Week 34 of the English Premier League sees Man City crowned Premier League champions after Man United lose to West Brom at home.
Conversation with my mother flows as freely as a chinwag with someone recently beheaded. The one out that I always have is football.
“Did you watch the City game?” I asked my Mum, referring to the Manchester derby, which United won 3-2.
“Yeah, they were ok. But, they will lose this weekend. That’s what United are like under this man. I don’t like him. They have no consistency.” Sh
e replied.
“Mam, they’re playing West Brom. Everybody beats West Brom.”
Everybody except United it seems.
Oh, the irony.
Last weekend, United travelled to the Etihad knowing a defeat against one of the most formidable sides in world football would hand them the championship. Two goals down at half time, United rallied to win 3-2. Grit. Determination. Resolve.
And then, the following week they lose 1-0 to the worst side in the Premier League (only the second time in history that United have lost to the team sitting on the bottom) handing City the title as they had already beaten Spurs 3-1 at Wembley the previous day.
In the press conference after the match, Jose Mourinho reminded everyone that he had won eight titles, and a win over City doesn’t result in him being ‘on the moon’ before suggesting some of his players were still dancing around in the white dust instead of performing on the pitch.
{I think it’s over the moon, Jose.}
So City are the champions.
Nothing new there.
It was always a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’.
After losing three consecutive games, resulting in a disappointing exit from the Champions League, City turned it on at Wembley beating Spurs with ease.
Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gündogan and Raheem Sterling got onto the scoresheet. Christian Eriksen gave City the jitters when he halved the deficit just before half time, but it was a dominant display from the Citizens.
It’s a bit of a damp squid though, watching the game on the box and learning you are the new champions of the English Premier League. They should have all piled over to my mum’s house.
The Fight to Avoid Relegation
Jay Rodriguez’s winning goal against United means the bookies have slashed their relegation odds from 1/2000 to 1/1000, but they are still nine points adrift from safety.
Focusing on the other two sides in the bottom three and Southampton gave away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Chelsea in a mad eight-minute spell late in the second half to remain rooted in the kill zone. Southampton faces Man City in the last game of the season and will be hoping their bellies are full of White Lightning and kebab. Stoke play West Ham in a crucial relegation tussle on Monday night,
An injury-time winner from Tom Ince propelled Huddersfield into 14th place in the table, seven points clear of safety, after a tense and terse tie against Watford. It was a must-win game for David Wagner’s side as the Terriers next face Chelsea, Everton, Man City and Arsenal. As you would expect the bookies still have them as a 9/2 shot for relegation as the three points earned against Watford could easily be their last.
Swansea is also 9/2 after another disappointing result, this time a 1-1 draw at Everton. A Kyle Naughton own goal gave Everton the lead just before half time. Jordan Ayew equalised with 20-minutes remaining to salvage a point.
And Crystal Palace moves out to 20/1 after a barnstorming victory over relegation rivals Brighton. All five goals came in a crazy first half that saw Wilfried Zaha bag a brace. It was the Eagles first win in 11-games. Brighton needed something from that game with Spurs, Burnley, Man Utd and Liverpool waiting in the wings – although they should beat United, according to my mum.
Relegation Odds
West Brom 1/1000
Stoke 1/8
Southampton 4/9
Huddersfield 9/2
Swansea 9/2
Brighton 8/1
Crystal Palace 20/1
West Ham 20/1
Here are the rest of the results in full.
Results in Full
Southampton 2 v 3 Chelsea
Burnley 2 v 1 Leicester
Swansea 1 v 1 Everton
Crystal Palace 3 v 2 Brighton
Huddersfield 1 v 0 Watford
Liverpool 3 v 0 Bournemouth
Spurs 1 v 3 Man City
Newcastle 2 v 1 Arsenal
Man Utd 0 v 1 West Brom
To Be Played (Mon)
West Ham v Stoke
Premier League Table
1. Man City – 87
2. Man Utd – 71
3. Liverpool – 70
4. Spurs – 67
5. Chelsea – 60
6. Arsenal – 54
7. Burnley – 52
8. Leicester – 43
9. Everton – 42
10. Newcastle – 41
11. Bournemouth – 38
12. Watford – 37
13. Brighton – 35
14. Huddersfield – 35
15. West Ham – 34
16. Crystal Palace – 34
17. Swansea – 33
18. Southampton – 28
19. Stoke – 27
20. West Brom – 24
