By DAN KING and PHIL THOMAS
THE FA Cup final is returning to its traditional spot as the season-closing showpiece.
And the climax to the world’s oldest and premier cup competition will also once again have its own weekend.
Cup final day has lost its magic with top-flight games being staged on the same Saturday, as well as the following day.
Last year Arsenal drew 3-3 with Norwich before the Chelsea-Liverpool final, which kicked off at 5.15pm to please ITV.
There were seven more Premier League fixtures the following day and the season finished the Sunday after.
Manchester City’s 2011 FA Cup final win over Stoke was overshadowed by rivals United sealing the Championship hours earlier.
But the Premier League have confirmed in a timetable issued to clubs — and seen by SunSport — that for the next three seasons the regular league season will finish BEFORE the cup final.
The 2013/2014 season will kick off on Saturday, August 17, and finish on Sunday, May 11, with the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 17.
