Kai Havertz scores late Arsenal winner

Arsenal claimed a late win over Everton on the final day but suffered title heartbreak for a second season in a row.

Manchester City's 3-1 victory at home to West Ham crowned them Premier League champions for a fourth consecutive year and rendered the Gunners’ result against Everton meaningless.

The chances of any last-day jeopardy appeared minimal from the outset, but were reduced even further when City went two up early on before Idrissa Gueye’s deflected free-kick in the 40th minute put the visitors ahead at the Emirates.

Takehiro Tomiyasu levelled three minutes later, which was around the time West Ham reduced the deficit at the Etihad, but there would be no dramatic twist in the title race.

A tap-in by Kai Havertz with 89 minutes on the clock did at least ensure the Gunners finished a brilliant season with a 28th league win to show further signs of progress under Mikel Arteta, who will attempt to help his squad go one better next season.

Arsenal had hoped for a favour from rivals Tottenham on Tuesday night, but City’s 2-0 win a few miles up the road ensured Pep Guardiola’s men went into the final day as league leaders.

Nevertheless, a party atmosphere greeted the players onto the pitch despite the absence of Bukayo Saka due to a slight muscle strain.

Havertz signalled the Gunners intent when he drilled over during the first minute, but the partisan feeling around the Emirates dissipated when news filtered through that Phil Foden had put City ahead inside two minutes.

While the crowd went flat, Arsenal stuck to the task at hand and Tomiyasu headed wide before Declan Rice was denied by Jordan Pickford, who then produced a superb reaction save to prevent Seamus Coleman putting through his own net.

Gabriel Martinelli, recalled