West Ham United were relegated from the Premier League on the final day, despite a 3-0 victory over Leeds United. The result was not enough to overhaul Tottenham Hotspur, who held a two-point advantage and a superior goal difference entering the last matchday.

Spurs produced a lively start and were rewarded shortly before halftime when João Palhinha finished a scrappy effort from a Mathys Tel corner to give Roberto De Zerbi’s side the lead. That advantage proved decisive: Tottenham secured the three points needed to guarantee their place in the division next season.

West Ham staged a stirring late response in their game as Taty Castellanos headed the Hammers ahead with just over 20 minutes remaining. Jarrod Bowen added a second and Callum Wilson clipped a stoppage-time third, completing the 3-0 scoreline against Leeds, but Spurs refused to surrender their winning position.

The outcome consigns West Ham to the Championship alongside Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Replacements in the top flight will be Coventry City, Ipswich Town and playoff winners Hull City.

Relegation ends West Ham’s 14-year stay in the Premier League and marks only their third drop to the second tier since 1993. The club’s recent history in the Championship includes coming up short in the playoff final in 2003-04 before winning promotion the following season, and responding to their previous relegation by winning the playoffs in 2011-12.

There is reason for cautious optimism at London Stadium because West Ham have a strong record in the second tier, and they will be among the favourites to return at the first attempt. Much will depend on how many members of the current squad remain at the club.

Roberto De Zerbi has told the club and supporters he intends to remain at Tottenham even if the side are relegated on the final day of the 2025–26 season. A point will do for the Lilywhites, unless West Ham United beat Leeds United by 12 goals at the London Stadium, a sequence that the report describes as beyond the ‘Spursy’ realm. The Hammers must beat Daniel Farke’s gritty Whites to give themselves a chance, having lost back-to-back games.

There is no underestimating how damaging relegation would be for a club considered part of the so-called Big Six. The ramifications would be long-lasting, yet the club would have a mightily talented coach leading the way in the second tier if the worst unfolds.

The managerial change that preceded De Zerbi was abrupt. Igor Tudor’s woeful 44-day tenure came to an end following a chastening 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest. Spurs then moved quickly to recruit De Zerbi, offering him the world. The Italian had departed Marseille after 18 tumultuous months in February and signed a five-year contract at Tottenham, but many remained sceptical about whether he would stick around if he failed to keep the team up.

Since his arrival, De Zerbi’s impact has been noticeable. Players have begun to buy in, performances have improved, and Spurs have recorded two wins under his watch. There is a sense among the staff and observers that the Italian could build something special at the club if they survive the drop.

With the possibility of relegation looming, De Zerbi has reasserted his commitment to the project and to the club in clear terms. “Yes, I confirm everything,” the Spurs boss said, disclosing his plans. “For me, it’s still an honor to be a coach for Tottenham, even if on Sunday we play for the relegation fight, it’s not a problem.”

He added: “I consider football something more than the table, than the level of the game.” A fatalistic fanbase, still stung by a missed opportunity at Stamford Bridge midweek, will arrive at the decisive fixture braced for a tense afternoon.

The Premier League reaches its final day with several distinct threads still to be resolved. Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park to conclude an historic campaign, and how their players respond to Tuesday night’s extended title celebrations will be obvious from the first whistle. Selection changes are expected and could produce either a lively goal fest or a subdued end to the season. The trophy will be presented after the final whistle, with skipper Martin Ødegaard first to lay hands on the prize. Twenty-two years of anguish banished to the history books.

Tottenham face a far more fraught finish. Despite sitting in the driving seat for survival, Spurs remain uncertain of their safety. West Ham are two points behind with a much worse goal difference, which leaves Tottenham realistically needing only a draw at home to Everton to secure their top-flight status. West Ham host Leeds United knowing their destiny is out of their hands, while Tottenham must arrest the inconsistency that has defined their campaign.

Chelsea can still affect their European destination with a trip to Sunderland. With incoming manager Xabi Alonso watching, the Blues can secure continental football next season, whether via the Europa League or the Conference League, the latter having been won by the Blues in 2024–25. Victory at the Stadium of Light would give them a decent chance of making the Europa League, but they will require a favour from Manchester United at Brighton & Hove Albion. A draw makes progression trickier and defeat could prove fatal to their hopes.

Manchester City’s finale at the Etihad against Aston Villa marks the end of an era. Pep Guardiola will oversee his final game as Man City boss at home, and club icons John Stones and Bernardo Silva will also be saying their goodbyes. Guardiola and his players will be determined to finish with a fitting result.

Liverpool will bid farewell to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson after nine-year spells at Anfield. A win or draw at home to Brentford will guarantee Champions League qualification; a defeat is unlikely to drop them out of the top five given Bournemouth’s need for a seven-goal swing to overtake sixth.

Manchester United travel to Brighton with nothing riding on the result except Bruno Fernandes’ individual chase. “The Portuguese playmaker, who was named Premier League Player of the Season on Saturday, is hunting down the division’s assist record. Having tied with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry last time out, one more assist on the south coast will take his tally to an unprecedented 21 for the season.”