Ahead of the weekend, the two mid-week games on Wednesday promised to be truly significant for all the clubs involved. Tops on the interest list was the big confrontation for the final Champions League finishing place; the battle for fourth with Spurs visiting Eastlands. A tense battle in West London had Fulham hosting Stoke City.

The Cottagers, with the most successful season ever for the small London club, are looking to push themselves back up into the top half of the table (sitting 11th ahead of the match with Stoke) as they also look forward to their first ever European Final against Atletico.

Fulham, a tough nut to crack when playing at home (only three clubs have conceded fewer goals (14) on their home ground: United, Spurs and Birmingham) were on form from the off. This one would be a little different as a late goal (83) from Etherington would settle it and give Stoke a 1-0 win at the Cottage. Fulham without Zamora were quite a different bunch and they lost Duff to a knock at the break. Dempsey featured up top and had a decent effort but couldn't come up with the needed goal as the Europa Cup finalists lose their final home game of the season.

And of course, the match with enormous consequences, City hosting Spurs with the north London outfit holding a one point advantage ahead of the mid-week clash. Truth be told, the positions of the club's might have, and perhaps should have been reversed. City was well placed and holding three games in hand but now find themselves behind Tottenham because they failed to take full advantage of those matches.

In the meantime Spurs went on the best run of their season taking the position for themselves in the process. That stoppage time header from Scholes that won the Manchester Derby for United was a key moment not only for the Red Devils, but for City & Spurs too. And now, the big one for both. A Tottenham victory would win them that final Champions League place regardless of what happens on the weekend. A win for City would put the focus on the weekend matches that would decide it.

And the contest was one of those scoreless draws that didn't need a goal to hold your interest as it produced good chances and terrific play from the start. Chances, saves and near misses at either end and determined attacking play made it a thrill a minute for the opening 25 for sure. In the 18th Crouch got on the end of a cross with a full stretch diving header that came back off the near post and just three minutes later Ledley King headed in a corner that was denied because he had used Gareth Barry for a ladder.

At that point the game took a turn and became a bit less frenzied but still a flowing game that produced chances for both sides. Young Adam Johnson was again a key man for City and a blast from his left stung Gomes but it was Spurs that were looking the side most likely to score. A teasing cross from Lennon eluded Bale at the near post and Crouch at the back but the goal would come. Spurs got their reward in the 82nd minute when Crouch nodded in a rebound from Fulop locking Spurs into CL territory and sending the world's richest club to the Europa League next term with the 1-0 win. City have taken it on the chin lately with the stoppage time winner by Scholes in the big derby and now this loss to Spurs both on their home ground too. Gareth Barry had to come off in the 56th after a collision with Kompany and Viera came on to finish for him but the injury could rule him out of the World Cup.

Chelsea stomped Wigan at the Bridge 8-0 to win the title in record setting fashion with a team output of 103 goals. Drogba's hat-trick led the parade and secured the golden boot with his 29 league goals. The Blues now look to next weekend and the FA Cup Final to do the double and become only the 7th team to do so.

Meanwhile Man United defeated Stoke 4-0 at Old Trafford to keep the Blues margin to a single point on goals from Giggs, Fletcher and Park. Stoke's Danny Higginbotham provided the 4th with his OG. Rooney sparked concern over his injury status when he withdrew from the match with 14 minutes on the clock.

Arsenal needing at least a draw to ensure holding 3rd entertained Fulham at the Emirates and swept them off the pitch with a 4-0 victory. Anrei Arshavin returned from injury to open the scoring (21). RVP added the second (26) and a Chris Baird OG the third (37) ahead of Calos Vela's in the 84th.

Relegated Burnley hoping to produce a last weekend shocker and return to their early season form at Truf Moor faced a Tottenham side still giddy over their Champions League finishing place. Spurs seemed to have the game well in hand running out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Bale (3) and Modric (32) before the Clarets launched their improbable comeback that produced 4 unanswered goals to win it 4-2. The Clarets pulled one back before the break from Wade Elliott (42) before taking charge in the second half. Jack Cork leveled (54) and Martin Paterson provided the match winner (71) before Steve Thompson's late goal put it out of reach of Spurs (88).

Aston Villa looking to rise a place in the table to avoid their 3rd consecutive 6th place finish faced a stubborn Blackburn looking to crack the top ten. The match was a stalemate until Richard Dunne headed the ball into his own net (84) handing Rovers a 1-0 victory and pinning Villa right where they've ended the past three seasons.

Bolton ended their disappointing season with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at the Reebok.

Everton welcomed Portsmouth to Goodison and ended the terribly difficult season for Pompey with a last gasp match winner in stoppage time from Bilyaletdinov (90).

Hull City would like nothing better than adding to the pain for Liverpool and they did just that holding the Reds in a lackluster scoreless draw. The Reds produced 21 shots but as if to illustrate why they finish the season in 7th only 3 of them were on frame. A fitting end to the reign of Rafa (hopefully).

West Ham survives but only just and Man City falls short of their goal so this match might be viewed by fans as the opening match of the next campaign. The Hammers seem to have made things more difficult for themselves of late conceding goals early and needing a fightback to get back in it in their most recent games. Truth be told they may not have survived at all had Hull been a bit more productive over the last three. That being the case both sides need a rousing performance to lift the spirits and none more than the home standing Hammers. Perhaps that's why the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Sunderland took a 1-0 lead via Kenwynne Jones (8) and Wolves leveled on a Doyle penalty conversion just two minutes later. The match winner for Wolves came from Guedioura (78). The Black Cats were reduced to 9 men before it was over with a 2nd yellows to Turner (82) and Colback (90) that cut off their hopes of a rally.

Newcastle United produced wonderful season in the Championship winning top spot with a high scoring offense and stellar defense as well. The Magpies notched 90 goals while conceding only 35 to earn a total of 102 points and an 11 point advantage over second place and yo-yo team West Brom to earn the two automatic promotion spots.

In an interesting stat the lowest scoring team in the 24 team league, Swansea City, finished in 7th only one point from a playoff position. Swansea managed only 40 goals but the only side that conceded fewer was the title winner Newcastle as their defense allowed only 37. Reading FC's dramatic revival that saw them rise from the relegation zone to finish 9th bodes well for their future.

The weekend also featured the playoff for the final promotion spot with 3rd place finisher Nottingham Forest traveling to Blackpool and losing the first leg 2-1. Forest are looking forward to keeping their unbeaten run at City Field (28 games) on track and are confident of recovering in the 2nd leg.

Cardiff takes a 1-0 lead over Leicester back home for the 2nd leg in the mid-week on a brilliant free kick from Whittingham (78).

A very interesting and entertaining EPL season ends and soccer fans begin to focus their attention on South Africa. USA's June 11 opener against England has already generated a lot of interest with the USMNT having an uphill battle to advance beyond the group stage.

Looking forward to the PDL opener in Ocean City as the Nor'easters host the Hampton Roads Piranhas to raise the curtain on their 14th season on Saturday. The match doubles as a US Open Cup qualifier, so I hope to see everyone there.