'Strange season': Football world erupts over Premier League madness
The final day of the Premier League offered up crazy drama as Liverpool and Chelsea secured a Champions League spot after a 'strange season', while Leicester fell short of a Top 4 finish in devastating fashion.
Liverpool qualified for Champions League football, despite sitting outside of qualification for the back half of the season, after defeating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Anfield with a Sadio Mane brace to finish third.
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The Reds were helped after Leicester suffered late agony as their goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel fisted into his own net in the 87th minute and then Gareth Bale completed Spurs' turnaround with his second of the game at the King Power Stadium in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Chelsea could afford a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa to still end up fourth after Leicesters defeat.
Players and fans reacted with a mixture of emotions.
Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara and Man United striker Marcus Rashford labelled the season a 'strange' one, while others lauded Liverpool's end of season run to secure a CL spot.
Strange season. Tough period. But we finished it in the best way possible. It was amazing to share with you this evening, Anfield. Thanks for your support. See you soon and let’s enjoy together, @LFC family. #YNWA pic.twitter.com/uHXVEx5CxT
— Thiago Alcantara (@Thiago6) May 23, 2021
Leicester throwing away Champions League football on the final day of the season ... pic.twitter.com/qcva3ITesS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 23, 2021
Tell me you secured CL football without telling me you secured CL football... pic.twitter.com/T9BpKkwyv1
— Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) May 23, 2021
Not the season we hoped for but we’ve finished on a strong note, qualified for next season’s Champions League and shown the togetherness and resilience which will see us right for next season. Thanks to all our fans for their support we hope to see a lot more of you next season. pic.twitter.com/3nZHvW0EP3
— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) May 23, 2021
Well, where do you start when describing this season. It’s been a strange one and challenging without our 12th man by our side much of the time. That noise and that passion will never be taken for granted. On our hardest days you’ve always pulled us through. (1) pic.twitter.com/hvEm3AtAwM
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) May 23, 2021
Third in the #PremierLeague for @LFC is remarkable considering the injury problems & having to win the final 5 games!
TAA has been a real leader in the last few months & Thiago the same in the last few weeks. #LIVCRY— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) May 23, 2021
"It's hard to take, but we'll bounce back and we'll come back stronger." 💪
Luke Thomas talks to LCFC TV following #LeiTot... pic.twitter.com/A8z96PJ6NK— Leicester City 🏆 (@LCFC) May 23, 2021
Champions league secured ✅ a long, hard premier league season complete. Onto the champions league 💙
— Tammy Abraham (@tammyabraham) May 23, 2021
Man City farewell Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero struck twice in his farewell home match for champions Manchester City on Sunday, as the club said goodbye to a legend.
Fans and players took to social media following the win and pay their respects to one of the greatest forwards in Premier League history.
TWO goals for Sergio Aguero on his final Premier League appearance 😱💙 pic.twitter.com/Vi9V0WJRrL
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 23, 2021
Sergio Aguero given a guard of honour by his Manchester City teammates 💙 pic.twitter.com/OuDGqTBt8h
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 23, 2021
"He is a special person for all of us. He is so nice. He helped me a lot. We cannot replace him. We cannot." 😢
An emotional Pep Guardiola is reduced to tears when asked about Sergio Aguero, who will leave Manchester City this summer.https://t.co/COVNqfr9Dr #MCFC pic.twitter.com/PthCDZVBhI— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 23, 2021
Harry Kane secures golden ball
The Golden Ball race, for top scorer, also came down to the final day between Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane.
But the Tottenham forward scored in the final moments against Leicester to secure his third top scorer gong.
Salah congratulated Kane on pipping him in the race on social media.
Congratulations to @HKane on winning his 3rd Golden boot. What a marksman.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) May 23, 2021
Great to get a win to finish the season. Been a tough season for lots of reasons but thanks for all the support it’s always appreciated and thanks for the fans awards. pic.twitter.com/M5o2PXNYl3
— Harry Kane (@HKane) May 23, 2021
Very well deserved! Congratulations!
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 23, 2021
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