At the start of the day it was a three-horse race between Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester City for a Champions League qualification spot.

What followed was a dramatic few hours as all three fell out of the top four at some point during the afternoon before Liverpool and Chelsea eventually claimed the two spots.

This was how the day unfolded...

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Jamie Vardy wins a penalty for Leicester and puts it away after 18 minutes to set the ball rolling. That goal sends Leicester third.

Liverpool were in fifth as they were still drawing with Crystal Palace, who had come close via Andros Townsend. Chelsea and Villa were also 0-0 but that was enough for the Blues.

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Goals were coming in elsewhere but Liverpool eventually put one away through Sadio Mane in the 36th minute.

Liverpool are in third, Leicester fourth and Chelsea in fifth in this moment...

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But Tottenham weren't done.

Harry Kane equalises and suddenly it's Leicester who are out of the top four. With Chelsea still drawing, the Foxes are down to fifth on goal difference.

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Chelsea then concede in the 43rd minute. They are hanging on to a Champions League spot ahead of Leicester on goal difference.

Nervy...

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A quick half-time break to catch our breath and it was needed.

Jamie Vardy gets straight back into the action with another goal from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute. Leicester are back in the top four and Chelsea are out!

And at almost the exact same time, Anwar El Ghazi puts away a penalty to Villa. Chelsea are in a bit of trouble and still out of the top four.

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But Chelsea fight back. Ben Chilwell volleys one back in the 70th minute. Liverpool are still holding on at Palace.

Six minutes later, the collapse begins for Leicester. Kasper Schmeichel's own goal - bringing the score level at 2-2 with Spurs, means they drop out of the top four again.

Chelsea are back in it.

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Liverpool essentially seal the deal at Anfield in the 74th minute while this is going on. Sadio Mane has his second.

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Gareth Bale then delivers the ultimate blow for Leicester.

Two goals in the 87th and 96th minute see Tottenham come away from the King Power with a 4-2 win.

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Chelsea still lost 2-1 to Villa but ended up finishing fourth. Liverpool's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace meant they were in third.

Leicester, in fifth, missed out on the Champions League again.

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After starting the day with a point separating the three teams, it ended with Liverpool being three points clear of fifth-placed Leicester.

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Ex-Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder summed it up well on BBC Radio 5 Live during the Chelsea game: "It's an incredible league we have in this country - all the sub-plots we have going on today and the main event in the qualification for the Champions League, and two English sides will compete in the Champions League final next weekend - it's such an incredible competition we have in this country, fabulous."

That's a wrap!

What a year, what a season and what a final day it turned out to be.

There was heartbreak for Leicester City, relief from Chelsea, celebrations from Liverpool and glory for Manchester City.

The 2020-21 Premier League season saw over 500 away goals - just the second time that's happened - and more teams won away from home for the first time.

All-in-all, it was a rollercoaster ride. But in the end, Manchester City finished on top.

The ride doesn't quite stop yet though - we have a Champions League final, a Europa League final and the big Euros to go. Relentless.

We'll leave you with a play-by-play recap of how today's drama unfolded...

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Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Now it’s time for some ex-team-mates and former managers to pay tribute to Aguero, accompanied by loud cheers from the fans when they flash up. Loudest cheer? For Vincent Kompany or David Silva, let’s call it a draw.

David Silva and Vincent Kompany have messages for him too. There's a huge cheer when they come on the screen.

Pep Guardiola says a bit to camera now.

Sergio Aguero is treated to a video with messages from famous Manchester City connections including Noel Gallagher, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Roberto Mancini, Paul Dickov, Nicolas Otamendi, Pablo Zabaleta, Jason Manford and Ricky Hatton, among others.

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports: "It's completely different without people, we are so lucky to have people when we lift the trophy, it's not full but it's something. It's so much better.

"Every title is nice, this one is different because of the pandemic and the problems that we have all had. That makes it mega special."

On Sergio Aguero: "We love him so much - he is a special person for all of us. We can not replace him. There are many players who have helped us here, he showed his quality in those thirty minutes."

On how they won the title: "Win games, game after game. I think when we won at Stamford Bridge we realised that suffering in the last month, the performance we played there with just 14 players we realised we are still here, we can still do this. We are still here. I think December until March we won all the games in all competitions. This is when we became champions."

On him signing a new contract: "The reality is the players know we will have stability. Maybe we showed that next season we are the same people we will be working together, they realised this manager will stay another year, we keep running, keep fighting."

On Champions League final: "It's a dream come true, for this club, other people have been there, but we haven't, it's our first time and we are going to give everything and we want to win it. It's not enough just being there we want to win it, it's on the lads."

As Chris says, the fans are being treated to a showreel on the big screen. Have a feeling they'll leave THE goal until last.

Aguero is watching on pitchside with the trophy in his hands. He looks emotional.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

We're being shown a montage of Sergio Aguero's goals on the big screens at Etihad Stadium. This could take a while.

Any excuse, eh?

Sergio Aguero is being re-introduced to the pitch for one final farewell. The stadium announcer will be a while describing his honours, legacy and big moments here so be patient...

Leicester City

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers to BBC Sport: "It's hugely disappointing for us. We fought so hard all season. I always said you’re judged after 38 games and unfortunately we couldn’t quite make it.

"I have nothing but pride and admiration for the players. They've constantly had things go against them with injuries. If you look at the importance of the players out today, we were able to take it down to the last game and the last 15 minutes.

"The biggest factor [in losing Wesley Fofana] is we lose that extra height and prescence in set-piece moments. Usually we have Jonny [Evans] and Wesley, good presence and we conceded from two set-pieces.

"I said to the players before the game we’ve been playing non-stop - except for 21 days - for two years. When we started work together we were mid-table and just over two years later we’re challenging the elite and won the FA Cup for the first time in our history and we’re on the right path without the resources [of other teams].

"I have nothing but pride. The ownership have given me amazing support. The players have given me their heart and souls every day. I’m so disappointed for them we couldn't get over the line.

"The fans pushed us through in the FA Cup final. It's brilliant to have them back in again and sorry we couldn’t get over the line. We’ll prepare even harder for next season.

"I’ve always said [the other scores are] not relevant. You have to look after your own score and unfortunately we couldn't.

"We need a period to go away and recover and relax a little bit. Premier League management is intense. We have work to do to improve the squad and come back early July motivated."

Fulham

Fulham boss Scott Parker speaking to Match of the Day: "It was a snapshot of our season. In the second half we had big chances and they probably only enter our box twice but then we switch off and they get a penalty. It was disappointing.

"It’s been a tough season. It’s a rollercoaster. We made a real improvement over a short space of time but we’ve fallen short in the fine margins and the quality of this division."

On the future: "It’s a big summer for us. We'll have players leaving and players coming back who have been out on loan. There are big decisions to be made and we need to make sure we make the right decisions.

"I’ve always been committed here and my main focus has always been to prepare us for the game. That’s exactly the way it stands."

Manchester City

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero speaking to Sky Sports: "I want to say thanks to my team mates because they have helped me a lot - thank you for everything.

"I'm a striker, my target is to score goals so I'm so happy because it's my last game so to score two goals is fantastic for me.

"When I came here the first title for me was the most important, for the club and for me, then Man City started to win more titles so I'm so happy because it's not easy to be 10 years at one club, for me it's an honour."

On whether he feels sad to leave: "Before the game I felt so strange, the sensation is not good. I prefer to think about the good moments.

On playing in Champions League final: "I hope so - I don't know if I will play some minutes but if so I will do my best."

Do you think he will stay at Tottenham?

Hit the thumbs!

Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale says he has decided his future but will not say until after Euro 2020.

The Wales international's loan spell at Spurs from Real Madrid is coming to an end.

"I know what I'm doing but it'll cause chaos if I say," he told Sky Sports.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester City have started a lap of honour parading the Premier League trophy - and they are taking time to pause and acknowledge all 10,000 of the supporters in here (not personally, but you know what I mean).

These players have not seen any fans in here all season, so no wonder they are making the most of moments like this.

Southampton

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, speaking to Sky Sports: "We don’t have to discuss it. This is definitely not Premier League [standard]. We have to change it massively otherwise again it’ll be about relegation [next season].

"The message is relatively clear. We’ve conceded the second most goals in the Premier League. The way we conceded today was a mirror of what we’ve seen this season.

"It’s very frustrating. We need a reality check of what we really can achieve. We don’t deserve any more."

David Moyes took a lot of flak after his unsuccessful stint at Manchester United and elsewhere after that too but what a cracking job he has done at West Ham, leading them into next season's Europa League.

West Ham United

West Ham manager David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was great to be able to show our appreciation [to the fans]. They’ve supported the way we’ve played all season. The players have been fabulous.

"Our goal was to try and get [into Europe]. I was a little disappointed [at missing out] on the Champions League. I wanted to stay in it right to the end, but it’s been an incredible effort from the players.

"I’d like West Ham to be a club competing at the top end of the table rather than the bottom. We have a chance of building and staying in that area.

"The praise tonight is for the players for what they’ve done this season. They’ve allowed us to be critical of them and demand improvements, and they’ve done that all year.

"We’re thrilled we’re in European competition. We go into the new season trying to play as well in the Premier League as we can, and we’ll try and enjoy the European games as well."

Manchester United

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, speaking to BT Sport: "Very happy. Proud of them. They took the ball well, created chances and got the win they deserved."

On Anthony Elanga scoring his first senior goal for the club: "I am sure he will. He could have had two before and just being confident enough to get in there again, very pleased for him and he has a bright future ahead of him.

"Our home form then hasn't been the greatest but what an achievement. To go a season undefeated away is something to be proud of."

On whether Juan Mata will get a new contract: "We are talking to Juan. It is a bit what he wants as well. I don't give him enough game time but he such a professional and top quality. We will have a discussion."