North-east pair parachute out of Premier League

Newcastle United FC and Middlesbrough FC were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season, away defeats for the north-east clubs ensuring safety for fellow strugglers Hull City AFC and Sunderland AFC.

Own goal
Newcastle needed to better Hull's result to maintain their 16-year top-flight status but a 1-0 loss for Alan Shearer's men at Aston Villa FC confirmed their demotion, the only goal summing up their predicament as Gareth Barry's wayward shot from distance was deflected past his own goalkeeper by Damien Duff.

Boro downed
Middlesbrough's only route to survival was victory at West Ham United FC coupled with unfavourable results for Hull and Newcastle, but a 2-1 loss ended their eleven-year stay in the top division, Carlton Cole and Junior Stanislas on target in either half for the London side. Hull's 1-0 home defeat by champions Manchester United FC, courtesy of Darron Gibson's long-range drive, therefore proved irrelevant in the relegation shake-up.

Liverpool second
At the top end of the table, Liverpool FC confirmed second place with a 3-1 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur FC, a result that ended the visitors' hopes of UEFA Europa League football, while third-placed Chelsea FC won 3-2 at Sunderland AFC, who could have been relegated had Hull and Newcastle both triumphed. In fourth, Arsenal FC beat Stoke City FC 4-1.

Osman double
Everton FC edged out Aston Villa in the battle for fifth, with Leon Osman's two goals securing a 2-0 win at Fulham FC, the home side taking the final UEFA Europa League qualifying spot by ending seventh, while Manchester City FC's 1-0 success against Bolton Wanderers FC ensured them a top-half finish. Elsewhere, Blackburn Rovers FC drew 0-0 with relegated West Bromwich Albion FC and Wigan Athletic FC beat Portsmouth FC 1-0.