The Premiership - The Final Round-Up

ukevents · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1941

The last day of the Premiership always brings a bit of hope - the final chance to grab pole position; or get into Europe; or stay up in the top flight. And expectations always bears two kinds of fruits. The first is of course, elation when you achieve your goal. The second unfortunately is deep disappointment and resignation of fate.

Manchester Utd fell under the Hammers' spell when Tevez's lone goal of the match won West Ham an important victory.West Ham was staying up and the Champion of the Premier League has failed to beat the Hammers this season. As West Ham celebrated their 0-1 victory on the foreboding grounds of Old Trafford, Man Utd lifted the big one once again after four years

Blackburn Rovers took the lead three times against the official underdogs of the season, Reading, but were unable to hang on to their lead. Each time, Reading came back with a roar and the Royals thoroughly showed why they deserved to stay in the Premiership in the 3-3 encounter at Ewood Park. McCarthy, Bentley and Derbyshire were the scorers for the home team. Seol, Doyle and Gunnarsson equalised after each respective goal. So impressive Reading has been, that their midfield maestro Sidwell has been snapped up by another club (apparently that Russian-rich one).

Allardyce is Newcastle Utd's new manager but that didn't stop him from watching his Trotters secure a place in Europe next season. In the tense and exciting encounter at the Reebok Stadium took the lead twice - the first through Speed and then Davies. But Villa fought valiantly to edge back through Gardner after Speed's goal and then snatched the deserved point late in the game through Moore. Bolton 2 Aston Villa 2.

The runner-ups of the Premiership didn't have a dream finish either as they played Everton to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Young Vaughan fired the Toffees into the lead early in the second half, but Drogba, true to his fabulous form all season long, knocked one past Tim Howard just seven minutes later. Chelsea now matched Liverpool 63 games unbeaten home run and Drogba brought his season's goal tally to 32.

It was supposed to be Fowler's last match in a Red shirt (though he might want to come back for the CL) but he didn't manage to find a goal. Charlton are already relegated, but they fought third-placed Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield. Holland scored barely after the first whistle, but Xabi Alonso, a second half substitute, netted one to bring the home team level. Bent then bagged one to regain the lead in the 72nd minute. Liverpool found the late equaliser through returning Harry Kewell, who was also a second half substitute. He tucked home a penalty for the point. Those of you who've forgotten what Kewell looks like, ask Lady Lala.

Middlesbrough's final game at home against Fulham was kept to a humble final score of 3-1. It would have been a much greater winning margin for the Teessiders if not for their lack of clinical precision and the heroics of Fulham's Antti Niemi. Middlesbrough dominated the game and Viduka bagged a brace for what may be his last game. Wheater commited a boo-boo that allowed Davies to equalise after Viduka's first goal, but he made up for it almost immediately as he nodded the home side back into the lead just before the break.

The Portsmouth-Arsenal game was goal-less, but to me it was ultra-amazing because this was my first live game! Read more about Graham Poll's last Premiership game here.

My poor adopted (I have an different adopted newly-promoted club at the start of every season) Sheffield Utd were relegated when they failed to find victory at Bramall Lane against Wigan. And how cosmic it is that it was Unsworth (former Blade) who scored the winner through a penalty just before halftime. Scharner had earlier edged the Latics in front in the 14th minute, but a Jonathan Stead goal cancelled out the lead. I've a feeling Warnock is going to town on West Ham after this. The final score was 1-2. Although he helped Wigan find the strength and direction to stay in the top flight, Paul Jewell stepped down as manager.

A gallant Man City fell to an undeserved defeat at White Hart Lane. Paul Robinson had to be at his best to keep out the raining attack, but Spurs could have won by a more convincing margin had Defoe not missed his spotkick. Robbie Keane opened the scoring early in the match and his colleague Berbatov joined him on the scoreboard not long after the half-hour. Mpenza netted City's only goal and they lost the game 2-1 to Tottenham. Stuart Pearce has been released as manager of Man City.

Already-relegated Watford put on a good show to draw Newcastle 1-1 at Vicarage Road. Owen, who'd just returned to the team, managed to get stretchered off again (I don't even remember how good he was anymore) when he collided with teammate Pattison. Dyer gave Newcastle the advantage in the first half, but a Nicky Butt handball allowed Marlon King to level for the Hornets with a penalty.

Written by Cheyenne for UKEvents.net

Funkymonk · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 499

Good season for my team Everton when you consider how small our squad is. I think our first choice 11 is as good as anyone outside the "big" four but we'll need more players next year if we want to cope with the extra European fixtures.

Did you see Warnocks rant after he was relagated? Talk about toys flying out of the pram! Hilarious! I'll miss him next year, even if he is a prat sometimes. I won't miss Grahme Poll however. How he managed to get so many high profile games is beyond me.

siren · Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 3 Location: London

Everton has done well. Mikel Arteta in particular has been spectacular.

ukevents · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 1941

Hi Siren,

Thanks for posting - Welcome to the UKEvents.net Online Forum.

Regards, Vic
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