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File photo of Spurs and fans celebrating
Tottenham Hotspur overcame Everton to secure the result they required to ensure Premier League survival on a day of nerve-shredding tension.
Spurs needed a point to avoid their first relegation from the top flight since 1977 and send West Ham United into the Championship instead, and only their third home league win of a dismal season ensured they sent their fellow Londoners down instead.
It was all about the result rather than the performance on Sunday and Spurs fully deserved the victory that meant they escape what would have been the biggest, most humiliating relegation of this generation.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unleashed the deafening sound of celebration mixed with relief when Joao Palhinha put them in front of 43 minutes, reacting first after his header hit the post, Everton striker Thierno Barry unable to stop the ball crossing the line.
The only anxiety for head coach Roberto de Zerbi's side came from their own fears and anxiety as opposed to any threat from Everton, who were jaded and out of sorts as their season continued to peter out, barely threatening until late on.
Spurs' one moment of serious concern came in the dying seconds, when keeper Antonin Kinsky produced a magnificent flying save from Everton substitute Tyrique George.
There were understandable scenes of joy at the final whistle of a game in which the start of the second half was delayed because of a problem with the officials' technology.
But once the dust settles on a season that has, in large part, been toxic and embarrassing with three managers taking charge as De Zerbi followed Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, there will be a long inquest into why Spurs came so close to falling into the Championship.
On their part, West Ham's 14-year stay in the Premier League has come to an end after they were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season despite beating Leeds at London Stadium.
The Hammers needed to win and hope that Tottenham lost against Everton to have any hope of retaining their top-flight status.
For a long while it looked like they would struggle to get the victory they needed as they put in a lethargic display in sweltering conditions, with their cause not helped by Spurs having taken a first-half lead against Everton.
But the moment the home fans had been waiting for came in the 67th minute when Taty Castellano headed in Jarrod Bowen's corner at the back post.
It got even better for the home side with 11 minutes remaining as they doubled their lead, Bowen driving a neat, angled finish into the far corner.
Substitute Callum Wilson added a third in stoppage time, and the Hammers had done their part but they still needed Everton to turn things around at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
That outcome failed to materialise as Roberto De Zerbi's side held firm to win and retain their Premier League status.
Relegation means West Ham will play Championship football for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Leeds, meanwhile, finish their campaign in 14th as they lost for the first time in nine games. (Pieced together from BBC reports)



















