Chelsea 2 – 1 Man Utd
Michael Ballack celebrates his first goal for Chelsea.
Chelsea have made the title run something more than merely academic. Some of United’s more head-scratching losses this season are looking even more costly as the Blues have now tied the Red Devils in points. Only more wins and goal difference separates the two sides, with United’s commanding +53 differential trumping the Pensioners’ 37.
With only two fixtures remaining, Chelsea faces a resurgent Newcastle United and bottom-feeders Bolton to close out their season. Man U will face their nemesis West Ham, and Wigan in their last two fixtures. While United drubbed Wigan earlier this season at Old Trafford, the JJB has the league’s worst pitch and it has stymied quality sides Blackburn (who lost 5-3) and Arsenal (a goalless draw).
It all comes down to whether the Magpies can halt the Blues and whether West Ham will complete another double against Man U, and whether bottom sides Wigan and Bolton can muster any opposition. Personally, I’d rather it were any other two sides vying for the trophy, but this is a good race. It’ll be exciting to see the finish. West Ham 2 – 2 Newcastle
Newcastle salvaged a draw with two late first-half goals from Oba Martins and Geremi, after falling 2-0 on strikes from Mark Noble and Dean Ashton.
The race for 10th place (that’s mostly a joke, fyi) went nowhere with a draw between holders West Ham and 12th place Newcastle. Now five points clear of both Tottenham and NUFC, West Ham needs only one more win to guarantee their top-of-the-table finish. A draw in their last two games and two wins from Spurs will put Tottenham in 10th, while Newcastle needs to win both of their upcoming games, with the Hammers losing both and Spurs losing at least one of their last two.
Part of what makes the Premier League so much fun to watch are the battles that take place throughout the table. There’s the fight to win it all, there’s the battle to make the Champions League and the UEFA Cup, there’s the struggle to stay up, and then there’s the very minor point of finishing above the fold at 10th place.
Man City 2 – 3 Fulham
The Cottagers are making their case for why they should stay up, but it still may be too late. Their fate doesn’t rest entirely in their own hands, but two more wins will certainly help after managing a brace of victories around an expected defeat against Liverpool.
Their comeback win against Man City will be the stuff of legend if Roy Hodgson’s men stay up. Down 2 – 0, Diamancy Kamara scored a brace around a Danny Murphy goal to seal win for Fulham. They face Birmingham City in a very winnable contest and then have their truest test against a strong Portsmouth side to end the campaign.
Sunderland 3 – 2 Middlesbrough
Roy Keane can breathe a little easier. With a win over local rivals Boro, the former Red Devil has coached his Mackems to safety and a return to the top flight next season.
Gareth Southgate’s men can still fall into the drop if they can’t muster a win from either of their two remaining fixtures (Portsmouth and Man City) and Birmingham can pull off two wins from their matches against Fulham and Blackburn.
Birmingham 2 – 2 Liverpool
City “blue” their chance to steal three points from Liverpool when they gave up a 2-goal lead and split the points. Birmingham desperately needed to retain the lead in their fight to avoid the drop, but Rafa Benitez’s men spoiled that party.
Tottenham 1 – 1 Bolton
Spurs grabbed a point from their match against Bolton to keep pace with Newcastle and retain 11th place. Bolton, in dire need of a win to increase their cushion above the relegation places, are still in danger after the draw.
Wigan 0 – 0 Reading
A goal is better than a loss may be true in most cases but, when facing relegation, a win is the only acceptable result and Reading couldn’t manage it against Steve Bruce’s Wigan.
Those last two tickets to the League Championship are still up for grabs. Though Fulham and Birmingham City currently hold them, Reading could easily be one of the team’s relegated, depending on how the last two rounds unfold.
