Premier League final day: Old Trafford scare, City secure fourth, Arsenal edge Tottenham on table

Olivier Giroud scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa to help propel Arsenal ahead of Tottenham to second place in the final English Premier League standings for the 2015/16 season. Photo / Getty

The craziest Premier League season on record endured an even more dramatic finale with Manchester United's clash with Bournemouth abandoned due to a security threat at Old Trafford.

Tens of thousands of fans were ordered from the 75,600 capacity stadium after a suspicious package was found, with army experts staging a controlled explosion of the package after the crowd had been evacuated.

The abandoned match will be played on Tuesday, May 17 at 8:00pm local time (1900 GMT), the English Premier League announced.

Kick-off was initially delayed for 45 minutes but with a 'code red' security threat, authorities made the decision to call the game off.

Given the way results fell on the final day, United will make the Europa League regardless of the result against Bournemouth.

All the other nine games kicked off as scheduled.

RACE FOR FOURTH

In on-field action, Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Swansea renders the United clash irrelevant to the Champions League race, with Manuel Pellegrini leaving the club in fourth spot.

Kelechi Iheanacho got City off to the perfect start with a goal in the fifth minute, after lead up work from Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero. Andre Ayew levelled for Swansea, who put in a spirited display, but the point is enough to ensure City cannot be caught by United when they make up their clash with Bournemouth.

TOTTENHAM v ARSENAL

There was another extraordinary twist in the duel between north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal to finish above each other.

Spurs have not finished above the Gunners since 1995 and that drought will continue after a huge final day capitulation by Tottenham to round out a horror final four fixtures. When word filtered through to the Emirates that Spurs had copped a third, then fourth, then fifth goal, there was jubilation in the stands as Gunners fans celebrated securing second spot for the first time since 2005.

Not only did Arsenal triumph 4-0 over the woeful, last placed Aston Villa via an Olivier Giroud treble and an emotional departing goal for Mikel Arteta, but Mauricio Pochettino's side crumbled to an astonishing 5-1 defeat to relegated Newcastle United.

Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic's red card for a shocking challenge, Rafa Benitez's men said goodbye to the Premier League in style in front of the St James's Park faithful via goals from Georginio Wijnaldum, Mitrovic, Rolando Aarons and Daryl Janmaat.

EUROPA LEAGUE

Ronald Koeman has guided Southampton to the Europa League after their 4-1 win over Crystal Palace moved them provisionally into fifth spot, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.

Louis van Gaal's side can overtake the Saints with three points against Bournemouth, but irrespective of that result, Koeman's achievement has flown under the radar this season given Leicester's place in the limelight.

West Ham, who lost 2-1 at Stoke, and Liverpool, who drew 1-1 against West Brom courtesy of an excellent Jordon Ibe goal, finished in seventh and eighth.

Should Manchester United also win the FA Cup, the Hammers will then still sneak into the Europa League.

GUARD OF HONOUR

Claudio Ranieri was given a fitting return to Stamford Bridge, as the dethroned champions presented Leicester with a guard of honour. The Italian was the first Chelsea boss sacked by Roman Abramovich, and he was given a warm reception by the home supporters.

In typical Leicester fashion, they were not going to finish this fairy tale season with a loss. Danny Drinkwater ensured they salvaged a point with a wonderful long range strike after Cesc Fabregas gave Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot.

FINAL PREMIER LEAGUE HONOURS
CHAMPIONS: Leicester
AUTOMATIC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Leicester, Arsenal, Tottenham
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING: Manchester City
EUROPA LEAGUE: Southampton, Manchester United, Crystal Palace (if they win the FA Cup) or West Ham (if Manchester United win FA Cup)
RELEGATED: Norwich, Newcastle United, Aston Villa