FA Barclays Premiership Report (14th - 15th May)

RECORDS and hearts were broken in the penultimate weekend of the Premiership season, which saw Manchester City’s FA Cup win against Stoke City pale into almost total insignificance.

United make it 19

PROOF: Yes, they are champions, AGAIN!

Manchester United made it 19 English league titles, overtaking Liverpool long-standing record with a nervy 1-1 draw at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday lunchtime.  Sir Alex Ferguson took a risk in resting Edwin van der Sar for Thomas Kuszczak and Kuszczak looked totally indecisive in the first half.  He was partly to blame for Rovers opener, which was fired in by Brett Emerton on 20 minutes.  You could tell it was going to be United’s day when Martin Olsson’s header hit the post in the second half.  With 17 minutes remaining and the one point required to clinch the title still deserting them, Javier Hernandez went on a game breaking run.  The Mexican was brought down by Paul Robinson and after some consultation with his linesman; Phil Dowd rightly gave the penalty.  Wayne Rooney kept his cool and scored the penalty.  The full-time whistle bought an element of relief, but more delight as the new champions were crowned.  When Sir Alex first came to Old Trafford in November 1986, the record stood at 18-7 Liverpool.  So, this is no doubt, one of the finest achievement every in the history of football.  It is a 12^th Premiership title in 19 seasons and that also means 12 titles for the amazing Ryan Giggs.  There is no doubt that this team lacks the class and qualities of previous title winning teams, particularly those of 1999 and 2008.  However, you don’t win the title by accident.  Hernandez’s goals, Rooney’s return to form, Vidic and Ferdinand’s partnership at the back, Nani’s radical improvement, the experience of Giggs and Van der Sar all have played their part in this title.  They may only have won five away matches all season, but 17 wins from 18 at Old Trafford have set the stone for another title-winning season.  Plus, think of all the comebacks this season; 2-0 down at Aston Villa in November, 2-0 down at Blackpool in January and 2-0 down at West Ham in April and they turned no points into seven.  That makes the difference between a good side and a championship winning team.  Congratulations to all the players and staff at Manchester United for achieving this piece of history.

Bye-bye West Ham

DISMISSED: Avram Grant gets the sinking feeling at Wigan

In a dramatic and frenetic game at the DW Stadium on Sunday, West Ham’s six-year stay in the Premier League was ended by another second half capitulation.  At half-time against rivals in distress, Wigan, the Hammers were coasting at 2-0 up, courtesy of two headers from Demba Ba.  However, defending that would even shame a pub team saw Wigan turnaround the deficit to win 3-2 and keep alive their hopes of beating the drop alive.  This was the final straw for the West Ham board and manager Avram Grant was sacked shortly after relegation was confirmed.  Charles N’Zogbia was superb for the home side, scoring twice.  The winner came in the fourth minute of stoppage time.  Conor Sammon also netted his first goal in English football, which turned the atmosphere around in the stadium, from one of misery to one of joy.  A win at beaten FA Cup finalists Stoke next Sunday could keep Wigan in the top flight.  For West Ham, the search begins for a new manager, with former England coach Steve McLaren already ruling himself out of the running.  Expect a host of their top players like Scott Parker, Robert Green, Matthew Upson and co to be at alternative clubs next season.   

Birmingham dragged into the mire

Carling Cup winners Birmingham City are now only above the drop zone on goal difference.  They face Tottenham on Sunday knowing that a heavy defeat could seal their fate.  Alex McLeish could only look on in horror, as his side produced a terrible performance at home to Europa League-bound Fulham.  Norwegian Brede Hangeland scored twice to seal a comfortable 2-0 win for Fulham at St. Andrews, only their third away success of the season.  Had Fulham taken all of their chances, they could have won this game by a cricket score, such was their domination.  Even goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer nearly scored from his own goal kick!  Saturday’s results really hurt Birmingham, as Blackpool and Wolves both collected valuable victories.  In a ding-dong match at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool edged out Bolton Wanderers 4-3.  Charlie Adam netted the winner in a seven-goal thriller.  In the North East, Mick McCarthy finally won a match at the Stadium of Light in the Premiership, at the 20^th attempt of asking (he won none as Sunderland boss in 2003, 2005 & 2006!).  Jody Craddock, Steven Fletcher and George Elokobi scored the goals in a 3-1 win at Sunderland.  With Blackburn still in the mix too, it is two sides from five who will drop out of the Premiership come 6pm on Sunday evening.

Spurs move into pole position & the rest of the action

DIPPING: Van der Vaart's precise effort had Spurs on their way

The Europa League showdown at Anfield went Tottenham’s way.  Harry Redknapp’s side beat a lethargic Liverpool 2-0, to move one point clear in fifth spot.  Tottenham know that beating Birmingham on Sunday will guarantee them European football next season, and leave Liverpool out of a continental competition for the first time since 2000.  A brilliant goal from Rafael van der Vaart had the visitors infront on eight minutes.  Luka Modric banged home a second half penalty, which shouldn’t have been given as John Flanagan barged over Steven Pienaar outside the penalty area.  It didn’t even look like much of a foul to be honest.  However, Liverpool looked flat and suffered a deserved first home defeat of 2011.  It is Tottenham’s first league win at Anfield since August 1993.  Chelsea wrapped up the runners-up position at the weekend, despite only managing a 2-2 draw against a battling Newcastle United side at home.  Branislav Ivanovic gave Chelsea the lead inside two minutes; a good volley from Frank Lampard’s corner.  Newcastle’s first equaliser came fortuitously, as Ryan Taylor’s free-kick was deflected in wickedly by his own player, in the form of Jonas Gutierrez.  A dreadful second half only livened up in the last seven minutes.  It looked like Alex had won the game, when the centre-back met Lampard’s free-kick to head home.  However, Fernando Torres stood around in the penalty area and allowed his marker, Steven Taylor to nod home in stoppage time and earn the Magpies a deserved point.

In the other games, Arsenal’s home season ended with another dreary performance.  The summer break can’t come quick enough for the Gunners, who lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa.  Darren Bent scored both goals for the visitors.  At the Hawthorns, West Brom overcame Everton 1-0, courtesy of an early goal from Yusuf Mulumbu.  Diniyar Bilyadetinov was harshly sent off for the Toffees and David Moyes was so incensed, he decided that no Everton representative should speak to the media after the match.  It is West Brom’s first Premier League clean sheet since August.

I will be back next week with a round-up of the final Sunday of the season, plus a comprehensive review on the entire Premiership season.  It is Survival Sunday for Blackburn Rovers, Wolves, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic.