Tottenham Hotspur have capped off a memorable Premier League season with an emphatic 7-1 victory over relegated Hull City on the final day.
Harry Kane bagged a hattrick, netting two in the first half and another after the break as he finished the season as the division's top goalscorer.
Dele Alli, Victor Wanyama, Ben Davies and Toby Alderweireld were also on target for Spurs, while Hull's solitary reply came from Sam Clucas.
Find out how all the action unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's visit to Hull City on the final day of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. There's nothing beyond pride at stake at the KCOM Stadium given that neither side can finish any higher or lower than their league position ahead of kickoff, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're in for a poor game of football.
First up, team news...
HULL XI: Marshall, Ranocchia, Dawson, Davies, Elabdellaoui, Huddlestone, N'Diaye, Tymon, Bowen, Clucas, Niasse
SPURS XI: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Wanyama, Eriksen, Son, Dele, Kane
You wouldn't know this match is essentially meaningless from both starting XIs. The two managers have fielded their strongest available line-ups, although Hull have made a number of changes from last weekend's costly defeat to Crystal Palace, mostly due to injuries.
Evandro, Harry Maguire and Abel Hernandez were unavailable for the hosts today and they join Will Keane, Lazar Markovic, Ryan Mason, David Meyler and Moses Odubajo on the sidelines - it's just as well there's nothing at stake for the injury-ravaged Tigers!
Among the changes is David Marshall stepping in for Eldin Jakupovic between the sticks, Curtis Davies replacing Maguire in defence and Jarrod Bowen taking Evandro's place. Oumar Niasse, who is on loan from Everton, leads the Hull attack this afternoon.
Spurs have recalled Christian Eriksen after resting him during their emphatic win over Leicester City last time out, while Kieran Trippier returns for injury to claim a place a full-back. Slovakian youngster Filip Lesniak starts on the bench, while Kyle Walker failed a late fitness test.
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As we've already touched on, Hull are already relegated ahead of kickoff and Spurs have been confirmed as Premier League runners-up, but surely both sides will want to finish their campaign on a high.
Interestingly, Hull won the first ever Premier League fixture between these two sides in 2008 but have been unable to repeat that feat since, losing six and drawing two of the next eight meetings.
The Tigers seem to have trouble scoring against today's opposition as well. They've managed five in nine and have never found the net more than once while playing Spurs in the top flight.
Although Hull dropped out of the top division with a whimper during last weekend's 4-0 thumping at Palace, they have shown dramatic improvement under Marco Silva, winning won 21 points from 17 matches - that's more than eight other teams since he took charge!
Is it any wonder that Silva has been linked with a move elsewhere? Watford and Southampton are both said to be in the hunt for his services. Hull won't be in the Premier League next term, but Silva just might.
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From one manager who has earned plaudits while battling relegation, to another who has made a name for himself at the right end of the table. Mauricio Pochettino has worked wonders at Spurs this season, guiding them to a second-placed finish in the top flight for the fist time since 1962-63.
Tottenham are traditionally poor on the final day of the season when playing away, having lost lost six of their last eight final-day fixtures that happen to be on the road, including a 5-1 drubbing against relegated Newcastle United last season.
There's a good chance that hoodoo will end today when you consider that this Spurs side rarely concedes at all. They have let in just 25 league goals all season which puts them on course to break a club record dating back to 1908-09.
It's been a record-shattering campaign all round for Tottenham, who have already smashed the club records for most points, most wins, most goals and most clean sheets ahead of kickoff. Striker Harry Kane, meanwhile, looks destined to claim this season's Golden Boot.
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The England international starts the day on 26 strikes - only a hattrick from Everton's Romelu Lukaku at Arsenal will prevent Kane from finishing first in the top goalscorers chart for 2016-17.
Kane is the player Hull will need to watch, but Christian Eriksen loves scoring against the Tigers. He's found the net three times in as many matches against Hull. Either player is a solid punt for first goalscorer today.
PREDICTION: Each side has only pride to play for, but both will be keen to end their campaign on a high and I think Spurs will come out comfortable winners. The visitors simply have too much quality for this injury-hit Hull side to match, so 2-0 Tottenham sounds about right.
Pre-match quotes from the two camps incoming...
SILVA: "I want the players to play with the motivation to end the season well in front of our own fans. That is our focus, but of course we are playing against a team that is in a good place at this moment. Tottenham have had a very good season and play some very good football, but we want to give our fans one last good result this season."
POCHETTINO: "We are sad and disappointed that Chelsea won the league but there is nothing to regret. All we can say is that next season we will give our best and try to win the league."
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The two teams are heading out onto the field now. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates from Hull vs. Spurs.
KICKOFF! The match is underway at the KCOM Stadium.
Hull are first to venture forwards as Alabdellaoui looks to release N'Diaye, but he overhits his pass and Lloris is able to claim to quell the threat.
It's been pedestrian in the opening stages with both sides moving the ball around well but creating very little in the opposing half. Hull have showed more attacking ambitions so far, with that move between Alabdellaoui and N'Diaye being the closest we've come to an opening.
GOAL! Hull City 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Harry Kane)
Well, that didn't take long. Kane fires Spurs ahead with an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner after collecting a pass from Eriksen on the edge of the area. It was a great team goal from the visitors, originating from the middle of the park after Dier won possession.
GOAL! Hull City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Harry Kane)
Hull's Premier League farewell is fast becoming a nightmare and it's all thanks to Kane. The England international extends his position at the top of the goalscorers chart with a tap-in after Trippier volleys Dier's long ball across the face of goal! Rampant Tottenham look absolutely unstoppable.
It's almost a hattrick for Kane inside the opening 15 minutes as the prolific striker takes hold of Dele Alli's flick-on and rolls and effort just wide of the far post. Hull's defending is questionable, but what defence could cope with this kind of onslaught?
Hull attempt to stage an attack as Sam Clucas and Tom Huddlestone exchange passes in the centre of the park. The former attempts to play a through-ball to Oumar Niasse, but he puts too much on it, allowing Hugo Lloris to collect on the edge of his area.
Here's the strike that opened the scoring this afternoon. Surely that Golden Boot award is Kane's now.
The strike that opened the scoring. @HKane now has 28 @premierleague goals this season. #COYS pic.twitter.com/UUd94ZV3Cu — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 21, 2017
Spurs have executed their game plan perfectly this afternoon. Dier is pulling strings, sitting between the defence and midfielder and there are always takers for his long balls forward. Son brings width in the final third and Kane has been lethal spearheading the attack.
Long balls continue to prove effective for Spurs as Eriksen plays one in towards the back post. It causes a moment of panic for Hull but Davies composes himself and clears his lines.
Ryan Mason is getting a good reception from the away supporters today. He is, of course, a product of the Spurs youth system and the visiting fans are singing "He's one of our own". The Hull faithful respond with a round of applause.
SAVE! David Marshall produces a decent save to keep out Son Heung-Min. The South Korean attempted to dink the ball over the goalkeeper after being lined up by Kane, but Marshall palms the ball clear. Spurs continue to control the game but there is no real urgency to their play now.
Spurs are winning the ball far too easily. A long goalkick from Marshall falls straight to Eric Dier - who, in fairness, is playing a blinder - and he hoists the ball upfield as Spurs continue to terrorise their opponents with balls over the top.
CHANCE! Spurs come close following a corner kick. Davies swings in a cross and Dier leaps highest to meet it, but he places his effort straight at Marshall, who stands tall and collects.
Good awareness from Jan Vertonghen snuffs out a rare Hull attack. Huddlestone looks to release Niasse with a lofted pass over the top, only for the Belgian to anticipate the danger, make the interception and confidently clear his lines.
There will be two minutes of stoppage time to play.
GOAL! Hull City 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Dele Alli)
Another remarkable team goal from Spurs dumps more misery on relegated Hull. Kane and Son combine before the Korean lays the ball on a platter for Alli strike inside the area and the England international beats Marshall with a low drive. Alli doesn't miss from that kind of range!
HALF TIME: Hull City 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
The half-time whistle sounds and Hull's Premier League farewell isn't exactly going to plan. It's been far too easy for Tottenham, who head into the break with a deserved 3-0 lead.
Two of the visitors' goals came via composed finishes from Harry Kane, who will finish as the division's top goalscorer bar a second-half miracle from Lukaku at Arsenal. The other came from Dele Alli, capping off a neat team move involving Kane and Son.
Hull have offered nothing up front and look incapable of holding back the Spurs onslaught. You have to wonder how many Tottenham are capable of bagging here this afternoon.
While were at the break, why not take a moment to vote in the Sports Mole readers awards? You can have your say here.
KICKOFF: We're back underway in Hull and the hosts have made a change at the break, throwing on Kamil Grosicki for Curtis Davies.
Spurs, as you might expect, stage the first attack of the second period as Kieran Trippier plays a measured cross towards Harry Kane at the near post. Andrea Ranocchia does well to get in ahead of the striker and head the ball clear.
Somewhat sloppy from Spurs as they concede a corner. Ben Davies fails to clear the ball properly after beating Oumar Niasse to a through-pass inside the box. Jarrod Bowen gains possession and attempts to play a pass across the face of the Spurs goal, but it deflects behind off Davies.
CHANCE! Spurs cause Hull yet more problems, this time from a set piece which Christian Eriksen whips in towards the back post where Kane is lurking. It's a great delivery but the England man is unable to get his head to the ball before it bounces wide for a goalkick.
CHANCE! Better from Hull as they create their best chance of the afternoon. Oumar Niasse runs at the Spurs backline and creates space for himself. The on-loan striker drives into the box and attempts to find Clucas in front of goal, but an excellent interception from Toby Alderweireld tuns it over for a corner.
More pressure from Hull as a long ball from Tymon bounces into the path of Niasse, who attempts to take it first time on the volley. The Senegalese striker can only slice his effort and it bobbles wide for a goalkick.
CLOSE! Another chance falls Niasse's way as the ball falls kindly for him in the area. He swipes at it, going for power over placement and it whizzes over the bar. Niasse has given Hull a strong presence in the final third during the second half. None of the chances he's missed have been clear cut in all fairness.
The home supporters are singing "Marco Silva, we want you to stay". A nice bit of sentiment, but it would no doubt be difficult for the Portuguese to turn down an offer to remain in the Premier League.
GOAL! Hull City 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Sam Clucas)
Hull have taken this match by the scruff of the neck in the second half and they deserved to get on the scoresheet there. Oumar Niasse wrestles with his marker in the box before picking out Clucas with a backheel. The midfielder beats Hugo Lloris with the help of a deflection and denies him the Golden Glove in the process!
GOAL! Hull City 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur (Victor Wanyama)
Hull give away a soft free kick around 25 yards out and fail to defend it properly. It's Victor Wanyama who punish Hull for their abysmal marking, nodding home Christian Eriksen's cross at the far post completely unchallenged.
GOAL! Hull City 1-5 Tottenham Hotspur (Harry Kane)
Sensational from Harry Kane who makes it a final day to remember by completing his hattrick. Dele Alli sent the England man away with a measured through-ball and Kane did what he does best in the one-on-one situation to make it five!
Hull have made more of a game of it in the second period, but Tottenham simply have too much quality for them. The Tigers have no answer to the likes of Kane, Alli, Eriksen and Son. Spurs have ripped them apart.
Kieran Trippier has proven effective for Spurs along the right flank, adding extra width to their attack. He's just picked out Kane in the box and the England striker beat two defenders before being closed down.
SUBSTITUTION: Kane leaves the park to standing ovation from the Spurs fans, and doesn't he deserve one! Vincent Janssen is his replacement.
To put that Kane hattrick into context...
6 - Harry Kane is the 6th player to score a hat-trick in successive @premierleague appearances and first since Wayne Rooney in 2011. Treble. pic.twitter.com/0DnpA15FKH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 21, 2017
GOAL! Hull City 1-6 Tottenham Hotspur (Ben Davies)
It's six of the best for Spurs and their latest comes from left-back Ben Davies, who adds to relegated Hull's misery with an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box that left Marshall standing.
GOAL! Hull City 1-7 Tottenham Hotspur (Toby Alderweireld)
This is getting ridiculous now! Spurs net their seventh through defender Toby Alderweireld, who stabs home Kieran Trippier's cross in front of goal to put his side on the verge of equaling the Premier League record for an away win. One more goal will do it!
There will be two minutes of stoppage time to play.
FULL TIME: Hull City 1-7 Tottenham Hotspur
What's worse than being relegated from the Premier League? Being relegated and then being pulverised 7-1 in front of your home fans in the next match, that's what! And that is exactly what has just happened to poor old Hull City.
In fairness to the Tigers, there were moments when they weren't terrible this afternoon, but Spurs were magnificent from start to finish, particularly hattrick hero Harry Kane who is the deserved winner of this season's Golden Boot award.
And that's all we have time for at Hull City's relegation party, but stick with Sports Mole for all of the fallout from the final day of the 2016-17 Premier League season. Many thanks for joining us!
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
