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LONDON (Reuters) - With most of Europe's titles already sewn up it was a weekend of frayed nerves for clubs desperately trying to avoid relegation.
The focus was still on the top though in France where Lille clinched their first title since 1954 with a 2-2 draw against Paris St Germain.
Deportivo Coruna, Spain's league champions in 2000, were the biggest casualty of the weekend as they lost their place in La Liga while in England a stomach-churning finale to the season ended with League Cup winners Birmingham City going down.
ENGLAND
Even though Manchester United wrapped up the title a week ago the final day of the Premier League season surpassed itself for drama with five teams embroiled in a nerve-shredding relegation battle.
Blackpool briefly looked like pulling 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 after a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, bringing a disappointing end to a season that had looked so bright when they won the League Cup in February.
Blackburn Rovers won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in a result that kept both teams up while Wigan Athletic, relegation favourites for much 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 qualifying round while Tottenham Hotspur are into the Europa League after holding off Liverpool for fifth.
SPAIN
Deportivo Coruna were relegated from La Liga on the final day of the season, a 2-0 defeat at home to Valencia ending a 20-year stay 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 second division next term.
Cristiano Ronaldo set a new La Liga scoring record of 40 goals in a season and Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a hat-trick as Real Madrid destroyed Almeria 8-1 at the Bernabeu.
Champions Barcelona also wrapped up their campaign with a victory, coming back to win 3-1 in Malaga with most of their first team being rested ahead of next weekend's Champions League final against Manchester United.
ITALY
Udinese sealed fourth spot in Serie A and a qualifier for next season's Champions League with a 0-0 home draw against newly-crowned champions Milan.
A point was enough to keep them above fifth-placed Lazio who despite beating Lecce 4-2 away will have to be content with a place in the Europa League after finishing behind Udinese on goal difference.
FRANCE
Lille clinched their first title 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 likely to retain third place despite a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Caen as they lead PSG by two points with one match left.
Monaco, despite a 1-0 win at Montpellier, were left in 18th place and face the prospect of being relegated for the first time since 1976.
NETHERLANDS
ADO Den Haag and Groningen will meet 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 behind to beat Roda JC Kerkrade 2-1 to complete a 6-4 aggregate success, while Groningen beat Heracles Almelo 2-1 to advance on away goals.
Den Haag will host Groningen in the first leg on Thursday with the return leg on Sunday.
(Editing by Martyn Herman)
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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The focus was still on the top though in France where Lille clinched their first title since 1954 with a 2-2 draw against Paris St Germain.
Deportivo Coruna, Spain's league champions in 2000, were the biggest casualty of the weekend as they lost their place in La Liga while in England a stomach-churning finale to the season ended with League Cup winners Birmingham City going down.
ENGLAND
Even though Manchester United wrapped up the title a week ago the final day of the Premier League season surpassed itself for drama with five teams embroiled in a nerve-shredding relegation battle.
Blackpool briefly looked like pulling 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 after a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, bringing a disappointing end to a season that had looked so bright when they won the League Cup in February.
Blackburn Rovers won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in a result that kept both teams up while Wigan Athletic, relegation favourites for much 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 qualifying round while Tottenham Hotspur are into the Europa League after holding off Liverpool for fifth.
SPAIN
Deportivo Coruna were relegated from La Liga on the final day of the season, a 2-0 defeat at home to Valencia ending a 20-year stay 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 second division next term.
Cristiano Ronaldo set a new La Liga scoring record of 40 goals in a season and Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a hat-trick as Real Madrid destroyed Almeria 8-1 at the Bernabeu.
Champions Barcelona also wrapped up their campaign with a victory, coming back to win 3-1 in Malaga with most of their first team being rested ahead of next weekend's Champions League final against Manchester United.
ITALY
Udinese sealed fourth spot in Serie A and a qualifier for next season's Champions League with a 0-0 home draw against newly-crowned champions Milan.
A point was enough to keep them above fifth-placed Lazio who despite beating Lecce 4-2 away will have to be content with a place in the Europa League after finishing behind Udinese on goal difference.
FRANCE
Lille clinched their first title 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 likely to retain third place despite a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Caen as they lead PSG by two points with one match left.
Monaco, despite a 1-0 win at Montpellier, were left in 18th place and face the prospect of being relegated for the first time since 1976.
NETHERLANDS
ADO Den Haag and Groningen will meet 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 behind to beat Roda JC Kerkrade 2-1 to complete a 6-4 aggregate success, while Groningen beat Heracles Almelo 2-1 to advance on away goals.
Den Haag will host Groningen in the first leg on Thursday with the return leg on Sunday.
(Editing by Martyn Herman)
To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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