LONDON – Swansea City were relegated from the Premier League after seven seasons, losing the final game 2-1 against Stoke City, who were already condemned to the Championship.
The Welsh club needed a 10-goal turnaround to send Southampton down instead, which, unsurprisingly, was never a serious possibility.
They did take the lead through midfielder Andy King, leading to optimistic chants of “we want 10” from home supporters.
But by half-time Stoke led with goals by Senegal’s Badou Ndiaye and then Peter Crouch. Xherdan Shaqiri even missed a penalty for Stoke.
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger enjoyed a rare away victory as Arsenal’s fans and players saluted the end of his managerial reign with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town in the Premier League yesterday.
Frenchman Wenger, who is leaving the club after almost 22 years in charge, was given a guard of honour by both sets of players before the kick=off and then walked to the visiting Arsenal supporters to acknowledge them.
The decisive goal came when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slid in at the back post to convert a low cross from Aaron Ramsey in the 38th minute.
Arsenal ended the season in sixth place, their lowest finish during Wenger’s time at the club, but at least they managed their first away win of 2018.
“We wanted that away win. We hadn’t managed to do that yet so it was important to end Arsene’s final game with a win,” said Ramsey.
“He told us to go out, play how we wanted and win. It is going to be strange without him next season but he has been brilliant and we will forever be thankful,” he added.
With Huddersfield celebrating survival at the end of their first Premier League campaign, acknowledgment of Wenger’s final - and 1 235th - game in charge took place before the kick-off.
In the 22nd minute, the entire ground stood to applaud Wenger. “Of course it is very emotional after 1 235 games for the same club. To enjoy it we had to win it, winning football games is what makes me happy and the boys did it. It was a good day for everyone with Huddersfield staying up too,” said Wenger.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will not participate in the Uefa Champions League next season after losing 3-0 to Newcastle and finishing fifth in the league.