What a day! Manchester United confirmed again and underlined the strength and depth of their team that has taken the league crown for the 18th time - everything else but at their best, but still the most deservedly.
Newcastle on the other hand proved the exact opposite. The unrest behind the scenes, the lack of determination and passion on the pitch plus tough luck at some of the most crucial times, all together led to the much-dreaded but inevitable downfall and relegation.
Hull City have given and got JUST enough to stay up, mainly thanks to the distinctively impressive first half of the season.
Middlesbrough, like Newcastle, just lacked a little bit of everything - unlike Liverpool's starmen, who have achieved a record point-tally for their club. Never has a team gone unrewarded, without the title, with so many points.
Top Game: Manchester United's win over Hull did not only prove the quality of their youngsters but also confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson knows what he is doing. I don't know why many kept ranting on and criticising Fergie for lining up a young team. We have seen for nearly a quarter of a century now, he knows what he is doing and he does it best. They have huge resources, so, why shouldn't they use them?!
Top Goal: Nicolas Anelka's goal was a beauty with the outside of his right foot, same goes for Robin van Persie's second. But Darron Gibson's far range stunner that won the match for United wins the laud from me, just one touch from Federico Macheda's cross, very convincingly impressive.
Top Goal: Nicolas Anelka's goal was a beauty with the outside of his right foot, same goes for Robin van Persie's second. But Darron Gibson's far range stunner that won the match for United wins the laud from me, just one touch from Federico Macheda's cross, very convincingly impressive.
Top Team: United is the obvious pick again, but Liverpool deserve the same respect and recognition for reaching their club-record number of points. It is the first time a team with that many points has not been crowned champions, as mentioned above. They still did not lose any face, passion or quality, even after they were given no chance to catch up with United for the last month or so. They will most probably be darning the (lost) situation, but it is the best they have been in for many years which can only be the more inspiring and motivating for next season.
Top Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson and his record with United is untouchable. But nevertheless, Roy Hodgson and Steve Bruce have also done a brill job, securing and improving their teams status and stability/chances of progress in the Premier League.
Top Player: There are some obvious picks on the scoring list again this week, i.e. Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka, but my vote goes to Dirk Kuyt. In this match, like in all of them this season, he ran his socks of left, right and centre, enjoying chances himself - including the one that ended up as an own goal, but also being a quality provider again, too. Too often his contributions get overlooked and all the laud goes to the usual main playmakers and top scorers, as named above.
Flop Game and Team: I was disappointed with Newcastle. Them having the easiest fixture amongst the relegation-battlers, they seemed to be giving the least, fighting the least. The own goal conceded by Damien Duff hurt but it just did not seem like the Magpies cared jointly and severally. Shame to see them go down, but in the end, I cannot say the others deserved it less to stay up. As they say, the table never lies. As Alan Curbishley put it, it was a car crash waiting to happen.
Flop Goal: The Damien Duff own goal mentioned above just hurt the most. James Beattie's own goal he conceded against Arsenal looked the more comical - quality elegant shot, just in the wrong net...
Flop Manager: Alan Shearer, I just feel sorry for him. He was assigned with an impossible job, I think; not exactly the start you want to make in your managerial career. I don't know what Newcastle were hoping he could do, he is not a magician. They will all have to work hard and make major changes, on the pitch and behind the scenes, if they want to make a comeback into the top-flight.
Flop Player: David Edgar's sending off just reflects his team's season, what was he thinking?! Or expecting?!
My Predictions - Actual Scores
Arsenal 2:1 Stoke City - 4:1
Aston Villa 1:1 Newcastle - 1:0
Blackburn 2:0 West Brom - 0:0
Fulham 2:2 Everton - 0:2
Hull City 1:2 Man Utd - 0:1
Liverpool 3:1 Tottenham - 3:1
Man City 1:0 Bolton - 1:0
Sunderland 1:4 Chelsea - 2:3
West Ham 2:1 Middlesbrough - 2:1
Wigan 1:1 Portysmouth - 1:0
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