Premier League
Final table
SURVIVAL Sunday lived up to its SkySports-hyped billing for once as the Premier League relegation battle went right to the wire.
In the end, Carling Cup winners Birmingham City and, perhaps inevitably, Blackpool were the teams to drop but only after a dramatic and constantly-changing couple of hours.
After a quiet opening in all of the games, Blackburn Rovers struck first against fellow relegation candidates Wolverhampton Wanderers with Jason Roberts getting the goal.
But, at about the same time, Blackpool fell behind to champions Manchester United at Old Trafford, meaning Wolves were still safe.
That had changed by half-time, though, as Charlie Adam curled in a wonderful free-kick to bring the Seasiders level and Wolves conceded another two goals to trail 3-0 at Molineux.
It meant that, as the sides went into break, Wolves were going down with Wigan Athletic who were drawing 0-0 with Stoke City while Blackburn, Blackpool and Birmingham were safe.
There was early drama in the second half, though, as goal-shy Birmingham went 1-0 down against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane thanks to Roman Pavlyuchenko's strike.
The Russian's goal meant that the Blues were heading down with Wigan and that Wolves were off the hook despite their embarrassing first half performance.
Indeed, Blackpool's situation briefly got even better when Gary Taylor-Fletcher gave Ian Holloway's men a 2-1 lead but the leaky Tangerines defence soon gave Anderson too much space to make it 2-2.
A 74th-minute Ian Evatt own goal sent Blackpool tumbling back into the bottom three and spoilsport substitute Michael Owen then made sure of the demotion by scoring a fourth Man United goal.
Brave Blackpool's attempts of staying up were over but, even going into the last 10 minutes of the season, the other place remained undecided.
Wolves had improved their chances of staying up by closing the gap to 3-1 behind against Blackburn after a clever free-kick which allowed Jamie O'Hara to stroke the ball home.
However, their dreadful first half performance still looked like it was going to cost them when Birmingham grabbed an equaliser through Craig Gardner and Hugo Rodallega headed Wigan into the lead at Stoke.
Wigan withstood some late pressure from the Potters and held on to ensure there will be a seventh consecutive season of Premier League football at the DW Stadium next season.
And, then, it all changed between the Midlands clubs. First, Wolves pulled another goal back through a fine Stephen Hunt curler meaning the Molineux club, despite losing, were staying up all of a sudden - above the Blues on goals scored.
Birmingham knew that they had to score themselves but, as their game went into stoppage time and the centre-backs were sent forward on a desperate mission, Spurs applied a sucker punch.
Pavlyuchenko scored his second goal of the game and Birmingham were condemned to the Championship alongside Blackpool and West Ham United.
Wigan had worked some final-day magic once again while Wolves had stayed up despite defeat against Blackburn, who were never in serious trouble.
Rather oddly, of course, Birmingham will be in the Europa League with their conquerors Tottenham after their Carling Cup win in February as they became the first club since Norwich City in 1985 to win a Cup and go down.
The last-day results confirmed that Spurs finished above Liverpool in fifth, having suffered just one defeat in the league at home all season, as the Reds lost 1-0 to Aston Villa.
Above that battle, Manchester City continued their strong finish to the season with a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers to claim third place ahead of Arsenal.
Indeed, Roberto Mancini's FA Cup winners ended the season level on points with runners-up Chelsea after the Blues lost their ninth league game 1-0 at Everton who finished seventh.
That result proved terminal for Carlo Ancelotti who was sacked by owner Roman Abramovich barely an hour after the game had ended.
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, with just two wins in their last 11 league games, only just rescued a point against Fulham thanks to Theo Walcott's late goal in a 2-2 draw.
And the fourth-placed finish for the Gunners means the London club will face a potentially tricky Champions League qualifier early next season.
The Championship
Final table
SWANSEA CITY will take on Reading in the Championship playoff final at Wembley after both clubs won the second leg of their semi finals to progress.
Both first-leg matches - Nottingham Forest v Swansea City and Reading v Cardiff City - had finished 0-0, leaving the two Welsh clubs with a clear advantage.
But, while Swansea coped with the pressure well, Cardiff could not and Dave Jones' men failed in the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Swansea had survived playing the first leg with 10 men for virtually the whole game after Neil Taylor was sent off after 52 seconds.
Brendan Rogers' men seemed to cope quite well with their deficit in numbers in the first half but Billy Davies' Forest applied plenty of pressure after the break.
Their failure to make the breakthrough left Swansea confident that they would be able to win the tie at home in the second leg.
And it was no surprise to see the Swans make a cracking start in front of a lively atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium.
Leon Britton curled a brilliant opener before Stephen Dobbie sprinted past Guy Moussie to fire in a second.
However, the match was a much more even contest than the score suggested. Forest had two penalty appeals turned down and hit the woodwork three times through David McGoldrick, Lewis McGugan and Robbie Earnshaw.
Former Cardiff striker Earnshaw gave Forest the chance of forcing extra time with a goal 10 minutes before the end.
But it was confirmed that the Forest play-off hoodoo - four semi final defeats in four attempts - would continue when Darren Pratley scored from the half-way line with Lee Camp out of his goal.
Pratley's strike brought to an end a pulsating, quite breathtaking game which the other semi final could not match for drama.
After Cardiff had held Reading at home 0-0, the Bluebirds should have been favourites for the tie.
However, a poor late run of form in the season meant confidence was fragile and it took another hit when club captain Craig Bellamy was ruled out of the second leg altogether with a hamstring injury.
The Royals seized on Cardiff uncertainty as Shane Long put the Berkshire club ahead after a mix-up between Kevin McNaughton and his goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.
Long scored a second on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after Dekel Keinan had brought down Matt Mills with a shirt-tug.
And, with Cardiff struggling to make any impact, the tie was sealed in the closing minutes when Jobi McAnuff kept his balance to fire past Bywater after a 30-yard run.
Earlier, in the regular season, Queens Park Rangers had their promotion and league championship confirmed just minutes before their final league match.
Rangers had feared a points deduction after breaching regulations in the 2009 signing of Alejandro Faurlin.
But, after one-day delay in the verdict from the hearing, the FA decided not to take any points away from Neil Warnock's men but to fine them £875,000 instead.
Norwich City will join QPR and either Reading or Swansea in the Premier League next year while Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United and Preston North End were relegated to League One.
League One
Final Table
FREE-SCORING Peterborough United face Huddersfield Town in the League One playoff final at Old Trafford after both clubs scrambled through exciting semi finals.
Posh beat Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 at London Road to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg.
Craig Mackail-Smith scored his 34th goal of the season to add to Grant McCann's early free-kick as Darren Ferguson's men gave themselves a chance of an immediate promotion back to the Championship.
It was a far cry from the first leg at Stadium:mk where the home-side scored three goals in nine minutes at the start of the second-half to take control of the tie.
However, Posh remained in touch in that game thanks to Mackail-Smith's early goal and McCann's late penalty, leaving them only one goal down going into the decisive second-leg.
The second-leg was barely decisive in the other semi final as Lee Clark's Huddersfield and Lee Bradbury's Bournemouth went toe-to-toe until the very end.
After the first leg had finished 1-1, this dramatic tie remained on a knife-edge as two Steve Lovell goals helped the Cherries twice come from behind to force the match into extra time.
Lee Peltier and a Danny Ward penalty had given the Terriers the lead but the west Yorkshire club fell behind for the first time in the tie early in extra time when Danny Ings headed Marc Pugh's inch-perfect cross.
However, Bournemouth's joy was short-lived when Antony Kay replied with another header to make it 3-3 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
Bournemouth were reduced to 10 men before the extra period was finished, Jason Pearce having been shown a straight red for a studs-up challenge, but Huddersfield could not take advantage.
And so, onto penalties which manager Clark had said his Huddersfield team had been practising.
The practice made perfect, so it seems, as the four Terriers players all scored while Bournemouth's Liam Feeney and Anton Robinson missed for the cruelest of exits. Huddersfield, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten league run to 27 games.
Another club who made a cruel exit in the regular season were Dagenham and Redbridge who, despite a tiny budget, still had hopes of survival going into the final day.
However, a 5-0 defeat at Peterborough on the final day ended the Daggers' dream as their hosts racked up their 106th league goal of the season.
Dagenham thus join Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town in League Two with Walsall and Notts County just surviving.
Gus Poyet's Brighton and Hove Albion had of course won the division ahead of second-placed Southampton who also gained automatic promotion.
League Two
Final Table
STEVENAGE have given themselves the chance of winning a second successive promotion in the League Two playoff final against Torquay United at Old Trafford.
The Boro, who won promotion as Blue Square Premier champions last season, have had a brilliant first year as a league club, knocking Newcastle United out of the FA Cup before finishing sixth.
That gave Graham Westley's men a playoff semi final place against Accrington Stanley who are also a fairly recent addition to the Football League.
But Stevenage proved stronger, taking advantage of two Stanley red cards to win the second-leg 1-0 for a 3-0 aggregate victory.
First half goals from Stacy Long and Joel Byrom had given Stevenage their comfortable first leg advantage but Stanley threatened a comeback at the Crown Ground.
That threat was ended once Joe Jacobson was sent off for a challenge on Lawrie Wilson and Sean McConville followed straightaway for an alleged punch.
Accrington's chances in the tie were effectively over and Chris Beardsley's late goal simply confirmed the Boro's progress.
Torquay, who were promoted from the Blue Square Premier themselves as recently as 2009, also enjoyed a relatively comfortable path to the final after a first-leg win against Shrewsbury.
The Gulls won 2-0 at Plainmoor thanks to first-half goals from Chris Zebroski and Eunan O'Kane, and a dominant display deserved even more goals.
The Shrews were well aware of their uphill task in the second leg and could not force an early breakthrough as the tie petered out as a contest.
It was a second disappointment for Shrewsbury in as many weeks after the Salop club only missed out on automatic promotion on the final day despite a 3-0 win over Oxford United.
That was because Wycombe Wanderers had held onto third spot with their own home win - a 3-1 success over Southend United - to join Chesterfield and Bury in League One next season.
But, while that came as no surprise, there was a shock at the other end of the table as Barnet pulled off a great escape.
The Bees won 1-0 at home to Port Vale thanks to Izale McLeod's penalty early in the second half while Lincoln City lost 3-0 against Aldershot at Sincil Bank to be relegated alongside Stockport County.
Blue Square Premier
Final Table
AFC WIMBLEDON reached the Football League just nine years after their formation following a dramatic penalty shootout win over Luton Town.
The Dons and the Hatters had finished in second and third in the final table so it was no surprise that they had beaten Fleetwood Town and Wrexham in the semi finals, respectively.
And, in the final itself at Eastlands, the two teams could not be separated after 120 minutes of action.
Dons' top scorer Danny Kedwell struck the decisive penalty, condemning Luton to a third successive season outside of the Football League.
For Wimbledon, though, this represents perhaps to end of the beginning of their task to regain their place at football's top table.
Their next aim: to get above Milton Keynes Dons - a task made all the more realistic by their rival's failure to progress through the League One playoffs. The two clubs are now just a single division apart.
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Sunday, 9 May 2010
The Season 2009/10 - May: Chelsea are the champions
Premier League
Final Table
CHELSEA produced an imperious display to thrash Wigan Athletic 8-0 at Stamford Bridge and win the Premier League for the first time since 2005-06.
The Blues scored a Premier League record 103 goals to finish on 86 points, one point ahead of defending champions Manchester United, as Carlo Ancelotti won the title in his first season in charge.
Having hit seven goals at home three times already this season against Aston Villa, Sunderland and Stoke City, Wigan were always likely to suffer at the Bridge.
In a game that meant nothing to the Latics and everything to Chelsea, Ancelotti's men set about ripping their opponent's notoriously leaky defence to shreds from first whistle to last.
Drogba hit a hat-trick to win the golden boot with 29 league goals for the season. Nicolas Anelka scored twice and there was one goal each for Frank Lampard, Sebastian Kalou and Ashley Cole in the rout.
Chelsea's emphatic triumph rendered United's own fine 4-0 win against Stoke City at Old Trafford irrelevant.
Despite goals from Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Ji-Sung Park and another own goal, Sir Alex Ferguson's men had to settle for second place.
It meant United failed to win what would have been an English record of four successive titles and that they remain on 18 English league championships, still level with Liverpool.
Arsenal also won 4-0 to confirm their third-place finish against a Fulham side with more than one eye on their Europa League final against Athletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Andrei Arshavin, Robin van Persie, an own goal, and Carlos Vela ensured the Gunners ended the season at the Emirates on a high note.
Victory over the Cottagers also brought to an end a late-season slump which had seen Arsene Wenger's side take just one point from the previous 12 and which gave Tottenham Hotspur a sniff of third.
Spurs had beaten Manchester City 1-0 away in midweek to reach the Champions League qualifying round but disappointed on the final day in a 4-2 loss at already-relegated Burnley.
City had to settle for fifth place and the Europa League, ending the season with a timid 1-1 draw at West Ham United. That meant the season ended with just one win in five for Roberto Mancini's men.
And Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa also completed their season on a disappointing note, despite securing another top-six finish.
Villa lost for a second successive week, with the 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers following last week's 3-1 reverse at Manchester City, leaving O'Neill's future in some doubt.
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez's days at Liverpool must surely be numbered after a desperate 0-0 draw at Hull City summed up a wretched season for the Reds.
It left Liverpool in seventh with just five wins from 19 away league matches, and eight losses. Anfield also bore witness to three home defeats against Chelsea, Arsenal and Villa.
Everton ended in eighth place after a final-day 1-0 win over Cup finalists Portsmouth, whose nine-point deduction left them a long way short of safety.
Since their semi final win over Spurs, Pompey have won just once in the league - against Wolverhampton Wanderers - and their final day defeat left them on just 19 points, 16 adrift of safety.
Despite slightly better results on the final day, both Burnley and Hull struggled over the past nine months to compete in the top division, managing only 30 points apiece.
Burnley finished above Hull, courtesy of one goal, but their woeful form meant only 31 points were required to stay in the Premier League this season, a record low.
The relegation places had been decided long before the final day, giving a stay of execution to West Ham who finished fourth-bottom on 35 points and Wigan who were 16th on 36 points despite conceding 79 goals.
Wolves, in 15th on 38 points, and Bolton Wanderers, in 14th on 39 points, also just failed to reach the 40-point mark.
The Championship
Final Table
CRYSTAL PALACE gained a point in final day thriller against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in a 2-2 draw which relegated the Owls.
Palace, who began the day two points ahead of Wednesday, further strengthened their position by taking the lead through Alan Lee on 24 minutes.
Alan Irvine's Owls responded and got a deserved equaliser before half time when Leon Clarke curled the ball around Palace keeper Julian Speroni.
Wednesday continued to dominate after the interval but left Darren Ambrose unmarked for an easy goal for 2-1 after a brilliant break by Dean Scanell.
Darren Purse set up a grandstand finish with a second equaliser with three minutes plus five stoppage-time minutes remaining.
But the Eagles were able to close out the game and secure Championship status, so long as the club survives off the pitch.
Palace had only got into relegation trouble after a 10-point deduction for entering administration and the Eagles survived in the end on 49 points.
Wednesday finished on 47 points, despite a brief resurgence in January, and they will join already-relegated Plymouth Argyle and Peterborough United in League One next season.
Peterborough won 2-1 at Plymouth on the final day but the Pilgrims, on 41 points, still finished above Posh, who were bottom on 34.
The only other issue to be decided on the final day was the identity of the team who would take the final playoff spot with Blackpool and Swansea City competing for one place.
Nerves seemed to get the better of both sides and Blackpool fell behind at home against Bristol City to give the Swans real hope.
But, despite their relatively lofty position, Paulo Sousa's men were the lowest scorers in the division and could not find a goal in a 0-0 draw at home against Doncaster Rovers.
Ian Holloway's Blackpool came back to get a point against Bristol City and that was enough to secure sixth place and a playoff semi final meeting with Nottingham Forest who they have been twice already.
Forest finished the season in third, some way short of promoted pair Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion in the end, after a collapse in their away form.
A 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe United on the final day of the regular season made it nine matches in a row without a win on the road, hardly the best form to be taking into the playoffs.
Fourth-placed Cardiff City have better form, going 10 matches unbeaten before a final day 2-0 defeat at Derby County.
But it is the Bluebirds' playoff opponents Leicester City who have the most momentum after a routine 2-0 home success over Middlesbrough made it five wins in a row for the Foxes.
League One
Final Table
LEEDS UNITED finally escaped League One after a dramatic final day win over Bristol Rovers at Elland Road secured the second automatic promotion spot.
Ten-man United came from behind to beat Rovers 2-1 with goals from Jonathan Howson and Jermaine Beckford cancelling out Darryl Duffy's opener.
The win brings to an end Leeds' three-year stay in the third tier but, looking back, it should have been much easier than this.
Simon Grayson's men had led the division by eight points with a game in hand before their famous FA Cup win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But the Cup run proved to be a distraction and Norwich City overhauled Leeds' advantage to finish nine points clear at the top.
It got worse for Leeds when a whole host of other teams also caught them up though none of them could overcome the jitters to pull away.
It meant that any one of five teams - Leeds, Millwall, Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town - could take the second automatic promotion spot on the final day.
Third-placed Millwall beat fifth-placed Swindon 3-2 in a dramatic game at the Den and, at one stage, the Lions were in the promotion spot with Leeds behind.
But Leeds' comeback scuppered their bid and that of Charlton Athletic who overtook Swindon to finish fourth after a 2-0 win at Oldham Athletic.
Huddersfield only ever had an outside chance and were relying on all the results going in their favour.
But the Terriers could not even win their own match as Exeter City beat them 2-1 at St James's Park to haul themselves out the drop zone and secure League One safety on the final day.
Indeed, the bottom end of the division was no less dramatic than the top and Gillingham paid the price for failing to win away from the Priestfield Stadium all season.
A terrible final day 3-0 loss at Wycombe Wanderers meant the Gills dropped three places from 18th to 21st, joining Wycombe, Southend United and Stockport County in the basement division next season.
In addition to Exeter, Hartlepool United and Tranmere Rovers were the other beneficiaries of Gillingham's plunge.
Pools had only been put in a trouble after losing three points for fielding an ineligible player and a 0-0 draw at Brentford was enough to secure League One football at Victoria Park for 2010-11.
Tranmere's season had been wrecked by their terrible start under John Barnes but the Prenton Park club improved as the campaign went on and ensured survival with an easy 3-0 win over rock-bottom Stockport.
League Two
Final Table
GRIMSBY TOWN failed to pull off a great escape, losing their league status after a 99-year stay following a 3-0 loss at Burton Albion.
The Mariners had given themselves a chance of an unlikely escape after a 2-0 home win against third-bottom Barnet last week made it four wins and a draw from six games.
But Neil Woods' men, who went 25 matches without a win between September and March, reverted to type and two first half goals turned the final day into a damp squib.
Barnet got an impressive home win against promoted Rochdale while Cheltenham Town showed they always had just enough to avoid a second successive relegation in a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley.
Meanwhile, in the Grimsby match, the mid-table Brewers added a third goal in the second period to confirm the Mariners will join Darlington in the Blue Square Premier next season.
The Quakers' fate had long since been decided and a 2-0 home loss to Dagenham & Redbridge left them on just 30 points, 18 adrift of safety.
That win was enough to put the Daggers in the playoffs in a dramatic scramble for the four places which involved most of the top half.
Like Darlington's demotion, the automatic promotion places had already been decided before the final day with a series of thumping wins giving Notts County a deserved title win.
Rochdale won a first promotion for 41 years and 32-year-old manager Eddie Howe achieved success against the odds at Bournemouth.
But none of teams below them was assured of a playoff spot going into a dramatic last day.
In the end, Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe took fourth place after a 1-0 win over Aldershot made it seven wins out of nine.
Despite that loss, Aldershot took sixth place with Bury and Port Vale missing out after draws against Northampton Town and managerless Shrewsbury Town.
Sandwiched in between Morecambe and Aldershot were Rotherham United in a fifth-place finish.
That is a little disappointing for the Millers who led the league in its early stages this season and remained in with a chance of automatic promotion until a collapse in late-March.
But Ronnie Moore's men could still go up. They face Aldershot in one playoff tie with Morecambe and Dagenham & Redbridge in the other.
Blue Square Premier
Final Table
OXFORD UNITED and York City will meet at Wembley next Sunday in the final of the Blue Square playoffs as both clubs look to return to the Football League.
Oxford beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-0 for a 3-1 aggregate win to reach a Wembley final for the first time since their 1986 league cup win.
The Us became the first English team to have won a major trophy and fallen out of the League in 2006 but victory over York would end four years of Conference football.
Although they finished eight points behind in the final league standings, York will be no push-overs after two hard-fought 1-0 wins over favourites Luton Town secured a 2-0 aggregate victory.
The second match at Kenilworth Road was marred by a pitch invasion by the Luton fans which turned into a violent attack on the York players who had to run for cover in the stands.
But that nightmare end to the Bank Holiday Monday afternoon could all be forgotten if the Minstermen win back the league status which they lost in 2004.
The regular season had ended with Stevenage Borough 11 points clear at the top - a deserved championship for the club who will play in the Football League for the first time in August.
But Boro were unable to complete a non-league double after a surprise 2-1 defeat in extra time against Barrow in the FA Trophy at Wembley.
At the bottom, Ebbsfleet United suffered final day heartache, going down despite a 4-3 win at Tamworth Town.
Forest Green Rovers were also relegated but they can have few complaints, having blown the chance for survival by being beaten by rock-bottom Grays Athletic.
That allowed Gateshead to survive by a margin of just three goals after a tense 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Blue Square Premier status was vital for the Tynesiders who will turn full time this summer in a bid to avoid a second season of struggle.
Eastbourne Borough and Histon also survived on the last day - Eastbourne beat Oxford 1-0 at home, while Histon did enough with a 2-2 home draw against Barrow.
Joining those clubs in the Blue Square Premier next season are Southport and Fleetwood who won promotion from the Blue Square North, and Newport County and Bath City who went up from the Blue Square South.
Final Table
CHELSEA produced an imperious display to thrash Wigan Athletic 8-0 at Stamford Bridge and win the Premier League for the first time since 2005-06.
The Blues scored a Premier League record 103 goals to finish on 86 points, one point ahead of defending champions Manchester United, as Carlo Ancelotti won the title in his first season in charge.
Having hit seven goals at home three times already this season against Aston Villa, Sunderland and Stoke City, Wigan were always likely to suffer at the Bridge.
In a game that meant nothing to the Latics and everything to Chelsea, Ancelotti's men set about ripping their opponent's notoriously leaky defence to shreds from first whistle to last.
Drogba hit a hat-trick to win the golden boot with 29 league goals for the season. Nicolas Anelka scored twice and there was one goal each for Frank Lampard, Sebastian Kalou and Ashley Cole in the rout.
Chelsea's emphatic triumph rendered United's own fine 4-0 win against Stoke City at Old Trafford irrelevant.
Despite goals from Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Ji-Sung Park and another own goal, Sir Alex Ferguson's men had to settle for second place.
It meant United failed to win what would have been an English record of four successive titles and that they remain on 18 English league championships, still level with Liverpool.
Arsenal also won 4-0 to confirm their third-place finish against a Fulham side with more than one eye on their Europa League final against Athletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Andrei Arshavin, Robin van Persie, an own goal, and Carlos Vela ensured the Gunners ended the season at the Emirates on a high note.
Victory over the Cottagers also brought to an end a late-season slump which had seen Arsene Wenger's side take just one point from the previous 12 and which gave Tottenham Hotspur a sniff of third.
Spurs had beaten Manchester City 1-0 away in midweek to reach the Champions League qualifying round but disappointed on the final day in a 4-2 loss at already-relegated Burnley.
City had to settle for fifth place and the Europa League, ending the season with a timid 1-1 draw at West Ham United. That meant the season ended with just one win in five for Roberto Mancini's men.
And Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa also completed their season on a disappointing note, despite securing another top-six finish.
Villa lost for a second successive week, with the 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers following last week's 3-1 reverse at Manchester City, leaving O'Neill's future in some doubt.
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez's days at Liverpool must surely be numbered after a desperate 0-0 draw at Hull City summed up a wretched season for the Reds.
It left Liverpool in seventh with just five wins from 19 away league matches, and eight losses. Anfield also bore witness to three home defeats against Chelsea, Arsenal and Villa.
Everton ended in eighth place after a final-day 1-0 win over Cup finalists Portsmouth, whose nine-point deduction left them a long way short of safety.
Since their semi final win over Spurs, Pompey have won just once in the league - against Wolverhampton Wanderers - and their final day defeat left them on just 19 points, 16 adrift of safety.
Despite slightly better results on the final day, both Burnley and Hull struggled over the past nine months to compete in the top division, managing only 30 points apiece.
Burnley finished above Hull, courtesy of one goal, but their woeful form meant only 31 points were required to stay in the Premier League this season, a record low.
The relegation places had been decided long before the final day, giving a stay of execution to West Ham who finished fourth-bottom on 35 points and Wigan who were 16th on 36 points despite conceding 79 goals.
Wolves, in 15th on 38 points, and Bolton Wanderers, in 14th on 39 points, also just failed to reach the 40-point mark.
The Championship
Final Table
CRYSTAL PALACE gained a point in final day thriller against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in a 2-2 draw which relegated the Owls.
Palace, who began the day two points ahead of Wednesday, further strengthened their position by taking the lead through Alan Lee on 24 minutes.
Alan Irvine's Owls responded and got a deserved equaliser before half time when Leon Clarke curled the ball around Palace keeper Julian Speroni.
Wednesday continued to dominate after the interval but left Darren Ambrose unmarked for an easy goal for 2-1 after a brilliant break by Dean Scanell.
Darren Purse set up a grandstand finish with a second equaliser with three minutes plus five stoppage-time minutes remaining.
But the Eagles were able to close out the game and secure Championship status, so long as the club survives off the pitch.
Palace had only got into relegation trouble after a 10-point deduction for entering administration and the Eagles survived in the end on 49 points.
Wednesday finished on 47 points, despite a brief resurgence in January, and they will join already-relegated Plymouth Argyle and Peterborough United in League One next season.
Peterborough won 2-1 at Plymouth on the final day but the Pilgrims, on 41 points, still finished above Posh, who were bottom on 34.
The only other issue to be decided on the final day was the identity of the team who would take the final playoff spot with Blackpool and Swansea City competing for one place.
Nerves seemed to get the better of both sides and Blackpool fell behind at home against Bristol City to give the Swans real hope.
But, despite their relatively lofty position, Paulo Sousa's men were the lowest scorers in the division and could not find a goal in a 0-0 draw at home against Doncaster Rovers.
Ian Holloway's Blackpool came back to get a point against Bristol City and that was enough to secure sixth place and a playoff semi final meeting with Nottingham Forest who they have been twice already.
Forest finished the season in third, some way short of promoted pair Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion in the end, after a collapse in their away form.
A 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe United on the final day of the regular season made it nine matches in a row without a win on the road, hardly the best form to be taking into the playoffs.
Fourth-placed Cardiff City have better form, going 10 matches unbeaten before a final day 2-0 defeat at Derby County.
But it is the Bluebirds' playoff opponents Leicester City who have the most momentum after a routine 2-0 home success over Middlesbrough made it five wins in a row for the Foxes.
League One
Final Table
LEEDS UNITED finally escaped League One after a dramatic final day win over Bristol Rovers at Elland Road secured the second automatic promotion spot.
Ten-man United came from behind to beat Rovers 2-1 with goals from Jonathan Howson and Jermaine Beckford cancelling out Darryl Duffy's opener.
The win brings to an end Leeds' three-year stay in the third tier but, looking back, it should have been much easier than this.
Simon Grayson's men had led the division by eight points with a game in hand before their famous FA Cup win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
But the Cup run proved to be a distraction and Norwich City overhauled Leeds' advantage to finish nine points clear at the top.
It got worse for Leeds when a whole host of other teams also caught them up though none of them could overcome the jitters to pull away.
It meant that any one of five teams - Leeds, Millwall, Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town - could take the second automatic promotion spot on the final day.
Third-placed Millwall beat fifth-placed Swindon 3-2 in a dramatic game at the Den and, at one stage, the Lions were in the promotion spot with Leeds behind.
But Leeds' comeback scuppered their bid and that of Charlton Athletic who overtook Swindon to finish fourth after a 2-0 win at Oldham Athletic.
Huddersfield only ever had an outside chance and were relying on all the results going in their favour.
But the Terriers could not even win their own match as Exeter City beat them 2-1 at St James's Park to haul themselves out the drop zone and secure League One safety on the final day.
Indeed, the bottom end of the division was no less dramatic than the top and Gillingham paid the price for failing to win away from the Priestfield Stadium all season.
A terrible final day 3-0 loss at Wycombe Wanderers meant the Gills dropped three places from 18th to 21st, joining Wycombe, Southend United and Stockport County in the basement division next season.
In addition to Exeter, Hartlepool United and Tranmere Rovers were the other beneficiaries of Gillingham's plunge.
Pools had only been put in a trouble after losing three points for fielding an ineligible player and a 0-0 draw at Brentford was enough to secure League One football at Victoria Park for 2010-11.
Tranmere's season had been wrecked by their terrible start under John Barnes but the Prenton Park club improved as the campaign went on and ensured survival with an easy 3-0 win over rock-bottom Stockport.
League Two
Final Table
GRIMSBY TOWN failed to pull off a great escape, losing their league status after a 99-year stay following a 3-0 loss at Burton Albion.
The Mariners had given themselves a chance of an unlikely escape after a 2-0 home win against third-bottom Barnet last week made it four wins and a draw from six games.
But Neil Woods' men, who went 25 matches without a win between September and March, reverted to type and two first half goals turned the final day into a damp squib.
Barnet got an impressive home win against promoted Rochdale while Cheltenham Town showed they always had just enough to avoid a second successive relegation in a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley.
Meanwhile, in the Grimsby match, the mid-table Brewers added a third goal in the second period to confirm the Mariners will join Darlington in the Blue Square Premier next season.
The Quakers' fate had long since been decided and a 2-0 home loss to Dagenham & Redbridge left them on just 30 points, 18 adrift of safety.
That win was enough to put the Daggers in the playoffs in a dramatic scramble for the four places which involved most of the top half.
Like Darlington's demotion, the automatic promotion places had already been decided before the final day with a series of thumping wins giving Notts County a deserved title win.
Rochdale won a first promotion for 41 years and 32-year-old manager Eddie Howe achieved success against the odds at Bournemouth.
But none of teams below them was assured of a playoff spot going into a dramatic last day.
In the end, Sammy McIlroy's Morecambe took fourth place after a 1-0 win over Aldershot made it seven wins out of nine.
Despite that loss, Aldershot took sixth place with Bury and Port Vale missing out after draws against Northampton Town and managerless Shrewsbury Town.
Sandwiched in between Morecambe and Aldershot were Rotherham United in a fifth-place finish.
That is a little disappointing for the Millers who led the league in its early stages this season and remained in with a chance of automatic promotion until a collapse in late-March.
But Ronnie Moore's men could still go up. They face Aldershot in one playoff tie with Morecambe and Dagenham & Redbridge in the other.
Blue Square Premier
Final Table
OXFORD UNITED and York City will meet at Wembley next Sunday in the final of the Blue Square playoffs as both clubs look to return to the Football League.
Oxford beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-0 for a 3-1 aggregate win to reach a Wembley final for the first time since their 1986 league cup win.
The Us became the first English team to have won a major trophy and fallen out of the League in 2006 but victory over York would end four years of Conference football.
Although they finished eight points behind in the final league standings, York will be no push-overs after two hard-fought 1-0 wins over favourites Luton Town secured a 2-0 aggregate victory.
The second match at Kenilworth Road was marred by a pitch invasion by the Luton fans which turned into a violent attack on the York players who had to run for cover in the stands.
But that nightmare end to the Bank Holiday Monday afternoon could all be forgotten if the Minstermen win back the league status which they lost in 2004.
The regular season had ended with Stevenage Borough 11 points clear at the top - a deserved championship for the club who will play in the Football League for the first time in August.
But Boro were unable to complete a non-league double after a surprise 2-1 defeat in extra time against Barrow in the FA Trophy at Wembley.
At the bottom, Ebbsfleet United suffered final day heartache, going down despite a 4-3 win at Tamworth Town.
Forest Green Rovers were also relegated but they can have few complaints, having blown the chance for survival by being beaten by rock-bottom Grays Athletic.
That allowed Gateshead to survive by a margin of just three goals after a tense 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Blue Square Premier status was vital for the Tynesiders who will turn full time this summer in a bid to avoid a second season of struggle.
Eastbourne Borough and Histon also survived on the last day - Eastbourne beat Oxford 1-0 at home, while Histon did enough with a 2-2 home draw against Barrow.
Joining those clubs in the Blue Square Premier next season are Southport and Fleetwood who won promotion from the Blue Square North, and Newport County and Bath City who went up from the Blue Square South.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The Playoff Preview
With the drama (or should that be 'drama queen' in the case of Didier Drogba) of the Champions League semi finals finished, the next raw excitement in football comes in the form of the league playoffs.
League Two
The playoffs kick off in League Two tonight (Thursday) with Rochdale (6th) v Gillingham (5th) and Shrewsbury Town (7th) v Bury (4th). The second legs are on Sunday.
Rochdale and Gillingham faced each other at Spotland as recently as the final weekend of the season in a match which the Gills won.
But it is hard to tell how much can be read into that result as both managers are expected to select significantly different teams tonight.
What the result did manage to do is extend Gillingham's unbeaten run to four matches which contrasts sharply with Rochdale who staggered over the line with five points from their last six games.
And, only two years ago, Gillingham were playing in The Championship while Rochdale have not been promoted in over 30 years.
Prediction: Gillingham win
Earlier this season: 25/11/08 Gillingham 1-1 Rochdale, 02/05/09 Rochdale 0-1 Gillingham
Rochdale form (last six games): LDLDWL
Gillingham form (last six games): WDWWLL
Rochdale finished 5th with 70 points and 70 goals for, 59 goals conceded
Gillingham finished 4th with 75 points and 58 goals for, 55 goals conceded
Bury may struggle recover from the heartbreak of finishing outside the automatic promotion spots by a single goal as they prepare to face Shrewsbury Town.
Their final day woe was in contrast to the Shrews who made the playoffs by overhauling Dagenham & Redbridge in a winner-takes-all match.
At least Bury can console themselves that they will go into the playoffs on the back of a final day win and a 12-match unbeaten run which featured a 2-1 home win over the Shrews.
But that was Shrewsbury's only loss in their last 12 matches and they enjoyed a home win over Bury back in December.
Indeed, the Shrews enjoyed the best home record in the whole of League Two.
Prediction: Shrewsbury Town win
Earlier this season: 28/12/08 Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Bury, 10/04/09 Bury 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town form (last six games): WDWDLD
Bury form (last six games): WDWDWD
Shrewsbury Town finished 7th with 69 points and 61 goals for, 44 conceded
Bury finished 4th with 78 points and 63 goals for, 43 goals conceded
League One
The fight for the final promotion spot the Championship begins on Friday night with Scunthorpe United (6th) v MK Dons (3rd) and continue on Saturday with Millwall (5th) v Leeds United (4th).
At one stage, MK Dons looked as if they would get second place behind runaway leaders Leicester City.
But a series of draws in February and March proved costly and meant they were overhauled by Peterborough United.
Scunthorpe United are just glad they made it into the playoffs, securing a 1-1 draw on the last day against nearest rivals Tranmere Rovers to make sure of their place.
The Dons finished the season with six wins from their last seven and beat Scunthorpe 1-0 at Glanford Park in April.
But the Iron had beaten the Dons on their home patch 2-0 in December and lost just one of their last six matches.
Prediction: MK Dons win
Earlier this season: 06/12/08 MK Dons 0-2 Scunthorpe United, 18/04/09 Scunthorpe United 0-1 MK Dons
Scunthorpe United form (last six games): DWDDLW
MK Dons form (last six games): WWLWWW
Scunthorpe United finished 6th with 76 points and 86 goals for, 67 goals conceded
MK Dons finished 3rd with 87 points and 83 goals for, 47 goals conceded
Leeds United are favourites to beat Millwall in what is possibly the most highly anticipated League One playoff match in history.
United finished the season strongly with four wins in their last five matches to secure a playoff place which had looked doubtful under previous manager Gary McAllister.
Former Blackpool boss Simon Grayson came in at Christmas and turned United's fortunes around, including a 2-0 home win over Millwall in February.
That was revenge for a 3-1 loss to the Lions at the New Den in October and the London club will be hoping Leeds crack under pressure again.
But, with four wins and four losses in their last eight matches, Millwall are inconsistent.
Prediction: Leeds United win
Earlier this season: 18/10/08 Millwall 3-1 Leeds United, 09/02/09 Leeds United 2-0 Millwall
Millwall form (last six games): LWLWLW
Leeds United form (last six games): WWWLWD
Millwall finished 5th with 82 points and 63 goals for, 53 goals conceded
Leeds United finished 4th with 84 points and 77 goals for, 49 goals conceded
The Championship
Aiming to reach the promised land of the Premier League, the two playoff semi finals in the Championship are Preston North End (6th) v Sheffield United (3rd) on Friday and Burnley (5th) v Reading (4th) on Saturday. Return legs on Monday and Tuesday.
Sheffield United made a valiant effort in trying to steal the final playoff spot from Birmingham City and enjoyed some impressive form in the second half of the season.
But the goals dried up towards the end and a 0-0 draw on the last day to Crystal Palace was never likely to be enough to stop the Blues.
And so the Blades require a playoff victory to regain the place which many of their fans still feel was robbed of them when they were relegated two seasons ago.
United will take on Preston from whom they have taken four points without conceding a goal in the regular season.
Preston's qualification is surprising and relied on an uncharacteristic late surge of form and a collapse by Cardiff City.
The Lilywhites, who have never played in the Premier League, finished above the Welsh club courtesy of having scored one more goal after both had the same points and same goal difference.
But it was never going to be a possibility until Preston beat Cardiff 6-0 with three matches left.
And so, Preston, who normally find themselves in the Cardiff position of having just missed out, will be dangerous opponents for the Blades having finished on four successive wins - especially with the Blades problems in front of goal.
Prediction: Sheffield United win
Earlier this season: 25/10/08 Sheffield United 1-0 Preston North End, 31/01/09 Preston North End 0-0 Sheffield United
Preston North End form (last six games): WWWWLD
Sheffield United form (last six games): DWLDWW
Preston North End finished 6th with 74 points and 66 goals for, 54 goals conceded
Sheffield United finished 3rd with 80 points and 64 goals for, 39 goals conceded
Reading's failure to secure automatic promotion can be laid firmly at their own front door as they recorded a miserable three points from their last eight home games.
The Royals were considered to play the best football in the division at times and their goals record backs this up but they should be wary of a dangerous Burnley side.
The two clubs met in the space of a month back in October, each enjoying a home win.
But the Clarets will now have to hope that their players can draw on their energy reserves as they head into the 59th and 60th matches of the season.
Burnley enjoyed cup runs in both domestic competitions, reaching the semi finals of the League Cup and the fifth round of the FA Cup.
And with the playoff semi finals akin to two-legged cup ties, the Lancastrians will trust themselves to have the nerve to get to the Premier League for the first time.
Burnley head into the tie on the back of a fine 4-0 home win against Bristol City while Reading suffered another home loss against Birmingham which finally killed off any automatic promotion hopes.
Prediction: Burnley win
Earlier this season: 04/10/08 Reading 3-1 Burnley, 28/10/08 Burnley 1-0 Reading
Burnley form (last six games): WDWLWD
Reading form (last six games): LWWDLL
Burnley finished 5th with 74 points and 72 goals for, 60 goals conceded
Reading finished 4th with 77 points and 72 goals for, 40 goals conceded
League Two
The playoffs kick off in League Two tonight (Thursday) with Rochdale (6th) v Gillingham (5th) and Shrewsbury Town (7th) v Bury (4th). The second legs are on Sunday.
Rochdale and Gillingham faced each other at Spotland as recently as the final weekend of the season in a match which the Gills won.
But it is hard to tell how much can be read into that result as both managers are expected to select significantly different teams tonight.
What the result did manage to do is extend Gillingham's unbeaten run to four matches which contrasts sharply with Rochdale who staggered over the line with five points from their last six games.
And, only two years ago, Gillingham were playing in The Championship while Rochdale have not been promoted in over 30 years.
Prediction: Gillingham win
Earlier this season: 25/11/08 Gillingham 1-1 Rochdale, 02/05/09 Rochdale 0-1 Gillingham
Rochdale form (last six games): LDLDWL
Gillingham form (last six games): WDWWLL
Rochdale finished 5th with 70 points and 70 goals for, 59 goals conceded
Gillingham finished 4th with 75 points and 58 goals for, 55 goals conceded
Bury may struggle recover from the heartbreak of finishing outside the automatic promotion spots by a single goal as they prepare to face Shrewsbury Town.
Their final day woe was in contrast to the Shrews who made the playoffs by overhauling Dagenham & Redbridge in a winner-takes-all match.
At least Bury can console themselves that they will go into the playoffs on the back of a final day win and a 12-match unbeaten run which featured a 2-1 home win over the Shrews.
But that was Shrewsbury's only loss in their last 12 matches and they enjoyed a home win over Bury back in December.
Indeed, the Shrews enjoyed the best home record in the whole of League Two.
Prediction: Shrewsbury Town win
Earlier this season: 28/12/08 Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Bury, 10/04/09 Bury 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town form (last six games): WDWDLD
Bury form (last six games): WDWDWD
Shrewsbury Town finished 7th with 69 points and 61 goals for, 44 conceded
Bury finished 4th with 78 points and 63 goals for, 43 goals conceded
League One
The fight for the final promotion spot the Championship begins on Friday night with Scunthorpe United (6th) v MK Dons (3rd) and continue on Saturday with Millwall (5th) v Leeds United (4th).
At one stage, MK Dons looked as if they would get second place behind runaway leaders Leicester City.
But a series of draws in February and March proved costly and meant they were overhauled by Peterborough United.
Scunthorpe United are just glad they made it into the playoffs, securing a 1-1 draw on the last day against nearest rivals Tranmere Rovers to make sure of their place.
The Dons finished the season with six wins from their last seven and beat Scunthorpe 1-0 at Glanford Park in April.
But the Iron had beaten the Dons on their home patch 2-0 in December and lost just one of their last six matches.
Prediction: MK Dons win
Earlier this season: 06/12/08 MK Dons 0-2 Scunthorpe United, 18/04/09 Scunthorpe United 0-1 MK Dons
Scunthorpe United form (last six games): DWDDLW
MK Dons form (last six games): WWLWWW
Scunthorpe United finished 6th with 76 points and 86 goals for, 67 goals conceded
MK Dons finished 3rd with 87 points and 83 goals for, 47 goals conceded
Leeds United are favourites to beat Millwall in what is possibly the most highly anticipated League One playoff match in history.
United finished the season strongly with four wins in their last five matches to secure a playoff place which had looked doubtful under previous manager Gary McAllister.
Former Blackpool boss Simon Grayson came in at Christmas and turned United's fortunes around, including a 2-0 home win over Millwall in February.
That was revenge for a 3-1 loss to the Lions at the New Den in October and the London club will be hoping Leeds crack under pressure again.
But, with four wins and four losses in their last eight matches, Millwall are inconsistent.
Prediction: Leeds United win
Earlier this season: 18/10/08 Millwall 3-1 Leeds United, 09/02/09 Leeds United 2-0 Millwall
Millwall form (last six games): LWLWLW
Leeds United form (last six games): WWWLWD
Millwall finished 5th with 82 points and 63 goals for, 53 goals conceded
Leeds United finished 4th with 84 points and 77 goals for, 49 goals conceded
The Championship
Aiming to reach the promised land of the Premier League, the two playoff semi finals in the Championship are Preston North End (6th) v Sheffield United (3rd) on Friday and Burnley (5th) v Reading (4th) on Saturday. Return legs on Monday and Tuesday.
Sheffield United made a valiant effort in trying to steal the final playoff spot from Birmingham City and enjoyed some impressive form in the second half of the season.
But the goals dried up towards the end and a 0-0 draw on the last day to Crystal Palace was never likely to be enough to stop the Blues.
And so the Blades require a playoff victory to regain the place which many of their fans still feel was robbed of them when they were relegated two seasons ago.
United will take on Preston from whom they have taken four points without conceding a goal in the regular season.
Preston's qualification is surprising and relied on an uncharacteristic late surge of form and a collapse by Cardiff City.
The Lilywhites, who have never played in the Premier League, finished above the Welsh club courtesy of having scored one more goal after both had the same points and same goal difference.
But it was never going to be a possibility until Preston beat Cardiff 6-0 with three matches left.
And so, Preston, who normally find themselves in the Cardiff position of having just missed out, will be dangerous opponents for the Blades having finished on four successive wins - especially with the Blades problems in front of goal.
Prediction: Sheffield United win
Earlier this season: 25/10/08 Sheffield United 1-0 Preston North End, 31/01/09 Preston North End 0-0 Sheffield United
Preston North End form (last six games): WWWWLD
Sheffield United form (last six games): DWLDWW
Preston North End finished 6th with 74 points and 66 goals for, 54 goals conceded
Sheffield United finished 3rd with 80 points and 64 goals for, 39 goals conceded
Reading's failure to secure automatic promotion can be laid firmly at their own front door as they recorded a miserable three points from their last eight home games.
The Royals were considered to play the best football in the division at times and their goals record backs this up but they should be wary of a dangerous Burnley side.
The two clubs met in the space of a month back in October, each enjoying a home win.
But the Clarets will now have to hope that their players can draw on their energy reserves as they head into the 59th and 60th matches of the season.
Burnley enjoyed cup runs in both domestic competitions, reaching the semi finals of the League Cup and the fifth round of the FA Cup.
And with the playoff semi finals akin to two-legged cup ties, the Lancastrians will trust themselves to have the nerve to get to the Premier League for the first time.
Burnley head into the tie on the back of a fine 4-0 home win against Bristol City while Reading suffered another home loss against Birmingham which finally killed off any automatic promotion hopes.
Prediction: Burnley win
Earlier this season: 04/10/08 Reading 3-1 Burnley, 28/10/08 Burnley 1-0 Reading
Burnley form (last six games): WDWLWD
Reading form (last six games): LWWDLL
Burnley finished 5th with 74 points and 72 goals for, 60 goals conceded
Reading finished 4th with 77 points and 72 goals for, 40 goals conceded
Friday, 3 April 2009
And they're off - Sports Preview - April 3-5
Horse Racing
The world's most famous steeplechase will be run at Aintree Racecourse for the 162nd time on Saturday.
The talk in the Paddock is whether Comply or Die (16-1) can become the first horse since Red Rum to win two Nationals.
But the favourite over the 33 fences and 4m 4f course is My Will (7-1) as jockey Ruby Walsh seeks his third National success after winning on Papillon (2002) and Hedgehunter (2005).
For most casual punters, like myself, it's the equivalent case of sticking a pin on the page of the newspaper while blindfolded.
But one horse I will have to go for is Fleet Street, even if it is a 66-1 shot and even though there are no newspapers left in that area of London.
The beauty of the National, of course, is that it might be the only one left in the running.
The race starts at 4.15pm, in the middle of the second half of the Saturday 3pm football kick-offs...
Premier League football
Alan Shearer makes his return to Newcastle United as temporary manager with eight games left.
That starts on Saturday against third-placed Chelsea who are four points behind leaders Manchester United having played a match more.
Newcastle start the weekend in a perilous position in 18th on 29 points but Shearer insists his role is only on a temporary basis.
He said: "I'm definitely only here for eight weeks and that's all I'm concentrating on."
In the chase for the title, Liverpool could regain the lead if they succeed at Craven Cottage against Fulham where Manchester United failed.
But United can ensure it is a short stay at the summit by beating rapidly-unravelling Aston Villa at home on Sunday.
And Arsenal can stretch further ahead of Villa in fourth by beating travel-sick Manchester City at home.
Back at the bottom, Hull City (13th, 33 points) face Portsmouth (15th, 32 points) at home with the safety line in sight.
But Hull have the worst home record in the lead and Pompey's Peter Crouch seems to have hit a hot streak at the right time.
Middlesbrough (19th, 27 points) desperately need a win soon, being four points adrift of safety already.
But this weekend, they face a tough test against Bolton Wanderers (12th, 34 points).
West Brom (20th, 24 points) are even further adrift and to give themselves any hope surely must take three points against Stoke City (16th, 32 points) who are still without an away win all season.
Of the other teams in trouble, Sunderland (14th, 32 points) travel to the Boleyn Ground to face West Ham who will be without Carlton Cole after his injury on England duty.
And Blackburn Rovers (17th, 31 points) meet resurgent Tottenham Hotspur in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Sunday's match between sixth-placed Everton and seventh-placed Wigan at Goodison rounds off gameweek 31. The reverse fixture ended up with Wigan winning 1-0.
In local non-league football, Whitley Bay travel to Lowestoft Town for the second leg of their FA Vase semi final, defending a narrow lead (2-1).
Away goals do not count in the competition and the Bay will hope to avenge last season's defeat at the same stage against the same team.
Meanwhile, Gateshead lost the lead at the top of the Blue Square North in midweek when second-placed Tamworth Town beat third-placed Southport in their game in hand.
With the teams around them still having games in hand, all the Heed can really do is win as many points as possible and see where they end up - starting away at Stafford Rangers on Saturday.
Cricket
England have managed to hang onto the coat-tails of the West Indies and have travelled to St Lucia for today's decider in the five-match series in good spirits.
The availability of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen has given the squad a timely boost as they seek to secure a first-ever one-day series win in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, the Windies have potentially been distracted after their players threatened a boycott because of a row with the WICB over payment.
But Gayle calmed fears that the match would not go ahead by confirming there are now talks between the WICB and the Players' Association (WIPA).
He will hope to continue his magnificent form as the Windies aim to win a Test/ODI-series double.
England will hope to emerge from this torrid winter with some credit.
Formula 1
The F1 circus has moved to Sepang in Malaysia for the second race of the new season which is already engulfed in controversy.
In my review of last weekend's sport, I congratulated Lewis Hamilton on his skill in getting his uncompetitive McLaren up to third, although this was only after Jarno Trulli's 25-second penalty.
But this was not the end of the matter and Hamilton was called to the governing body, the FIA, to explain emerging evidence.
The hearing discovered Hamilton, under instructions from team boss Dave Ryan, gave stewards "deliberately misleading" information about team radio instructions which told him to allow Trulli to pass him.
Hamilton has been stripped of his points with Trulli promoted back into third. Ryan has been suspended by McLaren.
"I'm not a liar or a dishonest person," said Hamilton.
But his reputation remains tarnished in the eyes of many F1 fans and it is doubtful if Hamilton will ever radiate the same glow as what followed when he won the world championship in Brazil.
Of course, he could start by racing brilliantly and fairly this weekend. But his chances are likely to be restricted by Brawn GP, Williams and Ferrari after they all impressed in practice.
In first practice, Niko Rosberg led a Williams one-two ahead of Kazuki Nakajima with the Brawns of Button and Barrichello in third and fourth, and the two Ferraris in fifth and sixth.
In the second practice, it was the Ferraris turn to enjoy a one-two with Kimi Raikkkonen faster than Felipe Massa and Sebastien Vettel in Red Bull in third.
Ice Hockey
In ice hockey, it's finals weekend for the Elite League.
Sheffield Steelers facing Cardiff Devils at 1pm and it's Coventry Blaze against Nottingham Panthers at 5pm at the National Ice Arena in Nottingham on Saturday.
The winners of the two semi-finals meet on Sunday.
Sheffield, playoff champions in 07/08, won the regular season by a clear 11 points from Nottingham and Coventry who both finished on 78 suggesting that the evening match-up could be very competitive indeed.
Cardiff are very much the outsiders, hacing finished fifth in the regular season on 63 points before surprisingly beating Belfast over two legs in the quarters.
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