Analysis: A bruising final day - and season

This was a very different final day for Newcastle.

Whereas Eddie Howe's side were playing for a place in the Champions League a year ago, 12 months on they already knew they were out of the race to qualify for Europe.

However, Howe had warned before the trip to Craven Cottage that "this game will live long with us" going into the summer break.

Those reasons will not be positive and the defeat will be especially bitter given rivals Sunderland qualified for the Europa League on the final day.

With an eye on next season, Howe changed systems once more, fielding a back five and curiously taking Harvey Barnes - who had scored two goals in his previous two games - and the departing Kieran Trippier out of the side.

The extra centre-back - in the shape of Dan Burn - should in theory have given Newcastle added stability, but this leaky side have only kept a single clean sheet since February for a reason.

They were far too casual when Kevin stepped up to take the free-kick that led to Diop's opener.

Joe Willock, who was a late addition to the starting line-up after Sandro Tonali was injured in the warm-up, nonchalantly stuck out a leg only to join a number of his sleepy team-mates in watching Diop head home.

As good as Cairney's second was, no-one was close enough to him and the midfielder had the time he needed to unleash a rocket past Nick Pope.

If this side are to bounce back next season, they desperately need to rediscover some semblance of solidity - and more besides.