Even though Manchester United wrapped up the style a week ago the last day of the Premier League season surpassed itself for drama with five teams embroiled in a nerve-shredding relegation battle.Blackpool briefly looked like pull off the miracle they needed when they led 2-1 at Old Trafford only to lose 4-2 to the champions and be relegated after one season. Birmingham City joined them later a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, bringing a disappointing end to a flavor that had looked so smart when they won the League Cup in February. Blackburn Rovers won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in a solution that kept both teams up while Wigan Athletic, relegation favourites for lots of the season, just survived with a 1-0 win at Stoke City.
Manchester City won 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers to secure third and automatic entry to the Champions League group stage along with runners-up Chelsea, beaten 1-0 at Everton, and United. Arsenal, who drew 2-2 at Fulham, go into the passing round while Tottenham Hotspur are into the Europa League after holding off Liverpool for fifth.
Deportivo Coruna were relegated from La Liga on the last day of the season, a 2-0 defeat at home to Valencia ending a 20-year continue in the top flight. League champions in 2000, they finished 18th with 43 points, one from safety, and will join Almeria and Hercules in the 2d part next term.Cristiano Ronaldo set a new La Liga scoring record of 40 goals in a temper and Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a hat-trick as Real Madrid destroyed Almeria 8-1 at the Bernabeu. Champions Barcelona also wrapped up their fight with a victory, coming second to win 3-1 in Malaga with most of their 1st team being rested ahead of next weekend's Champions League final against Manchester United.
Udinese sealed fourth place in Serie A and a modifier for next season's Champions League with a 0-0 home run against newly-crowned champions Milan. A stop was decent to save them above fifth-placed Lazio who despite beating Lecce 4-2 away will take to be contented with a home in the Europa League after finishing behind Udinese on goal difference.
Lille clinched their first championship since 1954 with a 2-2 draw at Paris St Germain on Saturday. The northeners, who also won the French Cup against PSG last weekend, opened an unassailable six-point lead over second-placed Olympique Marseille as the champions officially surrendered their title following a 2-2 draw against Valenciennes. Olympique Lyon are probably to retain third place despite a disappointing 0-0 home run against Caen as they lead PSG by two points with one pair left.Monaco, despite a 1-0 win at Montpellier, were remaining in 18th place and face the prospect of being relegated for the start time since 1976.
ADO Den Haag and Groningen will see in a two-legged playoff for a a Europa League place after coming through Dutch championship playoff semi-finals on Sunday. Den Haag came from bottom to beat Roda JC Kerkrade 2-1 to over a 6-4 aggregate success, while Groningen beat Heracles Almelo 2-1 to gain on away goals. Den Haag will host Groningen in the first leg on Thursday with the return leg on Sunday.
Trends: Deportivo Coruna, Europa League, La Liga, Spain
