The Stagcom 30th May Round Up
Aren't bank holiday weekends just the best? That extra day makes it all the better, three-day weekends should be a permanent fixture!
What makes a bank holiday even better, is a load of sport to watch and that's exactly what we were able to enjoy this weekend. Here's our very own take on all that took place over the last few days.
TOWN PROMOTED
Huddersfield Town were promoted to the Premier League after beating Reading 4-3 on penalties in the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley yesterday.
If we're honest, it was an incredibly dull final with neither side creating much in the way of chances throughout the 120 minutes before the shootout. The only exception to that was the open goal that Izzy Brown missed early on!
Reading went ahead in the shootout after Michael Hefele missed his spot-kick, but after Liam Moore and Jordan Obita's misses, German defender Christoher Schindler had the chance to put Town in the Premier League and he delivered.
Next season will be Huddersfield's first season in the top-flight of English football for 45 years. It has been an incredible season for David Wagner and his team.
WENGER IN?
Arsenal surprised everyone by defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup Final on Saturday. A comfortable victory for Chelsea was anticipated as they sought a league and cup double, but Arsenal were thoroughly impressive throughout.
With Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny missing, Arsenal had to put together a makeshift back three of Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal. But that didn't stop Arsenal taking an early lead through Alexis Sanchez. Chelsea's task of drawing level was made harder after Victor Moses was shown a second yellow card for diving. Despite their one-man disadvantage, Diego Costa pulled Chelsea level, but just seconds later Aaron Ramsey headed in to win it for the Gunners.
It is Arsene Wenger's seventh FA Cup triumph with the Gunners and the question now is; will he stay? Well that has just become clearer, with Wenger supposedly agreeing a new two-year deal today!
FIRST TITLE
Exeter held their nerve to beat Wasps in extra time to win their first ever Premiership title in a pulsating final.
The Chiefs led 14-3 after tries from Jack Nowell and Phil Dollman, but Wasps rallied in the second half and scored tries of their own through Jimmy Gopperth and Elliot Daly. With pretty much the last kick of the game, Gareth Steenson forced extra-time with a penalty.
Steenson was once again the hero in extra time, with just three minutes remaining to cap a wonderful display.
VETTEL WINS
Sebastien Vettel claimed victory at the Monaco Grand Prix to extend his lead in the championship to 25 points over Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari teammate, Kimi Raikkonen finished in second place, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo completing the podium finishes. It was a disappointing day for Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, after starting 13th on the grid, he could only fight his way to a seventh placed finish.
MIXED WEEKEND
In cricket, England's one-day international side were in action twice over the course of the bank holiday weekend against South Africa and had mixed success.
On Saturday, England won a thrilling match by two runs as it went to the last over. South Africa needed just seven runs from the final over, but Mark Wood bowled a fine over to restrict the tourists to just four runs and give England an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
It meant that there wasn't anything riding on yesterday's final ODI of the series, but England will still be disappointed with how they performed as they lost by seven wickets. England were all out for just 153 and South Africa rattled their target off in just 28 overs.
Next up for England is their Champions Trophy opening match with Bangladesh on Thursday.
Image credits: ITV News, Arsenal Fan TV, Exeter Chiefs, BBC Sport, England Cricket, Chicago Tribune