ONE POINT TO GO

 

 

Well, now we were getting deep into May and the title was still up for grabs, but the Scousers surely had their work cut out to stop us from claiming it yet again. Their main issue was the fact that we still had a game in hand, this time dating from our involvement in the FA Cup semi finals. In the meantime, our biggest issue was an internal one, would we have to let Tevez go? I reckon that we might be able to get away with it but stil, it wouldn't exactly be ideal. He says he wants to stay but Fergie doesn't want him. Fergie says that a new contract has actually been offered. Personally I have to wonder whether Tevez's agent is charging too much for the Argie assain. Either way, we still had the Premiership campaign to deal with.

First up, we had Man City heading for Old Trafford. Well Ronaldo opened the scoring with one of he specials and while City did try to give us a match but the better side was always going to be the team in red, Tevez making it two just before half time. In the second half City were arguably the better side but though they have some star names of their own nowadays, none of they were able to make use of the chances they were given. United were able to cruise to the finish. After last season, it was good to have such a straightforward game against City. Three points claimed and the heat was totally on the Scousers. We couldn't blow it now surely.

Next was a trip to the JJB stadium to take on Wigan for our game in hand. Well the first half must have been our lowest energy performance for some time. Sure enough, Wigan took advantage and opened the scoring through Hugo Rodellega. That meant that Fergie had to freshen things up at half time and that led to Tevez grabbing himself an equaliser. Wigan never really went away but we still had the last laugh when Carrick hit the winner and though Steve Bruce's side had the last attack, it didn't come to anything. Despite the lacklustre performance, we still managed to pull off the win eventually, I guess as the chant says "that's why we're champions".

Elsewhere, Liverpool faced West Ham at Upton Park. Steven Gerrard opened the scoring early on for the Scousers and then made it to after he collected the rebound from his own penalty despite the Hammers having some decent moments mid half. In the second half, Pool continued to have the better game though West Ham did hit the net though it was ruled out for offside. Ryan Babbel finished the game off though, grabbing Liverpool's third. The result was of limited use to Rafa Benitez though as United went on to make full use of our game in hand and now not only remain top of the Premiership but extend our lead to six points.

North of the border, Aberdeen faced Hearts at Pittodrie in the SPL. The first half was a nervy affair but the Dons certainly had their chances but though they were the better side, when the half time whistle blew, the match was still goalless. The Dons then got a real chance to take the lead when Hearts found themselves down to ten men with Marius Zaliukas getting red carded but even the extra man didn't allow them to put the ball in the net. A dissapointing result in what was really a must win game for the Dons. Needless to say Jimmy's not happy and is now banking on getting three points out of Ibrox on the weekend. In the meantime, two points dropped surely.

Elsewhere, Dundee United faced Celtic at Celtic Park. Glen Loovens opened the scoring for the Celts in a first half where the Celts were the better side though the Tangerines certainly didn't roll over and hand good chances both sides of the Celtic goal. The Bhoys looked to stifle their big ideas in the second half with Giorgios Samaras getting their second. David Robinson pulled one back for the Tangerines but Gordon Strachen's team were able to ride out the subsequent storm. And the 80s Pittodrie legend may well have done his old team a favour. Aberdeen remain 5th in the SPL, but are now only three points behind Dundee United and a Europa League spot.

Going back south of the border and down a level, the Championship playoff semi finals have taken place. Sheffield United beat Preston North End 2-1 on aggregate with the Blades building on an away goal to win at home and secure their spot in the final. Burnley beat 3-0 on aggregate in what was a much straightforward affair, the Clarets getting their bigger win away from home to get themselves within an inch of the top flight. You'd have thought Reading would have been able to see off Burnley, apparantly so did Steve Coppell so now the Royals are looking for a new manager. Burnley fans must be stunned to have their team this close to the top flight.

Well now we have the final between Sheffield United and Burnley at Wembley. For the Blades this is their first appearance in the playoffs since they got relegated from the Premiership in 06/07. For Burnley this is the closest they've been to the top flight since relegation from the old First Division in 1975/76. Given the contrast in history, you'd have thought the Blades would have the edge here and yet Clarets fans would bring up their Cup runs this season. Chances are though that that would only get them so far. Even now I'd still say the Blades have the stronger squad and given that they came within an inch of automatic promotion, chances are they're going up.

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