Where else is there to start this week other than the end to the Premier League season? Every year, the final day is referred to as 'thrilling'. However, this year it truly was with more twists and turns than a soap opera. At the top of the table, Manchester City won the title with seconds to spare after coming from two behind in injury time to defeat QPR 3-2. What made the finale at Eastlands extra special was that their title and city rivals Manchester United had walked off the field following a 1-0 at Sunderland thinking they had won the title. When news broke of Aguero's late winner, Sunderland's fans mocked United by performing the 'Poznan'. Even though many people believe the manner in which City have won the title, i.e. buying it, is wrong, I can't help but think surely this is good for the league, adding another team to the pot of potential winners.
QPR themselves were also involved in final day relegation drama this year, with their defeat at Eastlands meaning a Bolton win a Stoke would see the Londoners relegated. The Wanderers did lead 2-1 at half-time, but the game finished 2-2, leaving Bolton to depart the Premier League after 11 years. I feel sorry for them given the injuries they have received to key players over the course of the season, but clearly the replacements just did not perform.
Champions League qualification was still up for grabs, with Arsenal, Newcastle and my beloved Spurs still vying for the final two spots. Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at Everton put pay to any chances they had, leaving it between the North London rivals to see who could watch the Champions League final without worry. A suspect goalkeeping performance from ex-Spurs player Marton Fulop pretty much gifted Arsenal a 3-2 victory at West Brom, and Spurs also won 2-0 at home to Fulham. Unfortunately, this means I will have to nervously watch the final cheering on Bayern, as a Chelsea win would see us lose the spot to Chelsea as the defending champions.
In other sporting news, it was great to see Williams back on the top step of the Formula 1 podium after what seems an eternity. After the season they had last year, it is nice to see the once-great name back where it rightly belongs. It also means that we have seen five different drivers from five different teams win the first five races this year. With such a wide open field, you can't help but think this is surely going to be one of the best seasons ever. The next race at Monaco will be interesting, a track where comeback kid Kimi Raikkonen has won before. He is in great form at the minute, so could we be looking at a sixth different driver from a sixth different team triumphing?
Monday 14 May 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)