Newcastle United clinched a place in next season's Champions League qualifying competition when they beat Birmingham City today while both Liverpool and Chelsea lost.
Hugo Viana scored Newcastle's only goal in their 1-0 victory from a free kick after 42 minutes following a red card handed to City's Matthew Upson by referee David Elleray, officiating in his last match before retiring.
Newcastle moved on to 68 points - four clear of both Liverpool and Chelsea who meet in their final game next weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool were beaten 2-1 at home by Manchester City with both goals being scored by ex-Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka, the winner coming in injury time.
Chelsea stayed in fourth place despite losing 1-0 at relegation-battlers West Ham who won with a 71st minute goal from substitute Paolo Di Canio, back in the team for the first time since February.
That result moved West Ham out of the bottom three - at least until Bolton Wanderers, who have slipped into the relegation zone, play at Southampton later this evening.
Blackburn Rovers drew 1-1 with already-relegated West Bromwich Albion to keep alive their hopes of securing a UEFA Cup place.
They trail Everton by two points but Everton lost momentum by losing 2-0 at Fulham after Everton conceded two own goals.
Everton's last match is against Manchester United next weekend, while Blackburn should be too good for woeful Tottenham in their last game.
Spurs crashed 5-1 at Middlesbrough, a team who had not scored any goals in their previous four matches.
Aston Villa beat Sunderland 1-0 at Villa Park to inflict a 13th successive league defeat on the north east side.
Manchester United beat Charlton Athletic 4-1 in the lunchtime kickoff to move eight points clear of Arsenal at the top, although the Gunners have two games in hand, the first against Leeds United at Highbury tomorrow.