Eden Hazard - Off to a flyer

Eden Hazard was regarded as one of the hottest prospects in European football this summer and had a host of top clubs scrambled for his signature before he eventually signed for the European Champions, Chelsea. Hazard's former club Lille ended up £32 million richer from the transfer and Roman Ambrovich's newest acquisition was on his way to the Kings Road.

Like so many I was interested to see how the tricky wide man would transition to the English game, would his flair and ability to manipulate the ball be as consistent against quicker and stronger defenders in the 'best league in the world'? Or would be take time to settle in to a club with big personalities in an aging dressing room with known problems? His start to this season's Premiership campaign has relieved any worries fans might have had with his performances being nothing short of spectacular thus far. Of course it's early days and he's played two relatively 'easy' defenses in Wigan (who barely survived last season) and new boys Reading and no ones going overboard just yet, but he has been the difference for Chelsea so far, and if you include the penalties he's won (as assists) he's had a hand in each of the 6 Blues goals so far, and he deserves enormous credit for that.

Joe Cole, a former Chelsea player and teammate of Hazard at Lille last season (whilst on loan from Liverpool) has heaped some pretty serious praise on the young Belgian. Of course, some might argue it's only Joe Cole and he's not the most educated or reliable source in the world, but Joe does know and love the game, and he's been around long enough to tell a real player from flash in the pan. After playing with him for the best part of a year in training everyday and alongside him on match days Cole said of Hazard;
"He knows how good he is, and that's a positive thing. All the top players have got that belief and a bit of presence and arrogance, and he's like that.
"He's a bit like Messi. There's only one Messi and I don't want to put pressure on the kid, but he's like him - short, squat, powerful legs, great touch, he can finish, he's got everything."
-Hazard has also admitted confiding in Cole and taking his advice on joining Chelsea over the host of other clubs interested in him.

Personally, I've been really impressed by Hazard's confidence to receive the ball with players around him, and then take on defenders at speed without hesitation. He's not the head down, knock it down the line and chase type of player, instead his real asset is the speed of his ball movement and manipulation. One of the reasons he's earned seven penalties in his last 20 club games (including Lille last season). No other player in Europe managed to win more than three! It's this close, quick and deceptive control that saw him win penalties against both Wigan and Reading, and Premiership defenders are going to have to learn about Hazard and fast if they are going to stop him, and stop giving penalties away. Hazard's skill is earning the penalties, giving the defender a 'chance' of winning the ball and then with a final touch flicking it away from their lunge or defensive movement before going over to win a concrete spot kick. Neither of the penalties won were questionable, and Hazard's ability to get in the box and get at defenders the majority of the time he receives possession is as exciting for the fans as it is scary for the opposition back-line.



Compared the the £50 million spent on Torres (who still looks completely out of sorts even with his winning but clearly offside goal) Hazard looks a decent buy for close to £20 million less. He's even made Chelsea's player of the season from the previous campaign, Juan Mata look fairly pedestrian in comparison, not an easy task! Chelsea's other new boy Oscar, the Brazilian, looks much more lightweight than Hazard, and although he clearly has raw pace and some lovely touches, he seems like a player that could do with a rest (he's played consistently through the summer in the Olympics and friendlies for Brazil) time to settle, and a little bit more work off the pitch to ready him for the intensity of the game on it. For Hazard? As a football fan, hopefully more of the same...

The Premiership is back. The 2012/13 Season opening weekend

The Barclay's Premier League is back.  After a super summer of Olympic sport in London, the most watched league in the world was getting a little bit of criticism on it's morals and entertainment value.  Wonderful scenes of athletic performance, prowess and passion created pride and excitement nationwide whilst stories of footballers moving clubs and tales of money hungry ego-maniacs demanding ransom like wages and some (Clint Dempsey) even refusing to play at all, all added fuel to that negative fire burning amongst the critics.  That was all before the season kicked off however with a tremendously entertaining opening weekend of fixtures.

The two eye-popping performances again came in the capital following on from the amazing spectacles witnessed during the Olympics.  Fulham stuffed Norwich with 5 lovely goals, and their new (free) signing Mladen Petric looked instantly at home at the Cottage.  Martin Jol embraced his former assistant at Tottenham, Chris Hughton, warmly before the game, at the end, Hughton probably wanted to wring his old bosses neck. It's sure to be a more difficult season for the Canaries this time round, but for Fulham, with their quality players and attacking style of play it could be one of their best yet.

There were another 5 goals smashed in on a few miles away at Loftus Road.  Sadly for the super hoops of QPR they were on the receiving end of Michael Laudrup's Welsh wizards who played with the style, creativity and grace their manager so epitomised as a player.  But for the woodwork it could have been 7.  Fellow Welsh club Cardiff have famously changed their colours this summer to suit their new owners, Swansea have done the same with their away kit, but instead changing it to the patriotic colours of the Welsh national flag, red, white and green.  They played with the fire of a dragon as they tore apart fellow Welshman, Mark Hughes', new look side.  For Hughes it's a case of making his new signings gel as quick as possible and trying to stop people shooting at the terrible Robert Green who looks as shaky in goal as ever.

There was more interesting games in London with Sunderland gaining a great point at the new look Arsenal sans RVP and Alex Song.  Santi Carzola will have made the Gooner support feel a little better about themselves with his performance, and if new signing Olivier Giroud had tucked away a late chance they would have been even less worried about the loss of their captain (the 2nd captain to leave successive summers-Cesc to Barca, RVP-Man Utd) but sadly for Arsene Wenger the Frenchman fluffed his lines and put an effort Van Persie surely would have converted, wide of the mark.  For the Maccam's some more firepower is needed and the rumour of Dimitar Berbatov joining them maybe be just that, a rumour, but would be a great addition for the lightweight Black Cat attack.

The final game in the Capital was the return of West Ham United to the big show, and they started with a 1-0 win over a very poor Aston Villa team.  The Hammers were much like last season, bland at home, but getting a result and Villa followed on from where they left off with a poor back line and nothing going forward.  Darren Bent is back, but against his old teammate James Collins he was non-existent and Paul Lambert is going to need to add some new quality players in the next 2 weeks to have any chance of improving on the Villians dreadful campaign from last season under Alex McCleish.

Elsewhere Manchester City did their best to replicate their famous victory over QPR at the end of last season by beating new boys Southampton 3-2 at the Eithiad.  This time they did it with a little bit more time to spare and without the injured Sergio Auguero who looks set for a scan on his knee in the next day or so.

Ex-Liverpool assistant Steve Clarke opened his Managerial career with a resounding 3-0 win over the visiting Reds.  His opposite number Brendan Rodgers needs to improve from what he called 'a bad day at the office' and quick with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all coming up within the next 5 games for the former Swansea boss.

Chelsea's new boy Edin Hazard looked the part as he made Chelsea's 2 goals in a dreadful 6 minutes for the Latics at the DW.  Wigan, so often slow starters, will take confidence from the way they attacked Chelsea down the flanks, but Roberto Martinez needs to sure up that back line and quick if they are not to be in big trouble again this season.  For Robbie Di Matteo it was a pleasing start with the two new boys Hazard and Oscar looking excellent, but Fernando Torres doing what he does best in a Chelsea shirt, not much.

Newcastle carried on from where they left off last season by beating Tottenham and their new gaffa AVB at St.James' Park (or should I say the Sports Direct Arena?).  Spurs looked bright, but Tim Krul in the Magpies net was solid as always and with Demba Ba finding his scoring touch again and Ben Arfa running the show, Newcastle should be top 6 contenders again.  They might have to do without idiotic manger Alan Pardew as he stupidly half pushed the linesman in the back over a decision and was rightly sent to stands.  What he tried to brush off with an apology and jovial tone in the post-match interviews might save him a few matches but he'll surely get some touchline ban for punishment from the FA.

Stoke conceded late on as Reading showed the type of grit and determination needed by newly promoted teams as they earned a point at the Madjeski.  It was a good day for Reading as their fans basked in the sunshine and glory of being back amongst the elite for the first time in four years.  They look like they have some backbone, but will need more quality to get results.  For Stoke, it's much more of the same, with their effective and direct style of play.

The only fixture remaining should see Robin Van Persie make his debut for Manchester United against Everton tonight at Goodison Park.  David Moyes is still at the Helm on the blue side of Liverpool and they'll be looking to start their season the way they finished off last, which according the the form book probably won't happen as they don't seem to get their act together until after Christmas!  For United, they'll want 3 points to show everyone their intent in the hunt for their 20th title.

John Terry's shin pads

I for one, am still getting over what's been an incredible season in England and throughout Europe. Manchester City's final day antics to deny their Red city rivals was remarkable.  Real Madrid knocking 'the best team in the world' Barcelona of their perch in Spain certainly hasn't gone unnoticed.  Bayern Munich's capitulation in the final games of the season seeing them runners up a hat trick of times in the Bundesliga, The German Cup and of course that dramatic Champions League Final in their own back yard!  The drama of Chelsea's first ever Champions League Trophy, only the 5th English team to win the tournament.  Their victory was top drawer, they we're the worthy winners, even though they got battered for the majority of the final (and 2 legs of the semi final), because of one simple fact, they won.  There's been so many highs and lows this season, from Sergio Aguero's last gasp City winner, Drogba's header, Suarez's and Terry's racism rows but nothing more disturbing for me than the Chelsea captains costume change during the final at the Allianz arena.  Yes the other suspended players did the same thing, but they hadn't been sent off for a ridiculous knee into the back of an opposition player, and they weren't trying to steal the limelight from the real heroes of the hour, they guys that actually played for over 2 hours!

JT started out wearing his club suit, patrolling the side lines and I'm sure trying to take the ear of Roberto Di Matteo at half time, or whenever he could, then in the second half he emerged in the clubs Adidas Champions League tracksuit before changing in the extra time and penalty drama to his full kit, including boots and shin pads!  UEFA had said that Terry would be allowed to lift the cup as captain if Chelsea won prior to the game, but that was probably only because they didn't think they had a hope.  it was a stupid decision from UEFA allowing a player suspended from the game to even be allowed on the side lines which is technically the field of play.  Even in NCAA college soccer that's a massive no no!  Here we were on the biggest stage, in the biggest club competition in the world with a player who shouldn't have been there roaming around, changing kits and eventually lifting the trophy alongside the real Captain of the team that night, Frank Lampard.  Comparisons were immediately drawn to Roy Keane and Paul Scholes lifting the trophy between them on the pitch after the trophy had been awarded and the team was doing one of many laps of honour.  They were pivotal players, who got booked in the semis helping get their team through and they turned up in the team suit and waiting until the right moment to take some deserved applause.  Terry did no such thing, stealing much of the limelight as the photo's in 10 years will show him at the heart of the team with the trophy without even kicking a ball or kneeing a back in that final.

The saving grace was how bad Chelsea's cup lift was.  Watching UEFA president Michel Platini try and usher players out the way to allow the cup and Chelsea's captains through just summed up how little respect he has over players and how important he thinks he is as they completely disregarded him and bundled in front so when the trophy was hoisted you couldn't really see it.

'It was written in the stars' for Chelsea Gary Neville reckons, maybe he was bought into the England fold to be the new Eileen Drewery (Glen Hoddle's infamous faith healer who was an 'agony aunt' to plays - Ray Parlour apparently sat down in her chair for a consultation and started by asking for a "short back and sides" Classic.)  Neville was constantly banging on about it being Chelsea's time, and how it was a destiny for them.  It wasn't at all.  It was uncharacteristic sloppiness in front of goal from a German side feeling the pressure of playing inside their own Stadium in front of millions of Bavarian's who expected a comfortable victory.  Bayern had their chances, and a lot of them, but didn't take them, that's why Chelsea won, they had one corner, one goal.  They had big game goal specialist Didier Drogba, not a misfiring Mario Gomes.  Chelsea had better penalty takers on the day and some momentum after Peter Cech performed so excellently in the shootout.  Was it fate that Cech saved those crucial penalties, the first from Arjen Robben in the second half of extra time, the others in the shootout?  No, it was meticulous preparation and a DVD that had every penalty every player had taken in the past 10 years and calculated decision making from a world class goalkeeper.  That isn't quite as romantic and enjoyable as a pundit shouting about it being the clubs destiny and having their name on that big eared trophy all along!

Chelsea were completely outplayed and set out their stall to defend and ride their luck, and that they did till a downward Thomas Muller header eluded Peter Cech by somehow bouncing over the huge Czech keeper. Game over everyone thought, it was the 83rd minute 'the perfect time to score'.  I've always had a problem with these types of sayings, 'perfect time to score' which it turns out was a ridiculous shout as Chelsea still had time to come back and tie up the game. Didier Drogba's 89th minute bullet header towards Manuel Neuer's goal was a better time to score for the Germans surely?!  Didier Drogba's last kick in a Chelsea shirt before he buggers off to China to make a mint was a lovely end to a great service from the Ivorian.  Fernando Torres will be happier than any defender to see the back of the big man, as he may now finally play a few games for the club that signed him for 50 mill.  The Drog still has a lot to offer, and could play for a year or two at the very highest level.. he's worth signing just for Cup finals, 8 goals, 8 games, thanks.

JT will be in the England squad for the Euro's at the expense of Rio Ferdinand who Terry isn't on best terms with after being accused of racially abusing his brother, Anton.  So JT is having a great run at it, got AVB sacked, been pulling the strings behind Di Matteo's back? Won the FA Cup, didn't play but WON the Champions League according to photo's from the day, got in the England squad for the Euro's and his old man has finally finished his 100 hours of community service for flogging 3 grams of gear to a journalist in an Essex wine bar in 2009.

TOWIE! The only way is England, for JT at least...

What to wear - as a Premier League Champion

20 years of the Premier League. 5 winners. 4 brands.

The Premier League has evolved and improved year on year since it's inception in 1992-3.  The teams have got bigger and better as has their stadia.  The worldwide appeal of the English game has made it the most watched league in the world and television companies and sponsors all want a part of it.  Manchester City's win this weekend in unbelievably dramatic fashion made them only the 5th club to win the title joining Manchester United, Blackburn, Arsenal and Chelsea in this elite group.


During Sunday's final moments I noticed that Manchester City were wearing the decided brand of Champions in Premier League history, Umbro.  Although Umbro may not be seen as the biggest of football brands or kit suppliers these days with the emergence of Nike and Adidas in the Premier League era, it is still the most 'successful' in terms of teams wearing their kits and winning the league... 


Umbro was the biggest kit supplier to Premier League teams during the 1992-3 season with half of the teams wearing their distinctive logo,  11 of the 22 were Umbro.  Some of the other brands that were making kits that season will be a real blast from the past to some, and unheard of to others. He's a list of who else supplied kits during the first Premier League season


Umbro - 11
Admiral - 4
Adidas - 2
Ribero - 3 (Crystal Palace changed from *Bukta to Ribero in December)
*Bukta -1
Brooks -1
Asics -1
Nike - 0


The first Premier League winners were Manchester United and they wore Umbro, in fact Umbro and Manchester United won 4 out of the first 5 Premier League titles with Asics and Blackburn picking up the 1994-5 title.  All of these first 5 titles were won by Scottish managers (x4 for Alex Ferguson and x1 for Kenny Dalglish).  It wasn't until 1997-8 that a team managed by another nationality other than Scotland won the title, that man was of course Arsene Wenger as he lead his Arsenal team to the title sporting their Nike kits.
Between 1998-2001 United again dominated the league, winning 3 consecutive titles (the first team to do so in Premier League history) and again, they did it all wearing Umbro.  The 2001-2 season saw Arsenal win the league the last day of the season at Old Trafford to pip United and clinch their League and Cup double, again another win for Nike.  Nike signed a huge multi-million pound deal with Manchester United to replace Arsenal and that was good business for them as Manchester United won the title the following year 2002-3. Arsenal and Nike were back at it winning the 2003-4 title with their "invincible's".
2004-5 saw the arrival of 'the special one' Jose Mourinho in England and he swiftly lead Chelsea, wearing Umbro, to the back-to-back titles (2004/5 - 2005/6).
Nike had a hat-trick of titles with United following Chelsea's brief domination, before coming back on the scene in 2009-10 wearing Adidas kits (picking up the German brands first Premier League title) and the first Italian to win it, with Carlo Ancelotti doing a super job in his first season.
2010-11 Manchester reclaimed the title for their 12th in the past 20 years and again did it wearing Nike.


Umbro have come back into the fold for the first time in 6 years with Manchester City's triumph, to claim their 10th league title, compared to 8 for Nike, and 1 a piece for Adidas and Asics.  Had Umbro kept hold of the Manchester United contract they would have been sitting on 15 wins.  Instead they have slowly lost teams to their rivals, although maintaining the England National team's manufacturing rights.
20 years ago Umbro had half the league wearing their gear as they dominated the English game, now due to the emergence of other brands and their superior financial clout Umbro are down to 3 teams, the Champions Manchester City, the relegated Blackburn Rovers and the mid table Sunderland.

There's been some crazy shirt designs and kits during the 20 years of the Premiership, some iconic, like the Umbro collar that Cantona so famously flicked up or the grey shirt Sir Alex did away with at half time away at Southampton.  Hopefully we can continue to see more good, bad and ugly kits in the future, and maybe we'll see Nike finally over take Umbro as the kit supplier of England's Champions, but if Umbro manage to hold onto Manchester City though, there could be a few more titles coming their way.


Table of League winners with kit makers.

• 1992/3 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1993/4 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1994/5 Blackburn Rovers - Asics
• 1995/6 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1996/7 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1997/8 Arsenal - Nike
• 1998/9 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1999/2000 Manchester United - Umbro
• 2000/1 Manchester United - Umbro
• 2001/2 Arsenal - Nike
• 2002/3 Manchester United - Nike
• 2003/4 Arsenal - Nike
• 2004/5 Chelsea - Umbro
• 2005/6 Chelsea - Umbro
• 2006/7 Manchester United - Nike
• 2007/8 Manchester United - Nike
• 2008/9 Manchester United - Nike
• 2009/10 Chelsea - Adidas
• 2010/11 Manchester United - Nike
• 2011/12 Manchester City - Umbro

Totals

Umbro =10

Nike =8

Asics =1

Adidas =1

I couldn't finish the list without a quick mention of 2 new brands who will be working with Premiership teams next year, two American companies will take over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.  Warrior will make Liverpool's kit (as well as Lacrosse equipment Stateside) as they move away from Adidas and rising power Under Armour will make Spurs kit as they move away from Puma.  There's been some random and classic brands making kits throughout the Premiership years, here's some you might be surprised by...

Brooks, Lotto, Kappa, Le Coq Sportif, Canterbury, MiFit, Burrda, Errea, Vandanel, Macron, Fox Leisure, Clubhouse, Pony, Nutmeg, Loki, Avec, Reebok, Mitre, Uhlsport, Fila, CCFC Garments, Saints, Diadora, Joma, Xara, Hummel, Lonsdale, Airness, Jako, JJB, Champion and even no manufacturer for some...WBA 2002/3.

The Final Day of the Season - "FOOTBALLLLLLL!"

What an end to the best Premiership season ever.  High drama at the bottom with Bolton down on the final day, but it was the team that stayed up, at their expense, that were part of the real fireworks.


Queens Park Rangers gave the blue half of Manchester the biggest scare and saddest low before the greatest high in the last 44 years.  If Manchester City matched Manchester United's result they would be Champions of England for the first time in 44 years.  United were away to Sunderland and everyone knew they would do their part and pick up 3 points to put some pressure on their noisy neighbours.  City were expected to do the business at home, and comfortably, against a scrapping west London side in the relegation dogfight at the bottom of the table.  
The form book had it down as a home win. QPR are awful away from home.  City are brilliant at the Ethiad (dropping only 2 points there all season!).  It was a home win banker... Or was it?

QPR were 1 nil down after a mistake from Paddy Kenny 5 minutes before half time.  The stadium, an unopened pessure cooker, poked a hole in the lid and released some steam with Pablo Zabaleta's first goal of the season.  That whole was stuffed closed when Djbril Cisse pounced on a Jolean Lescott mistake to fire past Joe Hart.  The tension and expectation was rising again when ex-Manchester City player Joey Barton went on an idiotic spree of aggressive behaviour, elbowing Carlos Tevez in the throat (some say he might have deserved it after his behaviour this season - and the swing out at Barton moments prior) but the knee to the back of Sergio Aguero wasn't justified, neither was the attempted head butt of City captain Vincent Kompany (who didn't 'drop his spuds' as Barton accused Alan Shearer of doing when Roy Keane had a swipe at him years ago during a strange anti-Shearer rant on twitter after the game) before being escorted down the tunnel.  Anyway, with that maniac off, the game could continue.  What wasn't in the script was Jamie Mackie's diving header shortly after putting the away side 2-1 in front! QPR were playing with a freedom that eluded City on this, the biggest of occasion in their recent history (FA Cup winners last season).  The lid on the pressure cooker that was the Ethiad was firmly tightened and the heat was turning up, and fast.

With the time ticking down and the news filtering through that United were 1-0 up at Sunderland and cruising many City fans began to fear the worst, and some even left the Stadium before the 90 minutes were up, deflated and abject that they were throwing it all away on the last day.  Some will have thought they were cursed and this just wasn't their day.  Those that stayed will have thought the same thing when a Mario Balotelli header was kept out from 4 yards by an excellent Kenny save (who did more than enough to atone for his earlier error).  The multi-million pound squad assembled by the classy Roberto Mancini who had been so ruthless infront of goal all season was now hitting the corner flag with snap shots and seeing efforts roll harmlessly out of bounds for throw ins.  Mancini on the sideline was a joy to watch.  The Italians gesticulations were so emotional that the neutral couldn't help but get caught up in it all.  He was marching up and down his side line with no regard for the technical area or the 4th official (who to his credit kept out of it) he was crouching, jumping, running, punching the air in disgust, swearing bloody murder (in a mixture of Italian and English from what I could lip read) and looking lost at times with what to possibly do next.  Thanks to the Joey Barton affair City had 5 minutes of added on or 'Fergie time' to save themselves and their season.  Another corner for City followed, the 90 minutes was up, David Silva swung in an inviting ball and Edin Dzeko did what Balotelli couldn't from 6 yards.  His header was barely nestled in the back of the net before the ball was being picked out and sprinted back to the half way line with.  The crowd cheered, but seemed to urge more than anything, as the occasion and energy got too much for some and they broke down in tears of raw emotion.  What followed was nothing short of miraculous.  On the edge of the QPR box heading centrally into traffic Sergio Aguero, the Argentinian forward who has been fantastic for City all season, played the unlikeliest of give and goes with Mario Balotelli, the Italian forward who has been fantastic entertainment all year (but not necessarily on the pitch).  Aguero after passing to Balotelli, who tried to turn, kept on the move, Balotelli after almost losing control under pressure managed to poke a ball, from a seated position, into the stride of Aguero who rather than lashing at it, took a lovely first touch into space around the despairing lunge of ex-City man Nedum Onuoha (who made contact) before thumping the ball in for City's 3 goal, with their 44th shot to end 44 years of hurt and being the 'second team' in Manchester.
Cue bedlam.

City fans screamed, yelled cried, jumped, collapsed and went absolutely insane.  With almost the last kick of the game, on the last day of the season in the sunshine of Manchester the noisy neighbours had done it, and done it the City way, with a struggle, but with the quality of a billion dollar organisation.  Mancini and his 40+ strong backroom staff flooded forward, leaping hugging and going bananas.  The day, and the title was finally theirs after 44 years of waiting.

The team who wins the league undoubtedly deserves it, and the best team in Manchester won it this season, and will plan to continue doing so for the foreseeable future, but they will never win a league in quite as dramatic a fashion as that. Incredible.


As Paul Merson narrates fantastically here...

Survival Sunday - The finale

The best day of the season? Maybe.


The best last day of the season for sometime? Definitely.


Survival Sunday is upon us. It's a wonderful day for top flight English football. All games are played at the same time for the only day of the season. There is real excitement and tension at either ends of the table with the title and top 4 still to be decided and the 3rd relegation spot still yet to be settled.


The situation is this.


If City win at home (where they've won 17 of 18 this season) against a battling QPR side (rancid away from Loftus Road this season) then the first title in the Premiership era (and for 44 years) will be theirs.


There's the hype of it being a 'grudge match' for Mark Hughes after his 'unethical'?! dismissal from the club half way through the 2009/10 season. Fergie wishes Sparky was playing against the club he once
managed, but instead it will be Bobby Zamora, Djibril Cisse and Jay Bothroyd standing in the way of the Champions to be...
Ferguson hopes that mirrors will help his United team lift the trophy. "If you analyse Mark Hughes as a player and manager, all his teams seem to mirror him.
"He was a warrior as a player and I wish he was playing. If his team can mirror him then you never know." Mirror, mirror on the wall.  The City fans will be going wild with excitement if their team take an early lead, but the longer it remains goaless the more the tension, and nerves will rise.  An early goal and the game and title is over, if QPR keep them quiet for an hour it could be a very intense finale.

United will do their best to batter Martin O'Neil's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (which shouldn't be too hard seeing as Sunderland seemed to have reverted to how they played under Steve Bruce in the past month or so). The United game will only add pressure to the City match. These City players don't have the Premier League winners experience that United have, but it shouldn't really matter, QPR at home is an easy fixture to finish up with, and if you'd said to Roberto Mancini 8 games ago all they had to do on the last day is beat the R's at home, he would have licked his lips and flicked his quiff in delight.


Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal are all playing out their own mini-drama in the battle for the 3rd automatic Champions League spot (if Chelsea win against Bayern in a just over a week then 4th place won't mean dick). 4th place will probably be enough as Bayern should beat Chelsea at home in the final May 17th, but it's not worth the risk (and extra games, of finishing fourth and going through the preliminary rounds of the Champions League qualifying.


Tottenham will play Fulham at home, they should smash the Cottagers who have nothing at stake.  The Yids start the day in fourth but will hope to pip north London rivals Arsenal to 3rd to avoid more piss taking about the 'mind the gap' banter earlier in the season.

Arsenal will play WBA for the England's managers last game in charge.  West Brom aren't too bad at home against Arsenal and the Gunners might slip up here and end up in 4th.  Maybe a big performance from the West Brom players as a thank you and fair well to their gaffa, as well as a thank god that we don't have to get drilled so hard in practice from now on!  Wenger has looked nervous all season and I'm sure he'll be clutching his stomach at some stage as he sits in his sleeping bag jacket on the bench at the Hawthornes.  The result against Norwich last week could haunt the Arsenal, who will be playing for their dark tinted spec wearing assistant Pat Rice who is retiring as an Arsenal legend after this game.

Everton will host the other contenders Newcastle, who will fancy scoring at Goodison with Cisse and Ba up top, but will be weary of David Moyes side who hit form late every year and look strong at home.  This could be the last time Newcastle's team plays together before they get pillaged in the summer by 'big' clubs. Cabaye, Tiote, Ba, Krul, Cisse and Ben Arfa will be monitored closely by multiple clubs this summer who know that  Mike Ashley has no problem selling his best assets, and Pardew, the recently voted manager of the year, has already admitted some players may go this summer.  Newcastle have to win, and hope for a slip up from either London club, unlikely.

At the bottom Owen Coyle will be kicking every ball on the side lines (in his full kit with trainers - ODD LOOK!) as Bolton take on Stoke at home.  The Potters lost on the last day of last season to allow Wigan to stay up and the Trotters will hope for a repeat of that.  The 2 late goals conceded to West Brom last week will have kept Coyle up all night this week, but they know that QPR will probably get mullered at the Ethiad so know a win will see them through.  I fancy Stoke to do a number on them here, even though half the team is already on the beach, and one of their most motivated players of late has been Ricardo Fuller (which is saying something!!!)  I'd prefer QPR to stay up because I love the home support at Loftus Road, it's small, compact and a real football ground.  Bolton have been crap all season and without the awful Fabrice Muamba situation I don't think many would have much sympathy  for them if they did get the drop.  Coyle also talks like he needs a drink and has peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth which irritates me wildly in his post and pre-match interviews so I'd prefer to listen to Mark Hughes' drivel next season over Coyles'.  He has a good reputation as a manager and is well liked in football circles, but I'm not sure why, he hasn't done a particularly good job at the Reebok and the off the field drama of this season has detracted a bit from the poor on the field performances, style of play and results.

So... for me, this is how I'd like it to finish...

At the top...

1. Manchester City

2. Manchester United

3. Tottenham Hotspur

4. Arsenal (with Chelsea winning the Champions League so Arsenal don't qualify for the Champions League)

5. Newcastle

At the bottom...

Relegated - Bolton

Safe - QPR

It will probably end up completely different to this, but wouldn't be the worst bet in the world.

End of Season round-ups

It's getting close to that time with the end of the Premiership season drawing to it's conclusion this weekend, and the Championship nearly wrapped up after the playoff final and the Champions League final clash in bit over a week.

The review shows will be full of the goals at Old Trafford when United destroyed Arsenal, and then again for when City destroyed United. It will show the tears of the Wolves and Blackburn fans relegated and the t-shirts of support for Suarez (before his 8 game ban), it will have a montage of Fabio Capello's tenure as England boss, and some of Roy Hodgson's head banging antics in the WBA dugout.

Bloggers, journo's and twitterers will all have their say on the season so here is mine...

This is a great time to look back on my good, bad and the ugly for the season.

The good - Papisse Demba Cisse, 'The Cockney Mafia' the 'Toon'.

He's been a revelation for a wonderful Newcastle side this year, with his 9 million pound move in January showing that smart and effective deals can be done in the window and guys that score in German can score in England. His second goal at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago during Newcastle's brilliant 2 nil win has my vote for goal of the season, with Peter Crouch's stunning chest and volley against Manchester City a close second, and Luis Suarez's long distance blast against Norwich picking up the bronze. Cisse has scored remarkable goals since his move, bettering Alan Shearer's record for goals in his first 12 games, NOT an easy feat. Newcastle have been terrific for the majority of the season, and although I think Alan Pardew is a complete weapon, it's hard to argue with the job that he, and the Cockney Mafia have done at St. James, oops, I meant the Sports Direct Arena this season. Will it finish with Champions League football a year after being in the Championship? We will see.  Pardew has done a good job and is in the running for manager of the year, he's not my cup of tea however and I'm interested to see how he fares next season now other teams are aware of Newcastle and they will probably sell some players this summer.

Swansea have been sensational too, and I really enjoyed watching Paul Lambert's Norwich City.




The bad - Liverpool (and Arsenal)

Arsenal haven't been good, like Chelsea and Liverpool this season, when a lot was expected from them. A truly terrible start from them including the refund inducing performance that ended in a 8-2 hammering at Old Trafford where a pissed up Tony Adams would have offered more backbone than the players on show looked like it could end Arsene Wenger's time in charge of the Gunners. He survived and so did they, but without the goals of RVP they wouldn't be anywhere near the Champions League places, and it's only really down to his goals and the poor play of the other teams around them that they are in with a shout. Tottenham should have had 3rd spot, or 2nd sown up. Chelsea have had a mad season sacking AVB, bringing in Di Matteo, winning the FA cup final, losing 3rd, 4th, or even 5th in the league, by solely concentrating on the Champions League final, which they won't win. Arsenal, will be there or there abouts, because they do have the PFA player of the year and golden boot winner RVP (for now at least). Liverpool with that man would probably be where Arsenal are now. Instead they have a 35 million quid caveman who didn't score enough, a Urugyuan superstar who missed 9 games of the season through suspension at a crucial time and fires hot and cold, and a squad of piss-poor players. Everton may well finish above their city rivals this year for the first time in recent memory, fans will blame long cup runs, and bad luck in front of goal this season for not getting more points on the board. 30+ times the Reds have hit the woodwork at home this season, and missed more penalties than anyone else, but so what? You have to get the ball in the net and make your own luck. Dalglish's signings (Adam, Henderson, Downing, Carroll) haven't lived up to expectations or been anywhere near good enough all season. It's back to the drawing board for King Kenny as he finds his team as close to the relegation zone as they are to the Champions league spots. Not good enough for a moneyball inspired team of highly paid players. Without the cup runs (and in truth, even with them) this has been a bad, bad, bad season for Liverpool.




The Ugly - Blackburn Rovers, Steve Kean & Venky's.

Steve Kean has held 'dignity' in the face of torrents of abuse throughout the whole season. Venky's the Indian poultry firm stood firm with him even after protests, sit in's and planes flying over head with messages of distaste for the Scotsman. The Venky's group bought the team with promises of Champions League football within 4 years, they achieved relegation and the hate of most of the home support within 2. The rumour mill had them signing players like Ronaldinho, but instead the agent put in charge of the clubs transfer dealings signed his own son (who is yet to play a first team game), and put one of the men he represents, Steve Kean, in the hot seat. Steve Kean should step down, there is nothing heroic in what he's doing, pledging to stay on. It's been an awful season, he's been an awful appointment and sadly for Blackburn, if it'doesn't make changes, will turn into a truly awful club. All this after good old Jack Walker had helped win them the Premiership in 1995 (still one of only 4 teams - soon to be 5, to do so). Steve Kean said "We're absolutely devastated. The players are numb inside the dressing room" after the turgid defeat to Wigan (who have been excellent over the past 8 games in comparison to Blackburn's hideous form). Kean seems to be 'numb' himself to the reality that surrounds him. As long as he is at the helm and Venky's run the club, there will be a poisonous atmosphere around the club. Kean looked like a drowning rat during Monday night's defeat and subsequent relegation, sadly for Blackburn he doesn't look like he's going to jump ship!
Wolves were crap, Bolton too.