Alan Pardew: "I can't fault the players.
"They have been absolutely magnificent to a man. All my staff, everybody - we've had a real good go at it.
"You look at the quality of teams like Everton and Chelsea (who have finished seventh and sixth respectively) and you say 'how have we finished fifth'? It is amazing really.
"We are very pleased with that and we look forward to next year.
"We have got a great spirit in there - never-say-die.
"Even against an Everton side who were fabulous today in the first half, at 2-0 down we still gave it a right go.
"Unfortunately it wasn't enough, but I'm pleased Arsenal and Spurs both won today, because it would have hurt more. I congratulate those two, because they probably deserve to be above us."