Manchester City look set to win their second EPL title in three years today but Liverpool will be hoping West Ham can spoil the Etihad party and hand them a title that they look to have thrown away.
Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage, discuss Sunday’s exciting final day action.
Andy Gray: Some may be hoping there will be one final twist to the season today with West Ham beating Man City and Liverpool winning the title. It’s not impossible, but there is no way, in my mind, that I can see City blowing this. If West Ham needed to get something out of this game to survive then maybe, but their season is over so it seems inconceivable that they could pull off a shock win. They simply aren’t good enough.
I won the league as a player so I know exactly what it’s like when you reach the final game of the season with the title in your hands. These City players will be well prepared, confident and will deliver, particularly as their title dreams looked to be over a few weeks ago when Liverpool were in control.
Having got back in it with good results at Everton and Crystal Palace they will not let this slip. Some of their players might be a little nervous but the likes of Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Joe Hart, Edin Dzeko, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri have all won titles and will carry this side over the line.
Although City only need a draw they will go for the win; they would be foolish to even attempt to play for a point. They have already taken 12 goals off West Ham this season and have only conceded one. We know how doggedly defensive the Hammers can be and they may well approach this game much like Aston Villa did when they went to the Etihad and City struggled to find a breakthrough until the second half. That won’t worry City as long as they stay secure at the back and don’t concede a goal.
If I was Manuel Pellegrini addressing the players before they go out for this match I would say this: “For the first time this season we have the title in our own hands and it’s only for one game. Eighteen teams have come to this ground and you have sent 16 of them packing, playing a brand of football that you love and I love. Same again today will do nicely – on you go.”
I tipped City to win the title before the season started and I never doubted them. Although Liverpool were flying for a while I always thought that having not won a title for 24 years and having a coach and players who, apart from Kolo Toure, have never won a championship there would be uncertainty and naivety cost them in the end, both in the Chelsea and Crystal Palace games. They also conceded too many goals.
Manuel Pellegrini deserves a huge amount of credit for what City have achieved but on the field their most influential player has been Yaya Toure. Twenty goals, umpteen assists, and an awesome driving force in midfield, he has been phenomenal. Had the Player of the Year Award been voted for this week, after the season has ended, then he would have won it. He will be at the centre of everything again today when City wrap up the title with a 3-0 victory.
Richard Keys: As much as I would love to see one final drama I have to agree with Andy. I would have liked to have seen my tip for the title, Chelsea, win it and I would have loved to have seen Liverpool triumph because it would have been a fitting way to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster but it looks like City have it in the bag and they will have deserved it. Having said that, I believe that this is a more of a case of Liverpool throwing the title away, than City being too good for everyone else.
Brendan Rodgers was naive in trying to beat Chelsea. A more street-wise manager would have realised they only needed to take a point from that game. Then, to go three up against Crystal Palace and end up drawing was extraordinary. That was bordering on stupid.
I didn’t think City would win the title and I know those players thought the title had gone after Sunderland drew at the Etihad and then they lost at Liverpool. At that stage they were out of it but Liverpool let them back in. Without that helping hand I don’t think this City side was good enough to win the title, although I have to agree with Andy and say that Yaya Toure has been tremendous.
I don’t understand how it can be that awards are decided before the season is finished. Luis Suarez, who won the Player of the Year, has been terrific but he has not been better than Toure. If City, as expected, get over the line today Yaya, with 20 goals from midfield, and only Frank Lampard has done that, has to be the Player of the Season. It makes no sense to make Suarez Player of the Year two games before the season finishes. Anyway, events have put the title in City’s hands and I think they will beat West Ham, who don’t have enough to spoil the party, 3-1.
Liverpool v Newcastle
AG: Liverpool need to go out, win this and hope there is a shock at the Etihad. Newcastle are poor and are there for the taking. 4-0.
RK: I am sorry that we will probably remember Steven Gerrard’s glorious career for that slip that let Chelsea in but he should at least be able to end the season on a high because Newcastle are awful. 3-0.
Cardiff v Chelsea
AG: Away win written all over it. Cardiff are down and their loan players won’t be interested any more as they prepare to return to their parent clubs. Chelsea will finish their season with a 2-0 victory.
RK: Chelsea have stopped playing and although Cardiff have gone down I think they will have enough to get a 1-1 draw.
Norwich v Arsenal
AG: If Arsene Wenger decides to rest six or seven of his players for the FA Cup final then Norwich might get a draw but otherwise expect the Gunners to win 2-0.
RK: Can’t see Norwich getting anything out of this. I still don’t understand why they sacked Chris Hughton when they did and I am not surprised they have been relegated. 2-0 Arsenal.
Hull v Everton
AG: Hull will also be a little distracted by the FA Cup final so I expect Steve Bruce to rest four or five of his players and because of that Everton will win this 1-0.
RK: Everton have been terrific this season but their hopes of finishing in the top four ended three weeks ago and Hull are now only interested in the FA Cup. 1-1.
Southampton v Manchester United
AG: As we found out against Sunderland, Man United are not quite back to their best and Southampton will ask plenty of questions. This will be an entertaining match so I’m going for a 2-2 draw.
RK: Some of Southampton’s players know they are in the shop window so they are still giving 100 per cent and I am not sure Man United are that interested in sealing a Europa League place. It could prove to be a distraction they don’t need next season. 3-1 home win.
Sunderland v Swansea
AG: It will be party time at the Stadium of Light after their incredible escape from relegation and the players will want to say thank you to the fans. 2-1 home win.
RK: Can’t see anything other than a 2-0 home win but I also think this could be Guy Poyet’s last game in charge of Sunderland. I think Sam Allardyce will be sacked by West Ham who fancy Poyet to take over. Given the chance, he’ll take it.
Tottenham v Aston Villa
AG: Villa are toothless and I can’t see them troubling Tottenham. Tim Sherwood will want to end his brief reign with a win and I think his players will deliver. 3-1.
RK: Villa have nothing to threaten Tottenham so I think Sherwood will enjoy at 3-0 win to sign off at White Hart Lane.
West Brom v Stoke City
AG: West Brom will want to sign off with a win for their fans but while Stoke are not that great away from home I think they can get a draw. 1-1.
RK: I agree with Andy on this. Stoke are poor away from home but they have enough to come away with a draw. 1-1.
Fulham v Crystal Palace
AG: Fulham’s players will be totally deflated after their abysmal performance against Stoke which sealed their relegation. In contrast, the Palace players will be full of it and will win this 2-1 to complete an astonishing job done by Tony Pulis.
RK: Fulham have been awful this season and I hear that Felix Magath intends to keep them training until the end of May. In contrast Palace have been in party mood all week after a sensational finish to their season and they should come away with a 2-0 win.
