Yes, City even more firmly in the driving seat now - a draw and a win will now secure the title for them. I’d still like to see them slip up to let Liverpool back in, I’m still not convinced they deserved the title a couple of years ago but it is hard to deny that they deserve this one should they perform in these last two games - having broken their duck, that experience should help them see it out. But this season has been full of twists and turns.
And then there were 2. All we can hope for now is for West Ham to pull their usual trick of upsetting the apple cart on the final day of the season. They have done it at least twice to deny Man United the title, would be wonderful if they could do the same to City. But I can’t see it happening - they have nothing to play for.
Great job by Gus Poyet at Sunderland, that man seems to have managerial talent (he did well at Brighton before being effectively sacked amid internal shenanigans). Norwich need to hope West Brom lose and they win (at Arsenal) by a net difference of at least 13 goals. That’s not going to happen, so they are on their way down along with Cardiff and Fulham. Bit sad to see Fulham go but no real feelings for the other two. Ultimately, none of them was good enough and Sunderland pulled it out of the bag when it mattered. Mark Lawrenson was half right a few weeks ago when he said 36 points would be enough to stay up - only half right, because he also said he couldn’t see Sunderland winning their games in hand to drag themselves out.
I have to admit, I had a little bit of schadenfreude watching Suarez cry after the game the other day. Okay, more than a little. Bad me.
The only competition in England that’s really left is the FA Cup.
Go Gunners!
Mourinho fined ten grand for sarcasm.
He could have called Thierry Henry a black cunt four times and still had change for a session.
Schoolboy error.
I somehow forgot what a c**t Suarez is in my earlier assessment of who I wanted to win the title. So thanks for reminding me - that makes me feel better about City’s impending coronation. Although I hope it doesn’t fire Suarez up more for the World Cup. Doubt that’s a real factor though.
I think Mourinho’s post-match comments are just the best in the league. I mean, the way he draws attention to himself as the star attraction and only has good things to say about opponents, players, and officials is a shining example of the way all managers should act. The League Manager’s Association should be pround of the way they have developed his talent to make him the best. And that’s all I’ve got to say on the matter.
And there we have it - no last minute shocks, they all came in the previous couple of weeks. Hard to argue that City didn’t deserve it, while not one of the Premier Leagues greatest teams they were ultimately the most consistent performers over the season, which is what league football is all about. Credit to Pellegrini, as has been widely commented on in the media - he has done better at making a diverse group of players work well together than his predecessor (and indeed any other top-team manager, by definition really). Can they consolidate and have a proper go at the League/European Cup next season? Not sure - could be the most interesting summer transfer window we have had for a while, with a lot of the top teams apparently prepared to spend big.
I think the Palace draw took a lot of pressure off City.
In hindsight it was probably a mistake to try to chase down the goal difference. That said, I think Rodgers has done a marvelous job at Liverpool (as has his counterpart Martinez across the park) and with the preponderance of young English talent it can only bode well for the National team. Maybe not this year, but for the future.
As for Spurs…
*Que sera sera,
We should have kept Darren Bent,
Next year we’ll play in Tashkent,
Que sera sera.
*
I’ll give the Arsenal Premier League Season a B+ (not including the FA Cup). They finished with more points than they have in about five years. Aaron Ramsey in particular showed that he is a star in the making. I don’t have the numbers but I am guessing Arsenal got the most points out of the bottom tier teams compared to the others. However, there were too many injuries that kept players out too long that makes me think the physio staff is underperforming. Bur far more importantly is 3-6 at Man City, 1-5 at Liverpool, and 0-6 at Chelsea. These capitulations show that they weren’t just a few injuries away from competing with the top 3. They definitely need a striker, one who can attack the defense. Giroud is very good at what he does, holding the ball up, involving the midfielders. His scoring record is pretty good but he is too profilgate in front of goal. Ozil had a very good season despite the media criticism and expect he will just be better next year. If Sagna and Vermaalen go we will definitely need to shore up our defense (Monreal just isn’t good enough) and another holding midfielder, would be nice.