Today has seen the end of arguably the most rollercoaster and unpredictable Premier League season ever. With all of the major issues still to be finalised, the final day showdown was lined up to be a cracker. As such, I have decided to play around with the blog this week and am instead going to be writing my thoughts as the action unfolds. Hopefully this will represent the day in an appropriate and just way.
1330: I believe I should now put forward my predictions for the afternoon. In all honestly, I don’t expect a lot to change, although I anticipate twists and turns between 3 and 5pm. I think the top 4 will remain as they are; City taking the title ahead of United, with Arsenal and then Spurs completing the top four. At the bottom, I think a City victory is practically guaranteed and that will galvanise Bolton to get the win they need to survive. As such I think QPR will join Blackburn and Wolves in the Championship next season.
1415: The team news is emerging and at the top there are some interesting selections. City remain unchanged. Surprising, when you consider the impact Yaya Toure has had in the previous two matches in a more advanced role, where, in reality he has been a match-winner. United also throw a curveball into the mix by adopting a 4-5-1 formation. It did not work in the Manchester derby so it surprises me that they have reverted back to it in such an important game. The return of Michael Owen on the bench is also noteworthy. He has missed most of the season through yet another injury, but the man is a predator in front of goal and has a history of scoring in the big games. Could he be blazoned on the back pages of tomorrow morning’s papers?
1500: Whistles are blown around the country. There is now an awful lot of money riding on just 90 minutes worth of football. The Premier League is the most commercial division in the world and whether that is always good for the game, is an argument in itself. However, it is not just budgets that will be affected today; people’s feelings are going to be thrown all over the place. An amazing thought when you consider this scenario has been created following nine months of thrills and spills.
1515: Goals! Goals! Goals! This is lining up to be an exciting day with nine goals in the opening 15 minutes, the one of most significance being at the Britannia where Jonathan Walters has put Stoke ahead. Bolton now have to turn the game on itself and demonstrate true grit and determination to want to escape this dog-fight in a manner similar to how Fabrice Muamba battled back from the cardiac arrest he suffered. QPR’s superb recent results against Arsenal and Tottenham are now, more than ever, demonstrating their importance in this relegation scrap. They were written off with their run-in, but at this moment in time they are surviving for a second year in the top tier.
1550: With half-time being called I am only one prediction out. Bolton and their talismanic forward Kevin Davies have swung the relegation battle around by leading at Stoke, whilst Manchester City, through the unlikely source of Pablo Zabaleta, have a hand on the title, although United are in a position that gives them no opportunity to slip up. A big turning point could be the substitution of Yaya Toure. Inspirational over the season, he has succumbed to injury and that could be a moment that gives QPR some heart and galvanises them. Meanwhile, it is Spurs currently taking third, predominantly due to Arsenal’s incapability to defend. It’s been a struggle of theirs all season, and their fans must yearn for the likes of Dixon, Adams, Bould and Winterburn in front of Seaman once again.
1610: Boom. QPR have rarely entered their opponents half so far in this game, but with news from Stoke probably ringing in their ears following half-time they have come out and not only made themselves safe once more, but they have sent the title back to the red side of Manchester. It is a goal from nowhere and certainly one I hadn’t predicted after the opening 45 minutes. Let the clichés roll out: It’s a game of two halves; It’s a funny old game, etc.
1625: This is incredible. QPR are leading at the Etihad Stadium. Not only that, they are doing so with 10 men. Joey Barton has once again proven to the world why he is a thug and deserves no place in the world of football, he is an absolute disgrace; not only for the red card incident but for his subsequent behaviour as well. Why people continue to defend him and give him opportunities I do not know. However, his team-mates are doing the job, with another goal out of the blue. I did say Yaya Toure’s absence could be pivotal, and now City need to score twice without his presence on the field. Mancini will be pulling his hair out. Could this be the time for maverick Mario to make himself a loved character once more?! They need to throw players forward now...
1655: City have won it! Two goals in Fergie time! I had just said to my parents I could see Aguero winning it for them, and what does he do one minute later?! This has to be the best ending to a Premier League season ever! Put aside wherever your allegiances are, this is just an incredible day and turnaround! I love football! Absolutely fantastic! City were down and out, they had completely bottled the task but somehow, from nowhere, they have won the league!
So there it is, the end of the season, and having looked back on this post, and as you’ve followed it I hope you can comprehend the emotions that make this game so wonderful. I got all my predictions correct as well, except the relegation battle, although I was only one goal out with that. However, by no means was it as easy as I made it out to be; the twists the turns, the excitement, the thrills and spills, it has been an awesome day and a crazy few hours. I anticipate that Match of the Day will draw in a huge audience tonight. Maybe there won’t be many City fans tuned in though, a big night in Manchester awaits...
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