Arsenal will be missing from the Champions league next season for the first time in 20 years after failing to squeeze into the Premier league's top four despite beating Everton 3-1 with 10 men in Sunday's finale.
Comfortable victories for Manchester City (5-0 Watford) and liverpool (3-0 Middlesbrough) prevented Arsene Wenger from maintaining a proud record of having steered Arsenal into Europe's elite competition in every full season of his 21-year reign.
While it's certain fifth-placed Arsenal will be competing in the Europa league next season, there's some doubt over whether Wenger will still be in charge. The 67-year-old Frenchman's contract is up at the end of the season and he is staying tight-lipped on his future until after the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday.
The late-season resurgence came too late to rise from fifth place. Arsenal will be in the Europa league with Everton, which finished in seventh place and scored its only goal at the Emirates Stadium from the penalty spot through Romelu lukaku in the 57th minute.
lIVERpool 3-0 M’brough
liverpool overcame some early tension to beat already relegated and finish in fourth place in the Premier league on Sunday, sealing a place in the qualifying stages of next season's Champions league.
With halftime approaching at a nervy Anfield, liverpool was being held 0-0 and in danger of being replaced in the top four by fifth-placed Arsenal, which was winning at home to Everton at that stage.
Georginio Wijnaldum's injury-time strike put the Reds back in control of their destiny, and second-half goals by Philippe Coutinho and Adam lallana wrapped up a comfortable win.
liverpool will need to win a two-legged playoff in August to play in the Champions league for only the second time in eight seasons, since American-run Fenway Sports Group bought the club in 2010.
Watford 0-5 Man City
Manchester City secured direct progress to next season's Champions league group stage by thrashing Watford 5-0 on Sunday to finish third in the Premier league.
Sergio Aguero scored twice to make it 33 goals for the season in all competitions - his most prolific season since joining City in 2011 - with Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus also netting at Vicarage Road.
In its first season under manager Pep Guardiola, City didn't win a trophy but has achieved the minimum requirement of returning to the Champions league.
Terry’S guard of honour
Chelsea players gathered to form a guard of honor as John Terry's final appearance at Stamford Bridge came to an unusual end on Sunday, where Chelsea defeated Sunderland 5-1.
The club's captain, who served the club for 19 years, was substituted in the 26th minute. Terry was making his 717th appearance for Chelsea, playing Sunderland in the league.