Penultimate Matches

Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City: Sir Alex Ferguson claims that City now have two hands on their first Premiership title after this victory. The turning point of the match came when Samir Nasri was substituted for Nigel De Jong, thus pushing Yaya Toure forward. The Ivorian would then share a slick one-two with Sergio Aguero before curling a beautiful shot into the bottom corner on 71-minutes. City then had countless chances to conceivably wrap the title up before Vincent Kompany headed a corner away to begin a counter attack. David Santon failed to control the ball properly and Sergio Aguero quickly dispossessed him and made his way into the Newcastle half. Suddenly, there were three City players up with him and it would be Gael Clichy who would slide the ball into Toure who lofted the ball past Tim Krul to make it 2-0 with two minutes to go. Newcastle remain in fifth, a point behind Tottenham whereas City host QPR in the final game of the season.

Manchester United 2-0 Swansea: United had already seen City win by the time they kicked off, knowing that only a win would still mathematically keep their title hopes alive. At the start of play, United also had a ten goal deficit they needed to try and claw back. The deadlock was broken when Antonio Valencia pulled the ball back to Michael Carrick, the midfielder’s shot was directed in by Paul Scholes for his fourth goal of the season on 28-minutes. Ashley Young curled the second goal into the bottom corner after Wayne Rooney’s shot came back out to him four minutes before half-time. United’s hunt for more goals seemed rather more subdued in the second half as David De Gea was called into action a bit more. The scoreline stayed at two meaning the two Manchester clubs remain level on points with City having an eight goal advantage. If QPR were to provide any heroics at the Etihad, United must make sure they beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Bolton 2-2 West Brom: Bolton remain two points from safety in a game where they almost had all three. Bolton took the lead on 24-minutes when Youssouf Mulumbu barged Mark Davies over in the box; Martin Petrov stepped up and converted the penalty. It was then 2-0 when Petrov’s cross was deflected into his own net by Billy Jones on 72-minutes. Chris Brunt made it 2-1 three minutes later with a neatly placed shot before James Morrison broke Bolton hearts with the equaliser in injury time. Bolton travel to the Britannia to fight for their Premiership survival on the last day of the season.

QPR 1-0 Stoke: QPR now move two points ahead of Bolton and the relegation zone with this victory over Stoke. Substitute Djibril Cisse scored the winner via a corner in the final minute of the game, his fifth goal in seven games. This could give them vital momentum going into the game against Manchester City.

Arsenal 3-3 Norwich: The only Saturday game saw Arsenal secure a see-saw draw against Norwich, seeing them stay third by a point. Yossi Benayoun celebrated his birthday with a curler after just two minutes to give the hosts the lead. Wes Hoolahan equalised on 12-minutes when his shot was spilled into the net by Wojiech Szczesny. Grant Holt then made it 2-1 on 27-minutes when his shot was helped over Szczesny by the boot of Kieron Gibbs. Arsenal were level on 72-minutes when Alex Song’s ball was volleyed home by Robin Van Persie, the Dutchman would then make it 3-2 eight minutes later, matching Thierry Henry’s goal record. But Norwich weren’t to be denied and Steven Morison scored the second equaliser with five minutes remaining.

Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham: Villa’s place in the Premiership is all but assured with this point putting them three clear of the relegation zone with a much superior goal difference. Tottenham remain fourth, a point behind Arsenal but a point ahead of Newcastle. Ciaran Clark gave Villa the lead ten minutes before half-time when his shot was deflected off William Gallas before looping past Brad Friedel on his return to Villa Park. Spurs were then down to ten men four minutes into the second half when Danny Rose was sent off for a studs in challenge on Alan Hutton.  Tottenham would then have a penalty on 62-minutes when Richard Dunne fouled Sandro in the box from a corner; Emmanuel Adebayor converted the spot-kick.

Fulham 2-1 Sunderland: Clint Dempsey gave Fulham the lead with a stunning free-kick on 12-minutes, his 50^th Premiership goal. Phil Bardsley equalised on his 150^th senior game 11-minutes before half-time. But parity lasted less than a minute when Moussa Dembele made it 2-1 via a deflection.

Wolves 0-0 Everton: With nothing to play for, it was always possible that this could be a damp squid despite Everton’s recent goalscoring form. Nikica Jelavic came closest for Everton, but his goal was ruled out for offside when it seemed that he was, in fact, onside. Denis Stracqualursi also thought he had scored in the second half, but his goal was also ruled out as Marouane Fellaini was offside and interfering with play. 

Blackburn 0-1 Wigan: Blackburn are officially relegated whilst Wigan guarantee their own safety with this Monday Night Football result. A draw wouldn't have been enough for Blackburn but the ultimate heartbreak  came with three minutes left, Antolin Alcaraz heading a corner home.

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea: The replay of the FA Cup final couldn't have been any more of a contrast. Despite Branislav Ivanovic hitting the post for Chelsea, Luis Suarez caused Michael Essien to score an own goal on 19-minutes to give Liverpool the lead. A John Terry slip caused Jordan Henderson to make it 2-0 after being one-on-one with Ross Turnbull on 25-minutes. This was followed by a Daniel Agger header from a corner three minutes later to make it 3-0. The remainder of the first half saw Fernando Torres and Stewart Downing hit the crossbar before the Liverpool midfielder missed an injury time penalty, caused by Ivanovic elbowing Andy Carroll in the chest. Ramires made it 3-1 five minutes into the second half before Turnbull played the ball into Jonjo Shelvey's path just after the hour mark. The midfielder was more than happy to score his first Premiership goal by smashing it into the empty net. The result ends Chelsea's hopes of finishing fourth.