Record-breaking champions Arsenal set a new premier league record of 13 straight wins, by beating Everton at Highbury. The 4-3 win also meant Arsene Wenger's double winners scored in every game this season, another record. French striker Thierry Henry claimed the premier league's top-scorer prize with two strikes that took his league tally to 24 after Everton had briefly led 2-1.
A much-changed Arsenal side seized an early lead through Dennis Bergkamp. While Lee Carsley and Tomasz Radzinski capitalised on defensive weaknesses, Henry struck back twice and then substitute Francis Jeffers made his mark against his former club before Steve Watson's late consolation.
The Arsenal fans were then treated to the sight of seeing captain Tony Adams lift the premier league trophy. Adams did not play on Saturday but the long-serving former England skipper, who will probably retire after his testimonial against Celtic at Highbury on Monday, emerged in his kit at the end to receive the trophy.
The Arsenal squad paid tribute to player of the year Robert Pires as he returned to Highbury to take part in their title celebrations. Pires, who has recently undergone a knee operation in Marseille, had gingerly walked onto the pitch before the game to receive his individual award.
And when the French winger later followed his team-mates onto a makeshift stage at Highbury after a 4-3 win against Everton, the entire squad knelt down and bowed in tribute to him. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who similarly underwent surgery earlier this year, was also acclaimed earlier on, while even Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto returned to the club to take part in the celebrations.
Led by Adams, with Fredrik Ljungberg sporting an Elvis wig, the squad then took part in a lap of honour after Henry had rounded off the season by securing the Premiership golden boot with a double-strike.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
