 43rd minute.

Joao Palhinha headed against a post but converted the rebound. The ball inched just over the line – and was enough, in the end, to inch Spurs to safety.

At the break, West Ham United – still goalless with Leeds United despite needing a win – trailed by four points and knew chances of survival were slipping away.

But a glimmer of hope arrived in the 67th minute when January signing Valentin Castellanos gave them the lead, cutting the gap to one point. West Ham were an Everton comeback away from safety.

Jarrod Bowen added a second 13 minutes later, and anxiety rippled around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Phones were checked. Nails were bitten. Groans escaped lips.

Callum Wilson struck a third in stoppage time and West Ham had done all they could. Back in north London, tension rose again when nine minutes of stoppage time were flashed on the fourth official’s board.

Everton pushed hard for a goal but Spurs fans finally chanted, “We are staying up!” when the clock ticked to 99 minutes.

Spurs captain Micky van de Ven is confident there would not be a repeat next season. “With the right people now here – the right manager – I'm confident,” he said. “Finishing 17th two years in a row is unacceptable for us.”

A despondent West Ham captain Bowen said: “I want this club to be in the Premier League. It's a club that means so much to me and has given me so much so my vision is to get this club back in the Premier League."

It was an afternoon of farewells at Manchester City and Liverpool, where key players and one of the greatest managers in Premier League history said their goodbyes.

At Anfield, Mohamed Salah left with a farewell assist – giving him the outright most in the Premier League of any Liverpool player – and struck the post before he was substituted with 16 minutes remaining, leaving the field to hugs with his team-mates.

His teammate Andy Robertson was also applauded off for a final time.

Both received a guard of honour from Liverpool’s players and staff after the match, with Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush greeting them at the end.

“I cried a lot – I think more than I did in my whole life!" Salah said.

At the Etihad, Bernardo Silva and John Stones were given guards of honour by their teammates as they left the field in Manchester City's game against Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola took charge of City for the final time – making one more piece of history after a decade full of it. His 593rd match in charge overtook Les McDowall’s club record.

Guardiola’s 95-year-old father, Valenti, applauded his son at the end. A montage of his 10 years at the club played on the big screens to an acoustic version of the Oasis song "Live Forever".

"I'm so nervous right now,” Guardiola said, addressing the crowd. “Why do you love me so much? Why do you do that to me?

"I never imagined the amount of love. It has been an incredible, tremendous honour to be your manager for 10 years.”

Arsenal’s players were given a guard of honour by Crystal Palace as they walked out at Selhurst Park, having been crowned champions when Man City failed to win in midweek.

They finished the campaign in style, winning 2-1 to finish on 85 points – seven clear of Man City – before lifting the Premier League Trophy on the pitch.

“It was beautiful, look at how happy they are,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said, gesturing towards the fans.

His Palace counterpart Oliver Glasner took charge of his last game at Selhurst Park. “I will definitely miss all of the people here,” he told Sky Sports.

He signs off with a Europa Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Fulham beat Newcastle United to finish in 11th, one place ahead of the Magpies, concluding a frustrating campaign for Eddie Howe’s side.

Burnley and Wolves – relegated several weeks previously – played out a 1-1 draw in their final top-flight games before they depart for the Championship.