Sunday 13 May 2012

2011/2012 Final Day Round-Up

Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United: When the whistle went at the Stadium of Light, Manchester United were champions. Just two minutes later, the title had changed hands and Manchester City were crowned champions. The only goal of the game came on 20-minutes when Wayne Rooney headed a Phil Jones cross home. United came close on numerous occasions, but United couldn't extend their lead and it was that goal difference throughout this season that ultimately cost them.

Manchester City 3-2 QPR: QPR stay up despite this defeat, which was five minutes away from being a victory. With news that United had taken the lead, City responded with Pablo Zabaleta hitting a shot that Paddy Kenny could only parry into his own net six minutes before half-time. The title was then heading to United when a Joleon Lescott mistake allowed Djibril Cisse to equalise three minutes into the second half. But QPR's chances of holding on looked to get slimmer when Joey Barton elbowed Carlos Tevez, he was subsequently sent off and decided to then kick-out at Sergio Aguero just ten minutes into the second period. Barton had to eventually be man-handled off the pitch which earned a chunk of stoppage time. Despite being a man down, QPR came up with a goal that would almost seal their safety and United's title; Jamie Mackie headed home a Armand Traore cross on 66-minutes. The game at United was finishing just as substitute Edin Dzeko was heading home a corner to make it 2-2 with three minutes of injury time left. Sergio Aguero then took the title from United's grasp with a 94th minute winner, the most dramatic win the most dramatic Premier league season.

Stoke 2-2 Bolton: If Bolton had won, they'd have stayed up. It looked bleak for the Trotters when Jon Walters looked to have bundled Adam Bogdan into the goal when the Hungarian clearly had the ball in his hands on 13-minutes. But Bolton came back and Mark Davies equalised when a Huth clearance was charged down by him six minutes before half-time. They would then have the lead by half-time when Kevin Davies' cross come shot bamboozled Thomasz Sorensen, but the Dane really should have saved it. Bolton then shot themselves in the foot when Bogdan seemingly brought Peter Crouch down, Walters stepped-up and sent Bolton down on 66-minutes.

West Brom 2-3 Arsenal: Arsenal secure third spot in another crazy game, Roy Hodgson's last at the Hawthornes. Arsenal took the lead on four minutes when Marton Fulop hesitated, allowing Yossi Benayoun to nip in a roll the ball into an empty net. West Brom equalised on 11-minutes when Shane Long was put though before Graham Dorrans made it 2-1 just four minutes later. Andre Santos equalised on the half hour mark when his shot could only be parried into his own net by Fulop. Fulop then made another mistake nine minutes into the second half; the keeper punched the ball backwards from a corner and into Laurent Koscielny's grateful path.

Tottenham 2-0 Fulham: Tottenham did all that they could to try and get third, but ultimately ended with fourth and must wait until next Saturday to see if they will be playing Champions League football next season. Emanuel Adebayor gave Spurs the lead after just two minutes when he finished off a one-two with Rafael Van Der Vaart. Jermain Defoe wrapped the points up for Tottenham on 63-minutes with a poacher's goal.

Everton 3-1 Newcastle: Newcastle's hopes of gaining fourth were crushed by the two London clubs winning but by losing themselves. Steven Pienaar gave Everton the lead with a deflected effort on 16-minutes. That became 2-0 on 27-minutes when Nikica Jelavic made it ten goals in ten games for the Toffees.  Johnny Heitinga headed his second Everton goal and their third of the day on 66-minutes before Tony Hibbert made it 3-1 with a headed own goal on 73-minutes. The season ended sour for Everton however, Tim Cahill was sent off after the final whistle for putting his hands around the throat of Yohann Cabaye.

Wigan 3-2 Wolves: Wolves to fail to end their dreadful season with a win. They did take the lead on nine minutes when Matt Jarvis scored. Franco Di Santo equalised just three minutes later with a well placed bottom corner shot. Emerson Boyce headed Wigan ahead from a corner on 14-minutes before smashing a great half-volley home eleven minutes from time. Wolves did get the final say though when Steven Fletcher scored into an empty net with four minutes left.

Chelsea 2-1 Blackburn: Steve Kean failed to get a win in Blackburn's final Premier League game. John Terry opened the scoring on 31-minutes before his fellow suspended CL final colleague, Raul Meireles, made it two goals in three minutes. It was no surprise to see Yakubu score Blackburn's final PL goal on the hour mark.

Swansea 1-0 Liverpool: Kenny Dalglish's management may come under severe scrutiny after ending the season poorly. The only goal of the game came when Danny Graham scored his 100th career goal via an Angel Rangel low cross four minutes from time.

Norwich 2-0 Aston Villa: Villa's disappointing season comes to an end via another poor display at Carrow Road. Grant Holt finished his season off with yet another goal after just eight minutes, bundling a free-kick over the line. Simeon Jackson then made it 2-0 via the second attempt on 22-minutes.


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