Chelsea and Everton bid farewell to their respective managers on the final day of the Premier League and fittingly the game at Stamford Bridge was a evenly contested encounter that the Blues edged 2-1. Fernando Torres scored the decisive winner in the 76^th minute, his first goal in the Premier League since Boxing Day. Everton had earlier cancelled out Juan Mata’s 7^th minute opener through Steven Naismith on 14 minutes. The win ensures that Chelsea finish 3^rd and with it secure automatic qualification for next season’s Champions league while 5^th placed Everton finished above Liverpool despite the defeat.

Rafa Benitez had a surprise up his sleeve for Chelsea’s last home game of the season as he handed Nathan Ake a start whole Fernando Torres and Demba Ba also started together up-front. The top-heavy side had only Frank Lampard to call upon in a traditional central midfield role, with Juan Mata and Oscar the conduit between attack and defence. Branislav Ivanovic was shifted out to the right to accommodate Gary Cahill and David Luiz in the centre while Ashley Cole took up his usual position on the left.

Arsene Wenger kept up his incredible record of taking Arsenal into the Champions League in every one of his 16 years in charge as the Gunners managed to secure the win they needed on the final day, winning 1-0 against Newcastle thanks to a 2^nd half goal from Laurent Koscielny. The defender’s strike on 52 minutes separated the two sides at St.James’ Park in a scrappy game at best, which was unsurprising considering the stakes. Chelsea’s victory means that Arsenal will finish 4^th, ahead of Tottenham, who once again suffered heartbreak on the final day in the race for the Top Four.

Newcastle had their strongest eleven out on the pitch to welcome Arsenal as Papiss Demba Cisse led the line ahead of an attacking midfield which had Jonas Gutierrez, Yoan Gouffran and Haten Ben Arfa. Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote had the central area covered, backing up a back four of Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbwia and Mathieu Debuchy.

Judgement day for Arsenal has arrived, the Gunners will be making a trip to St.James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Sunday on the final day of the 2012-13 season. In what is a must win game for Arsenal, Manager Arsene Wenger is forced to look to the bench for a deep lying midfielder after Mikel Arteta sustained an injury in their last encounter, but Arsenal look set for three points following a series of good away performances in the latter part of the season. Newcastle on the other hand has had a terrible last few weeks at home yet, they are sitting in a decent 13th place in the Premier League, having done enough to put the scare of relegation just about behind them.

The Magpies will not go down without putting up a fight and Arsene Wenger is well aware of that. His side have worked hard to turn their fortunes around this season following Robin van Persie’s departure to Manchester United. The previous fixture between the two sides ended 7-3 in Arsenal’s favour with Theo Walcott grabbing a hat-trick , the highest goals score in any Premier League game this season.

Manchester United is set to meet 8th placed West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns this Sunday in their final game of what has been an epic season. With the Red Devils comfortably perched on the top of the table, the Premiership in their clutches, and any result incapable of bringing about any change for The Baggies, Sunday’s encounter would have been insignificant in any other season...but not this time... The match at the Hawthorns is set to be one of the most watched matches in football as it would signal the end of the managerial career for arguably the biggest name ever to walk the sidelines of a football match – Sir Alex Ferguson.

There would be no violent skirmishes worth remembering, no sideline arguments worth paying attention to, no rivalries worth following... all eyes would be on the ONE man... that man who redefined the very essence of English Football – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Top News

David Beckham announces retirement

This season has been tough on all the football fans as they see their favorite stars take the field for the last time. David Beckham joins a long list of players set to retire at the end of the season after rejecting a one-year extension with PSG as the former England international feels it is the right time to go. Having made his debut with Manchester United almost 20 years ago, Beckham went on to play for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and PSG as he became the first British player to win domestic in 4 different countries. TheGuardian quotes the 38-year old midfielder saying, “Over the years, when I've seen players retire, when you ask them about it, they always say you'll know when you're ready. I think I'm ready. I love the game so much. I just feel that … I don't know. It's the right time. I believe it's the right time.”

Lampard extends Chelsea stay for another year

After much speculation throughout the year, Chelsea have finally done what the fans wanted and signed midfielder Frank Lampard for another season. Lampard was due to be a free agent in the summer and several clubs were chasing the 34-year old’s signature but the Blues have offered the club’s record goal scorer a new one-year deal in line with the club’s policy for players over 30 years. The Telegraphquote Lampard saying, “I'm absolutely delighted. Everybody knows I always maintained the dream was to stay at Chelsea. I want to thank Mr Abramovich [Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich] for everything he's done in making the dream a reality.”

Top News

Pellegrini hands City his shopping list before being confirmed as new boss

Manuel Pellegrini has yet to be confirmed as the next Manchester City manager but the Chilean has already handed the Citizens a 5-man shortlist of players he wants to sign when he arrives at the Etihad. According to the Daily Star, Pellegrini has been cleared by Malaga to join City and the Chilean has reportedly agreed a 2-year deal. The players being targeted by Pellegrini for City include Malaga midfielder Isco, Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria, Sevilla duo Jesus Navas and Geoffrey Kondogbia and Dortmund hotshot Marco Reus. Pellegrini has reportedly agreed a two-year deal worth £4.6million a year and an official announcement will be made after the end of the season.

Isco to follow his manager to Manchester

One of the perks of appointing a new manager is that the new boss will bring along the stars from his old club which his new team desperately desired earlier. And as Manuel Pellegrini edges ever so closer to the Manchester City hotseat, the Telegraph understands that Malaga midfielder Isco could be the next name to head from Spain to Manchester. The FA Cup losing finalists are hoping that Pellegrini’s arrival will boost their chances of landing 21-year old midfielder Isco and are willing to match the player’s £17million release clause.

Just when you thought Chelsea cannot possibly play any more matches than it already has, another one pops up (potentially). The Blues might have to play another London derby against Arsenal to decide who will have to play the two-legged qualifier for the Champions League and who gets direct entry in the next season.

Owing to Arsenal’s massive 4-1 win at the Emirates against recently crowned F.A. Cup winners Wigan, they have introduced a unique possibility of two teams having to need to take part in a playoff to decide positions. If Chelsea play out a goalless 0-0 draw against Everton and Arsenal win 2-1 at the Sports Direct Arena (or any similar result - Arsenal winning 3-2, and Chelsea drawing 1-1 for example), both Chelsea and Arsenal will finish on the exact same number of points (73), identical goal difference(+35) and goals scored (73 or more).