It was a body blow to Manchester United, who won 1-0 at Sunderland, and were winning the league at the conclusion of their game. It was the second most astonishing finish to an English top flight season, rivalling the drama of Michael Thomas’ winning goal in the dying seconds for Arsenal against Liverpool in 1989.
Elsewhere in the Premier League Arsenal finished third with a 3-2 win at West Brom, whilst Tottenham won 2-0 against Fulham to secure fourth. Newcastle’s 3-1 loss at Everton left them fifth, ahead of Chelsea, who beat Blackburn 2-1. Everton finished ahead of Liverpool, who lost 1-0 at Swansea. The final issue was settled as Bolton were relegated following a 2-2 draw at Stoke.
In France, there was also a crucial 94th minute goal in the title race as Montpellier beat Lille 1-0. The result means they need just a point away to relegated Auxerre next week to clinch a remarkable first ever league title. They would claim it at the expense of Paris St Germain, who beat Rennes 3-0. Auxerre lost by the same score against Marseille as they were relegated. Eight teams go into the final day next week threatened by relegation.
Arguably the team of the European season, Juventus, rounded off their campaign in Serie A with a 3-1 win over Atalanta. It means they finish the season unbeaten, and ahead of former champions AC Milan, who won 2-1 against Novara. Udinese won 2-0 at Catania to clinch third and a Champions League spot, with Napoli fourth after beating Siena 2-1, and Lazio won 3-1 against Inter.
Villarreal were relegated in La Liga by a goal three minutes from time from Radamel Falcao in their game with Atletico Madrid. Their 1-0 defeat saved Granada, who had lost 2-0 to Real Zaragoza, who secured their survival. At the other end of the table Real Madrid reached 100 points for the season with a 4-1 win over Real Mallorca, and Barcelona signed off with a 2-2 draw at Real Betis. Atletico Madrid missed out still on the Champions League though as Malaga won 1-0 against Sporting Gijon to finish fourth.
Champions Porto finished with a 5-2 win over Rio Ave in the Portuguese league, with Benfica beating Vitoria Setubal 3-1. Galatasaray’s 0-0 draw with Fenerbahce means that they clinched the Turkish league title.
