Tottenham miss out on second to Arsenal after mauling at Newcastle

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were locked in a two-horse race for the title with Leicester until the final weeks of the season, but lost to Rafa Benitez’s team – who had already been relegated – at St James’ Park after goals from Georginio Wijnaldum (2), Aleksandar Mitrovic, Rolando Aarons and Daryl Janmaat.

Arsenal meanwhile beat Aston Villa 4-0, with a hat-trick from Oliver Giroud and an own goal from Mark Bunn, to leapfrog Spurs into second by a single point.

Both teams will still qualify for the Champions League but Tottenham – who could only muster a single Erik Lamela goal – and their fans will be incredibly disappointed to give up second spot, especially after Mitrovic was sent off in the 65th minute.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side needed just a point to clinch the runners-up place – and finish above their north London rivals for the first time since 1995 – but they simply didn’t show up as Newcastle bid farewell to the Premier League in the most spectacular fashion.

The home fans packed out St James’ Park on an emotional day on Tyneside as they pledged their support for boss Rafa Benitez throughout the contest.

And the players paid tribute to the Spaniard with an impeccable performance. It took just 19 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Wijnaldum slotted the ball past Hugo Lloris from close range.

Andros Townsend put in a Man of the Match performance against his former club and it was his cross which provided the second goal of the game as he picked out the unmarked Mitrovic who headed home on 39 minutes.

Spurs improved for a brief period after the break and hope was restored when Lamela scored from a tight angle on the hour-mark.

Mitrovic went from hero to zero as Newcastle were reduced to 10-men for a reckless tackle on Kyle Walker just five minutes later as the momentum looked to swing Spurs’ way.

They conceded a dubious penalty shortly after, however, as Moussa Sissoko was tripped in the penalty area. Wijnaldum stepped up to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

The hosts only improved in the latter stages as Rolando Aarons and Daryl Janmaat further extended Newcastle’s lead on 85 minutes and 86 minutes respectively to end a truly bizarre encounter.

After such a fantastic season for the Spurs faithful, it has ended in the most disappointing fashion as Arsenal celebrate ‘St Totteringham's Day’ on the final day. Tottenham have failed to record a victory since conceding the league title to Leicester City two weeks ago.

As for Newcastle, how can Rafa Benitez leave after this display?

Will Rafa stay at Newcastle? It is believed he has a get-out clause in the three-year contract he signed in March and this week said he had held "positive" talks with the club.

There is no doubt this squad of players has fought for their manager during his short tenure. The strugglers have now gone six games unbeaten and if he had been appointed just a matter of weeks previous then Newcastle would likely have stayed up.

If the Magpies can somehow keep a hold of the Spaniard, they will surely make an immediate return to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, in north London, Arsenal celebrate 'St Totteringham's Day'. After over 20 years, this was supposed to be the year Tottenham grabbed their revenge on their fierce rivals – but it wasn’t to be as they produced a lacklustre and simply gutless performance.

And while boss Mauricio Pochettino insisted he wasn’t bothered about Arsenal’s finishing place, this will have hurt Spurs deeply.

Andros Townsend (Newcastle United) – Tortured his former club from start to finish. He did everything but score. Can Newcastle keep a hold of him in the Championship though?

Newcastle: Darlow 7; Janmaat 7, Taylor 7, Mbemba 7, Dummett 7; Tiote 8, Colback 7; Townsend 9, Sissoko 8, Wijnaldum 8; Mitrovic 6. Subs: Sterry 6, Shelvey 6, Aarons 8.

Tottenham: Lloris 6; Walker 5, Alderweireld 5, Vertonghen 5, Davies 5; Dier 5, Mason 4; Lamela 5, Eriksen 4, Son 4; Kane 5. Subs: Carroll 5, Chadli 6, Onomah 6.

19' - GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 Tottenham - Oh dear, Spurs are in trouble, Newcastle have the lead! The visitors fail to clear a cross, Sissoko sends the ball back into the danger area where Mitrovic feeds Wijnaldum who slots the ball past Lloris.

39' - GOAL! Newcastle 2-0 Tottenham - The hosts double their lead and surely there is no way back for Spurs now. Townsend has time and space to pick out Mitrovic who is left unmarked to head the ball past Lloris. Awful, dreadful defending.

60' - GOAL! Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham - They've been poor but Spurs are right back in this contest! Lamela smashes the ball into the top corner from a tight angle, Darlow should do better, but Pochettino and Co won't care one bit - they've been given a lifeline!

73' - GOAL! Newcastle 3-1 Tottenham - Wijnaldum steps up... and scores! Sissoko was fouled in the penalty area, it was a dubious decision, but Newcastle won't care. It's a long way back for Spurs now.

81' - CHANCE! Sissoko is played through one-on-one with the goalkeeper... but Lloris stands up tall and makes the save!

85' - GOAL! Newcastle 4-1 Tottenham - Townsend smashes the ball off the post, it falls to Aarons who does brilliantly to finish!

86' - GOAL! Newcastle 5-1 Tottenham - Wow, wow, wow. Ten-man Newcastle are leading 5-1! Janmaat slots in from Aaron's pass. This is incredible. How can Rafa leave after this?

FULL-TIME! Newcastle have thrashed Tottenham 5-1 on a dramatic final day in the Premier League. The result means Spurs drop to third, below fierce rivals Arsenal.

Harry Kane (25) will become the first English player to win the PL Golden Boot since Kevin Phillips scored 30 for Sunderland in 1999/2000 (Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth's top PL scorers have 11 and six respectively).

Newcastle last scored five or more goals in a single PL match on 18 October, when they beat Norwich City 6-2 at home.

Spurs concede five goals in a PL away match for the first time since the 6-0 defeat at Manchester City on 24 November 2013.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is the first Newcastle player to score and receive a red card in the same Premier League match since Laurent Robert in their 1-1 home draw with Arsenal on 9 February 2003.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored and provided an assist in the same PL match for the second time, after the 2-1 win at Spurs on 13 December.

All 10 of Georginio Wijnaldum's PL goals have been scored at St James' Park. Only Sergio Agüero (15) and Jamie Vardy (14) have scored more PL home goals this season (Harry Kane also 10).

Wijnaldum is the 10th Dutchmen to score 10+ goals in a PL season. Also: Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy, Hasselbaink, Bergkamp, Van der Vaart, Kuyt, Bryan Roy, Overmars and Collins John.