The final month of the season may have included two defeats, but it ended with Newcastle securing an outstanding fifth-placed Premier League finish, guaranteeing their place in the Europa League for the 2012/13 campaign.

May started on a real high as a couple of wonder strikes from Papiss Cisse earned a memorable 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. If his first - a 20-yard volley which he had flicked up for himself - was special, then his second was something else.

Trying something no-one else would dare, Cisse struck a first-time shot from out on the left touchline over the head of Petr Cech, using the outside of his boot.

Eventual Premier League champions Manchester City then came to Tyneside and were just the third side all season to leave with maximum points, thanks to a Yaya Toure double.

And the campaign was completed with a trip to Everton, where United - wearing their new burgundy away kit - slipped to a 3-1 defeat. However, that result could not sour what had been a fantastic year in which the Magpies re-established themselves as a top flight force.

Club Photographers Ian Horrocks and Serena Taylor were there every step of the way throughout 2011/12, and here is a gallery of their snaps from May.

To read the sixth and final part of our 2011/12 Season Review, click on the button below