Premier League Roundup: Emotional Endings for Everton and Leicester

Catch up on the emotional farewells at Everton and Leicester, and find out what's at stake for Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League's final stretch.

The battle for Champions League qualification will be decided on the final day of the Premier League season, with five teams vying for the remaining three spots. Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, joining Liverpool in the top-tier competition. However, the chase for the other spots remains intense, with just one point separating third-placed Newcastle from seventh-placed Nottingham Forest.

Emotions ran high for both Everton and Leicester fans on Sunday. Everton marked the end of an era with a 2-0 win over Southampton, closing the chapter on 133 years at Goodison Park. Meanwhile, Leicester celebrated one of their greatest players, Jamie Vardy, as he scored his 200th goal in his 500th appearance for the Foxes against Ipswich.

Arsenal's Season Reflection

Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal's ambitions at the start of the season went beyond finishing second for a third consecutive season. Despite falling short of their goals and suffering a heartbreaking Champions League exit, Arteta found solace in securing a top-five finish. “We had a dream,” Arteta said. “(To) bring the big trophies to you guys and we couldn't do it for many circumstances. We need to make sure that chasing a dream doesn't get blurry and make sure we chase the dream with positivity and enthusiasm for next season.”

Manchester City can move up to third place if they win their game in hand against Bournemouth on Tuesday, following Newcastle's defeat. However, after losing the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, City are under immense pressure to secure a Champions League spot. Despite being pushed down to sixth place after wins for Chelsea and Aston Villa, City's superior goal difference gives them an advantage, with four points from their final two games likely enough to qualify.

Vardy's Legacy

Jamie Vardy ended his remarkable Leicester career on a high note after a season that otherwise won't be remembered fondly by the Foxes. Signed from non-league Fleetwood Town in 2012, Vardy played a pivotal role in Leicester's stunning 2015-16 Premier League title win and also helped the team secure their first FA Cup in 2021.

Jamie Vardy's 200th and final @LCFC goal, on his farewell appearance 🥹
pic.twitter.com/Jie6Tkd9pM

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 18, 2025

Vardy's Emotional Farewell

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha praised Jamie Vardy as “a symbol of the spirit that defined the most successful era in our history,” adding that he “rightly carries the title of our greatest of all time.” Vardy, visibly emotional during his substitution in the second half, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I've enjoyed every minute of this. I look forward to keeping an eye on the club I love.” The 38-year-old has yet to announce his next destination as Leicester prepares for a Championship campaign.

Emotions ran high at Goodison Park as Everton fans bid farewell to the iconic stadium, where the club had enjoyed its most glorious moments. Despite a 30-year trophy drought, the Toffees boast nine top-flight titles, a feat surpassed by only four other clubs. A 2-0 win over already-relegated Southampton, courtesy of Iliman Ndiaye's brace, ensured a fitting end to an era.

Some goals just mean more 💙

Iliman Ndiaye's two goals gave the @Everton fans the celebratory day they had dreamed of pic.twitter.com/bual4GjKsX

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 18, 2025

Everton manager David Moyes aimed to channel the emotional farewell into a catalyst for a brighter future at the team's new 52,000-capacity stadium in Liverpool's docklands. “It is a club that is needing some big days, a big future. Let's hope this is the start of it,»Moyes said. “If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it will be something."