Given how desperate Tottenham were to win, the referee Andre Marriner, right, had to calm the players of both sides down. Ian Kington / AFP
Gareth Bale looks at his phone as he leaves the ground after the game. His excellent performance all season, which won him the Player of the Year award from the Premier League, may have been little consolation for the winger. Ian Kington / AFP
It was festive atmosphere at St James Park, home to Newcastle United yesterday with their final English Premier League game to be played. Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, and Derek Llambias, the club's managing director, were present to mark the occasion???
And as the game got scrappier, the referee had to swing into action. Here, David Vaughan, of Sunderland, was sent off with 15 minutes left in the game. Ian Walton / Getty Images
Steve Harper, the Newcastle goalkeeper, acknowledged the fans after his last match for the club. Harper was one of a few players to end their playing careers, including Paul Scholes, of Manchester United, Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool defender, and Stoke???
There was disappointment for Fabricio Coloccini, the Newcastle captain, whose side have also endured a difficult time following what a successful 2011/12 season. Stu Forster / Getty Images
All the way south of England, Tottenham Hotspur had only one choice, which was to beat visiting Sunderland in London - and pray for an Arsenal defeat or draw - if they stood any chance of Champions League qualification. Andre Villas-Boas was, however, rem???
Sunderland were competitive on several occasions of the game. Here, Danny Graham was seen battling with Tottenham's Michael Dawson. Jan Kruger / Getty Images
Another man upbeat ahead of the game was Daniel Levy, right, the Tottenham chairman, seen having a laugh with David Bernstein, chairman of the English Football Association. Jan Kruger / Getty Images
Unfortunately for the Spurs, the win made no difference to the standings with Arsenal having beaten Newcastle away. Both matches ended at about the same time and players only found out what their fate was going to be towards the end. Sang Tan / AP Photo
The game was going to be centered around Gareth Bale, the Tottenham winger, whose was seen in several tussles with Sunderland's Sebastian Larsson. Bale was even shown a yellow for diving. Stephen Pond / AP Photo
It was probably doubly sweet for the Arsenal players after denying Tottenham Hotspur, their arch derby rivals, to fourth place. Ian MacNicol / AFP
Sunderland's was a performance that Paolo di Canio, the manager, was largely pleased about, except for moments including Vaughan's sending off. Sang Tan / AP Photo
The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when Laurent Koscielny beat goalkeeper Steve Harper to score the only goal of the game. Lindsey Parnaby / EPA
A lot rode on the win for Arsenal, not least Arsene Wenger's record of taking the Gunners to Europe for 15 consecutive seasons. Russell Cheyne / Reuters
It was a predictably tense affair on the pitch, though, with the hosts looking to end the season on a high. But crucially for Arsenal, a win would take them to the Uefa Champions League next season. Theo Walcott, left, therefore, played and led with purpo???
