FINISHING WITH A WHIMPER

 

 

Well what can be said from here? Well the Premiership title was already won. There were just two games to go. Both of them were "dead rubbers" to use Davis Cup terminology, maybe a chance to test out the reserves. Either way, though both matches allowed United a chance to gloat and celebrate, they weren't really worth taking seriously. It was just a chance to lay back untill our trip to Wembley to hopefully complete the double for the first time this side of the Millenium.

First up was a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. Jose was honourable enough to return the honour guard we gave his lot back in '05...but it was the reserves that wound up accepting that honour. The main point of interest was that the match proved to be the first team debut of our Chinese striker Fanzshou Dong. Chelsea fielded a slightly stronger side but the result was still a goalless dullsville, the highlight reel containing more hacks than decent shots.

So we ended the season back at Old Trafford to face a West Ham side with survival to play for. Despite the relegation scene being none of our business, Fergie fielded a stronger lineup for this reason. It didn't really matter in the end, Carlos Tevez still hit a first half winner for the Hammers. Credit to Fergie for boosting the team with fresh class at half time, credit to the players for putting in the effort but we already knew from our trip to Upton Park that the Hammers were stubborn gits. Still, Gary Neville got to lift the Premiership trophy for the first time as captain!

So, to sum up, United win the title and Chelsea will be joining us in the Champions League group stages. Liverpool and Arsenal might be joining us as well but they'll have to get through a preliminary round first. Spurs, Everton and Bolton will be playing in the UEFA Cup(though credit to Reading for only missing out on Europe by the skin of their teeth in their first even season in the top flight!). Sheffield United, Charlton and Watford are all toast though.

North of the border, Aberdeen faced Celtic at Celtic Park with the SPL's race for Europe as tense as ever and any hopes of 80s Dons hero Gordon Strachen doing his old club any favours were dashed when Jan Venegoor of Heselink opened the scoring for the Celts. Darren Mackie equalised before half time only for Venegoor of Heselink to give the home side the lead again and the Reds blew at least one great chance to equalise leaving worries as to whether Jimmy Calderwood's crew will choke here.

Elsewhere, Hearts faced Hibs in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle. Mikel Pospisil gave the home side an immediate lead and Andrew Driver made it two before half time. Hibs never looked like getting into the game with Hearts showing the ruthlessness needed to make a late charge to Europe. They are now just one point behind the Dons who are in third place in the SPL. The Reds still hold the 07/08 UEFA Cup spot, but this race is going down to the wire.

Back south of the border and down a level, the 1st legs of the Championship playoffs semi finals were taking place to decide the Premiership's 20th team for 07/08. Southampton were beaten 2-1 by Derby at St Mary's Stadium while Wolves were beaten 3-2 at Molleneux by West Brom. That'll probably make the final at Wembley a match between Derby and West Brom with WBA having the most recent Premiership experience of the two sides.

The UEFA Cup final is midweek.

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