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MANCHESTER, England -- Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for the 16th straight season after edging Tottenham to fourth place in the Premier League, as Alex Ferguson bowed out as Manchester United manager with a 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion. Laurent Koscielnys 52nd-minute volley sealed an unconvincing 1-0 for Arsenal at Newcastle, rendering Spurs 1-0 victory over Sunderland -- courtesy of a late screamer from Gareth Bale -- meaningless. "We celebrated a bit like we had won the championship, which was a bit weird considering the ambition at the start of the season," said Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, whose team won eight and drew two of its last 10 games of the campaign. Chelsea finished third -- and claimed the last automatic Champions League spot -- by beating Everton 2-1 thanks to Fernando Torres winner in Rafa Benitezs last game in charge of the Europa League champions. With the title fight decided a month ago and three relegation spots already settled, the remaining business was bidding farewell to several icons of English football. Ferguson was treated to a wild match at The Hawthorns in his 1,500th and last game at United, with his team surrendering a 5-2 lead in the final 10 minutes to draw. While United midfielder Paul Scholes, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Stoke striker Michael Owen all played their final games before retiring. "I have been here a long time and it has to come to an end sometime," said Carragher, who ended his 737-game career with a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over last-place Queens Park Rangers. There were 36 goals on the final day of the season. None better than Bales latest match-winner from 35 yards for Tottenham that guaranteed an extremely tense final few minutes in the race for fourth between two fierce north London rivals. It meant Arsenal needed to hold onto its lead at St. James Park, and when winger Theo Walcott slid a shot against the post in injury time there was still a chance for Newcastle to muster an equalizer. It wasnt to be for Spurs, though, who missed out on the Champions League on the final day for a second season running. "It was the most nervous I have ever been," Walcott said. "We had to dig deep. No one (outside Arsenal) believed we could do this." Tottenham was in third place and seven points clear of Arsenal after winning the north London derby in March. But not even Bales stream of match-winning goals in recent weeks could hold off Arsenals end-of-season resurgence, just like last season. "It is difficult to take. In the end we did what we had to, but Arsenal did their job well and go through," Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said. "It is difficult at this moment." To make matters worse for Spurs, failing to reach the Champions League will undoubtedly increase the speculation surrounding the future of Bale, who has been linked with many of the worlds top teams after a brilliant season in which he won English footballs Player of the Year award. Spurs finished on 72 points -- its highest total in the Premier League -- but must again play in the Europa League next season. After the last game of his trophy-filled reign of almost 27 years, Ferguson went over to bow to the United fans who had backed him as he waited until 1990 to win the first of 38 trophies for the club. The Scot brought Scholes on as a 69th-minute substitute for his 718th match, but a second-half hat trick from Romelu Lukaku denied a farewell victory for Ferguson. "Were a little bit frustrated because we wanted to win it for (Ferguson) and Scholesy," said Javier Hernandez, one of five different scorers for United. "The gaffer is certainly going to remember his last match in charge." At Stamford Bridge, the jeers that had characterized Benitezs interim reign were absent when he took his place in the Chelsea dugout. Unsurprisingly so, considering the team won the Europa League title four days ago and has qualified for the group stage of the Champions League next season. "Its been a great experience and I will be sad to leave. It is a pity, as you can see the players are improving -- but I will not be here next season" said the unemotional Spaniard, who declined to join his players on a lap of honour. "I have received hundreds of message from Chelsea fans saying thank you." His rivalry as Liverpool manager with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho left Benitez a highly unpopular figure among Blues fans. But his success in also steering the team to FA and League Cup semifinals contributed to an air of appreciation in his final match at the London club. "Thank you Rafa, we forgive you" read a banner from one young supporter. Second-place Manchester City lost 3-2 at home to Norwich, while Philippe Coutinhos superb first-half strike earned Liverpool victory at Anfield. Carragher hit the post with a 40-yard shot after the break. Kevin Nolan scored a hat trick in West Hams 4-2 win over Reading, and Owen rounded off his illustrious career by playing the final 16 minutes for Stoke in a 1-1 draw at Southampton. "I had one chance and a couple of touches. I was pleased to get out there and say my farewell in one piece," said Owen, whose career is better known for spells with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Man United. "It has been a pleasure to play this game." Also, Fulham won 3-0 at Swansea and relegated Wigan drew 2-2 at home to Aston Villa. Vinny Castilla Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Stitched Rockies Jerseys . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/334t-garrett-hampson-jersey-rockies.html . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Custom Colorado Rockies Jerseys . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Bryan Shaw Jersey . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jack Gibbs scored 28 points and Peyton Aldridge contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds to power Davidson past Arizona State 68-60 during the fifth-place game of the Tire Pros Invitational on Sunday.The Wildcats (3-1) were patient throughout and moved the ball around until they found the open man. Gibbs, who also had four assists and two steals, was often that man as he consistently got past the Sun Devil guards for uncontested layups. But Gibbs greatest contribution came at the free throw line where he converted 16 of 21 attempts, including two key free throws with 28.5 seconds remaining to stretch the lead back out to six points. The Sun Devils attempted just 13 free throws as a team.If we are playing one-on-one they might beat us but if we are playing five-on-five I think that was the team thing where we are trying to get better as a team, said Gibbs, whose team had 15 assists off 19 field goals for the game. We made some steps today.In addition to Gibbs and Aldridge, the Wildcats also got double-digit production from Will Magarity (10).Guard Tra Holder led ASU with 18 points before fouling out with 1:45 remaining and his team trailing 62-52. Shannon Evans II also finished with 13 points and seven assists for ASU (3-2).But the Sun Devils, who shot 29 percent from the field in the first half and 32 percent for the game, were hurt by the missed shots of key players like Torian Graham (1 for 12 from the field) and Obinna Oleka (5 for 16).I thought we played as poor of an offensive half as I think we will maybe play all season, said ASU coach Bobby Hurley, whose team pulled within four points late after trailing by as many as 18 in the second half. We are way more capable and better as an offensive team than we showed in the first half. We didnt make shots.Davidson, an Atlantic 10 school, went 2-1 against Power 5 opponents in this weeks tournament.dddddddddddd The Wildcats defeated both Missouri and Arizona State convincingly after losing to Clemson in the opening round.Two very good wins against two very well-coached and very talented teams, said Davidson coach Bob McKillop. To be able to head back to Davidson with two wins against Power 5 teams under our belts is a great statement about us.BIG PICTUREDavidson: The Wildcats proved themselves as a quality team that can play with the big schools. McKillops team beats opponents by being patient, making the extra pass to find the open man. It worked well in wins over Missouri and Arizona State in this tournament. Davidson, however, must take better care of the ball. The Wildcats committed 18 turnovers against ASU.Arizona St: This tournament has to be considered a letdown for the Sun Devils, who suffered double-digit losses to non-Power 5 opponents Northern Iowa and Davidson. Their lone victory in the tournament came against Tulane in a loser bracket game. Holder is the Sun Devils leader but he has to play under control and take better shots.NO CHARITYThere was a huge disparity in free throws for the game with Davidson going 23-30 at from the line, while the Sun Devils had just 13 free throw opportunities and converted seven.The free throw line killed us today, Hurley said. Our inability to get to the free throw line and their ability to get to the line was surprising considering they are a 3-point shooting team.SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTGibbs, who was on fire for much of the tournament, tied a Tire Pros Invitational record with 71 points over the three days.UP NEXTDavidson: The Wildcats face Charlotte at home on Saturday.Arizona St: The Sun Devils return home to face Citadel on Wednesday. ' ' '