LONDON: Jermain Defoe capped a spirted Sunderland fightback as they defeated outgoing champions Chelsea 3-2 to push Newcastle down into the Premier League relegation zone.
Sunderland started the day in the bottom three but swapped places with their north-east rivals, who drew at Aston Villa, by seeing off the Blues at the Stadium of Light.
Chelsea led at 1-0 and 2-1 – Diego Costa and Gary Cahill scoring either side of a beautifully hit volley from Wahbi Khazri. They also had skipper John Terry sent off in what may thus have proved his last game for the club.
Sam Allardyce’s Black Cats then seized the moment with two goals in three minutes, Fabio Borini levelling against his old club and Defoe sealing all three points.
John Terry, set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, was sent off in the closing moments.
Newcastle could manage no better than a 0-0 draw at already relegated Villa to sit one point behind Sunderland, having played one game more.
Leicester celebrated the greatest day in their 132-year history in style as the newly-crowned Premier League champions comprehensively beat Everton before lifting the trophy.
Claudio Ranieri’s men this season produced one of the most remarkable feats in sporting history, going from supposed relegation fodder and 5,000/1 outsiders to win the league for the first time with two matches to spare.
There was a magical atmosphere around the King Power Stadium for the final home match of a campaign to cherish, with Leicester winning their title party 3-1 as Roberto Martinez’s side were completely overrun.
City, like their fans, showed no hangover from the celebrations that have been ongoing since Tottenham drew at Chelsea on Monday, with Jamie Vardy requiring just five minutes of his return from suspension to put the home side ahead.
Andy King provided the goal with a wonderful cross and the academy graduate, part of the Leicester side that won the League One and Championship crowns, struck home the second to raise the noise levels several notches.
Vardy scored his 24th league goal of the campaign with a second-half penalty but missed another spot-kick shortly afterwards, although that and a late Kevin Mirallas goal were never going to stop a party that now rolls onto Chelsea and a title parade on May 16.
Manchester United reduced the gap on fourth-placed Manchester City to one point with a 1-0 win over a Norwich side who now seem doomed.
United needed a win to keep the pressure on their neighbours for the final Champions League place and, although it was far from a classic display, Juan Mata brought back the points after capitalising on Sebastien Bassong’s error at the back.
The Canaries are not mathematically down but are four points away from safety and their fate lies in the hands of others.
West Ham lost their penultimate game at Upton Park as Swansea claimed a 4-1 win to dent the home side’s European ambitions.
The visitors were two-up at half-time through Wayne Routledge and Andre Ayew. Ki Sung-yeung made it 3-0 before Hammers substitute Diafra Sakho and Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis added to the scoreline.
Crystal Palace were 2-1 winners over Stoke at Selhurst Park, formally ensuring survival, with Dwight Gayle making a timely case for an FA Cup final starting spot.
He scored both of his side’s goals in the second half to overturn a Potters lead earned through Charlie Adam’s 27th-minute effort.
Bournemouth and West Brom, two sides who have already achieved their primary aim for the season by surviving, drew 1-1 at Dean Court.
Salomon Rondon gave the Baggies a 16th-minute lead but Craig Gardner spurned the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot.
Substitute Matt Ritchie made him rue that miss by grabbing an equaliser eight minutes from time.
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