Premier League season concludes with West Ham relegation and emotional exits for Guardiola and Salah

The 2025-26 Premier League season concluded with a definitive shift in the league’s hierarchy, marked by West Ham United’s relegation to the Championship after 14 years and Tottenham Hotspur’s survival. The outcome was sealed on the final day when Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory over Everton, finishing two points clear of their London rivals. Joao Palhinha’s goal just before half-time provided the decisive point, ensuring Tottenham would remain in the top flight for a 49th consecutive season, while West Ham’s hopes were extinguished despite a 3-0 win against Leeds United.

In the title race, Arsenal clinched the Premier League crown, ending a 22-year drought since their last championship in 2004. The Gunners closed their campaign with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, securing the title ahead of Manchester City, who finished second. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s decade-long tenure, which included six Premier League titles, concluded with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. The match featured a mid-match guard of honour for key players Bernardo Silva and John Stones, followed by emotional farewells from Guardiola.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah also marked the end of an era, making his final appearance for the club in a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Salah received a standing ovation and kissed the turf after being substituted in the second half, concluding a nine-year spell with 257 career goals for the club. His performance, which included an assist, helped secure Champions League football for Liverpool next season.

On the lower end of the table, Sunderland achieved a historic feat by qualifying for European competition in their first season back in the top flight. The club beat Chelsea 2-1 to secure a spot in the Europa League, joining Bournemouth in the competition. Chelsea, who finished 10th, missed out on European qualification entirely, just 10 months after winning the Club World Cup. Brighton secured the final European spot, the Conference League, despite a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United.

Manchester United’s campaign ended with Champions League qualification, bolstered by Bruno Fernandes, who scored and provided a record-breaking 21st assist of the season. Erling Haaland won his third Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals, despite not playing in Manchester City’s final match. Brentford’s Igor Thiago finished second in the Golden Boot race with 22 goals, earning a place in the Brazil World Cup squad. The season’s conclusion was not without controversy, as former England international Gary Neville criticised VAR delays during the relegation decider, citing poor contingency planning.