Chelsea smiles red and buried

It took until well into May, but Manchester United finally reached out to wrench the title firmly away from Chelsea’s possession, with a resounding victory built on a true champions’ display. At the other end, Wolves have made a late break for freedom, while West Ham are slipping away with a whimper.

This was it. Essentially a title decider at Old Trafford; champions elect versus defending champions with the title up for grabs for the winner. A draw would see United favourites, but to all intents and purposes, this was a title playoff. The one thing that neutrals were hoping for from the game was a frenetic pace and opening, and the crowd were left agog at just how fast the contest burst into life. After a Chelsea free-kick from kick-off in their own half was launched forward by Cech and headed clear, old master Ryan Giggs picked the ball up at halfway and darted forward, before feeding Park. With David Luiz napping, Park’s dynamism saw him slide a perfect through-ball which Luiz lunged at and missed, leaving Javier Hernandez to race through, adjust in a second and finish superbly cutely inside Cech’s near post. The crowd erupted, as did Carlo Ancelotti; directing his ire towards Luiz, who played the innocent but must have been pretty nervous when Alex immediately began warming up. United seized the initiative after this catalyst, and Cech had to be at his past to palm a rocket from Rooney wide with both hands. A nice interchange between the architects of the opener saw Giggs again find Park, who dinked an inviting cross in, which first Luiz and then Hernandez missed, when any meaningful contact would have seen the net bulging. Chelsea took a while, but managed to carve out an opening of their own, when a dangerous cross saw Van Der Sar tumble over players, but the Dutchman responded in time to excellently deal with Kalou’s goal-bound shot. The little man for the big occasions, Park Ji-Sung, stung Cech’s fingertips with a belted effort later, and the resultant corner saw the lead extended. With Chelsea again inert, Giggs took the corner short and received the  return from Park. Kalou put in a pitiful challenge as Giggs beat him all ends up and sent in a beautiful delivery that saw Drogba and Luiz get in each other’s way as it fell behind them for a predatory Vidic to beat his Serbian counterpart Ivanovic and head into the roof of Cech’s net. Before half-time, Van Der Sar made certain of a good team talk, when he reacted superbly to tip Kalou’s effort from a scrambled corner away. At half-time, Ancelotti rang the changes, later explaining he felt most of the team should have been changed, and Luiz predictably came off. Each team had a penalty shout denied, before Chelsea finally worked their way back into the game. A Ramires cross was deflected up and into the danger area, where Ivanovic got a flick that Lampard helped into the net. Almost immediately United surged back into attack mode, when a magnificent tackle from Valencia saw an Hernandez cross evade Cech and find Rooney, who was only denied by the most incredible sliding goal-line clearance from Alex. Rooney knocked on the door again, but after being thwarted by Cech, he saw his final effort deflected over by Alex. Hernandez then proved he is human, heading over a glorious chance from a Valencia cross after he couldn’t adjust. Finally, a champions display from United, while Ancelotti will be fearing a p45 as his reward for a season of near-misses.

Arsenal well and truly blew their chances of even finishing runners up, with a display of defending that plumbed new depths in this season of continued failure after bright prospects. Meanwhile, Stoke City head for the FA Cup final in high spirits, after dominating Arsenal for long periods, if not on possession at least goal threat and poise. Despite a ridiculously avaricious share of possession, Arsenal were clueless; constantly attempting to play through a middle more congested than the M25 at rush hour. They had no width, no ‘plan B’, and, as usual, their only clinical finisher was Robin Van Persie. Forget Fabregas, Arsenal could not do without their Dutch striker, the only direct Gunner, who looks for goal rather than players. People who compare Arsenal to Barcelona must be blind. The only possible comparison is the quality of passing, but still Arsenal struggle when really pressed, they do not press enough without the ball, their defence is paper-thin and susceptible to set-pieces time and again, while they do not value goals as much as intricate approach play. This season, even the quality of their approach play has been lacking for long periods, while players such as Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott have let everybody down with their lack of influence, while Marouane Chamakh really went off the boil. The opening goal for Stoke came after Arsenal had had practically all of the ball, before Arshavin stupidly gave away a soft free-kick at the corner flag. Pennant delivered, Van Persie missed the header at the near post, and John Djorou began his one-man self-destruct mission by falling asleep and nearly tripping over his own player, as he failed to prevent his man Kenwyne Jones from strolling in unhindered to bundle the ball over the line. What Arsenal would give for Walcott to have the deliveries of a Pennant or Etherington. The game was up for Arsenal minutes later, when Pennant ran across their box hardly challenged, before unleashing a drive which was pretty safe until it nicked up off the boot of the hapless Djorou, though Wojciech Szczeszny did not cover himself in glory with his weak hand on the way over him and into the net. Robert Huth then sent a diving header over, injuring himself and provoking Alexandre Song’s face arm to find his face in the subsequent melee. The match then descended a little into a series of hefty challenges, the most amusing when Jack Wilshere upended Pennant, before himself being upended by Wilkinson; leaping up to remonstrate before being challenged for his own sin by a furious Pennant. The handbags were soon called off, and substitute Bendtner found Van Persie in the box, but the Dutchman was smothered by two defenders and goalkeeper. Glenn Whelan thumped in a near post effort that Szczeszny kept out, and it looked an important save when another substitute Chamakh fed Van Persie, who elegantly ghosted past Shawcross and cracked a low shot through Begovic with his weaker right foot. Being Arsenal though, this proved yet again to be a false dawn, and within a minute, Stoke were at the other end sealing the game. Jonathan Walters, who had a magnificent game, held up well inside the box, before laying back to Wilkinson, whose awful effort was returned perfectly for Walters to bury by the inept Djorou, who completed his hat-trick of cock-ups leading directly to goals.

Wolves seized the chance to leap across the chasm and escape the clutches of the relegation beast, at least for a week, by comfortably beating formerly formidable Black Country neighbours West Bromwich Albion at Molineux. From kick-off, Wolves were on the front foot, and Scott Carson had to be at his best to tip a Jamie O’Hara free-kick wide of the post, though he could do little about the resulting corner, which Guedioura helped on for Stephen Fletcher to stab in from close range. From another corner the roles were reversed, with Fletcher nodding back across for Guedioura to swivel and volley home. Wolves strength at set-pieces was proving the difference, and Fletcher later sent another corner narrowly wide, before the Baggies finally showed signs of resistance through an Odemwingie dribble and shot superbly tipped wide by Hennessey before half-time. The second half had only just begin, and surely West Brom had a Hodgson rocket up their arses. This soon became an impending boot for Abdoulaye Meite, whose diabolical error saw any chance of salvation snatched away within minutes of the second half beginning. Kevin Foley played a long pass which was comfortably within interception range of Meite, yet the centre-back decided to attempt to trap a speeding ball with his wrong foot, allowing it to skid under his boot and see Stephen Fletcher through one-on-one. The Scottish striker made no mistake, and Meite didn’t know where to look. It only took ten minutes for the Baggies to finally rouse themselves and seize control, when Jerome Thomas’ trickery in the box saw him scythed down, and Odemwingie notched the penalty to give Albion a fighting chance of a miracle. Wayne Hennessey then had to pull of a superb reaction save, when Simon Cox got on the end of a cross from close-range, and soon after Tchoyi slipped a lovely ball through for Jerome Thomas, who smashed it against the woodwork. Tchoyi could himself have reduced the arrears further, but got it all wrong when he sent a completely free header over the bar with everything to aim at. The Baggies seemed to realise the game was up at this point, and the final flourishes came from Wolves; first from Ward driving a fraction wide, thenEbanks-Blake, who kept Carson busy at his near post. Wolves move two points clear of danger with two games remaining.

Spurs’ faint hopes of Champions’ League football for next season were crushed when yet again they could only draw a fixture they would normally expect to win, though Blackpool were equally as distraught, with the result doing neither side many favours, though every point is better than none for the Tangerines right now. New striker Sergey Kornilenko almost got off to the perfect start for Blackpool, but saw his effort blocked, before an Adam volley follow-up was superbly saved, and the same scramble saw Campbell also thwarted. Kornilenko then ruined a great chance by heading a corner over, and was replaced at half-time. Some great work from Modric fed Bale, and his gorgeous cross was narrowly missed by both Defoe and Van Der Vaart. A Charlie Adam driller was parried, and Van Der Vaart unusually blazed a glorious chance over under pressure from Neil Eardley. Gareth Bale swerved a shot just wide, and a Modric header cleared the crossbar. Unfortunately, Charlie Adam, who had been at the centre of everything good for Blackpool, then sullied his reputation with a horrible moment, as Bale nutmegged his man and was challenged on one side, Adam barged in from the opposite side and scissored him, stamping on the Welsh winger’s ankle at the same time and sending him off on a stretcher. Blackpool went on the attack again, with Vaughan and Puncheon at the forefront, leading to an instinctive effort from DJ Campbell which was somehow kept out by the athleticism of Heurelho Gomes. The Blackpool faithful’s eyes lit up when Michael Dawson claimed a push as he stupidly handled a cross. His pleas fell on deaf ears, and Charlie Adam stepped up, but again Gomes somehow kept out his well struck effort, much to the chagrin of the Blackpool fans. Yet there was a steely determination etched across Adam’s face as he followed the ball out for a corner, and this was well founded, as from the corner Gomes spoiled his good work by spilling at Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s feet, before lunging to recover and taking him down. This time, Adam kept his nerve to drill the penalty in, and Blackpool were dreaming of salvation. They could have sealed the game late on, after Campbell had seized on a William Gallas error and held up, before laying back to Jason Puncheon, who produced an awful finish just when composure was required most. He rued this with just two minutes to go, when  Lukaa Modric worked some space and nudged the ball to Jermain Defoe, who leathered the ball into the bottom corner to break Blackpool hearts.

West Ham fans were forced to accept that they will be watching Championship football next season, after they could only manage a draw in their must-win game against relegation rivals Blackburn. The Hammers set about their task quickly though, and Da Costa was denied only by a goal-line clearance from Morten Gamst Pedersen. Unfortunately for the Irons, Jermaine Jones slid Brett Emerton down the line, and his cross was converted by Jason Roberts, and they were staring down the barrel of relegation. West Ham didn’t wilt, and recovered to test the Rovers backline, led by Freddie Sears and Demba Ba, while Robinson had to beat out a Thomas Hitzlsperger swerver. Junior Hoilett almost carved an opening at the other end, while Stephen N’Zonzi was well saved by Green. Demba Ba sent a header just wide, and the Boleyn faithful were suffering, until Carlton Cole held the ball up inside the box surrounded by Rovers defenders, and managed to lay the ball back neatly for Hitzlsperger to drive between two players and in for a precious equaliser. West Ham had to go for broke now, and they had the one shining beacon of opportunity presented to them wrapped up crisply with a red bow, when Frederic Piquionne sent in a low cross; finding Robbie Keane just six yards from goal. With destiny calling, Keane contrived to open his foot too much and miss a howling clanger of a sitter. The final few minutes featured a superhuman display of heroic defending from Christopher Samba; blocking a Ba shot, intercepting a dangerous Spector cross, and finally lunging to block a certain goal as Cole was about to pounce, to leave Rovers mathematically safe and West Ham all but mathematically down.

Wigan once again squeezed a result out, but not the win they so desperately needed at Villa Park. For the second week in a row they scored early, when they won the ball in midfield, and Victor Moses charged past three players and fed the marauding Charles N’Zogbia, who finished perfectly across Brad Friedel. Lamentably for the Latics, an Ashley Young free-kick conceded some seven minutes later was dispatched perfectly into the corner of Wigan’s net. Ali Al-Habsi will be disappointed, as he took a step to his right which shifted his weight enough for him not to recover to turn it around the post. Emile Heskey then swivelled and saw the best of the Omanian, as he reacted to turn his effort away from no distance. Other than this, the most interesting incident in the first half happened when Heskey went down in an aerial challenge clutching his head. Clearly he had no feelings of forgiveness for his old team mates, as he ranted, raved and rampaged at referee Mike Jones, even barging into him. Jones, for his leniency only showed him yellow, but Heskey was removed at half-time by Gary McAllister for his sins. A goalmouth scramble to end all goalmouth scrambles saw Wigan cursing their luck, as Rodallega was blocked out, his layback to Cleverley was also blocked, there was a claim of hands as the ball was played back in to an offside Alcaraz, who was certain to bundle it in until a heroic lunge from Collins and Richard Dunne sent his effort over the Villa crossbar. At the other end Al-Habsi intercepted a dangerous Young cross, and Di Santo flicked on for Rodallega to swivel and fire an effort a fraction wide. Wigan hands shot to heads in desperate rumination, but they were later in relief, as Darren Bent was sent through, only to lose his one-on-one battle of wits with Al-Habsi. A point closer to survival for Wigan, or two closer to the dreaded drop?

Mancitti blew their chance of sealing the precious Champions’ League place by capitulating at Goodison Park, despite threatening to run up a cricket score in the first half. David Silva flashed an early effort across goal, while a game of ‘headers and volleys’ between Milner, Silva and Vieira saw the veteran Frenchman volley wastefully over from close range. James Milner sprung the Toffees’ offside trap but couldn’t find his man, yet the inevitable happened after 28 minutes, when Distin lost out in a tackle, and David Silva slipped a lovely ball through to Yaya Toure, who dinked over Howard for an excellent goal. Phil Jagielka was then called into action for a last-ditch block-tackle on Aleksandr Kolarov, shaping to shoot. Everton finally offered some threat of their own, and Vincent Kompany had to be at his imperious best to intercept, after former Toffee Joleon Lescott could only deflect a Baines effort towards his own goal. Yaya Toure had another opportunity, but this time Tim Howard won the one-on-one battle, while Edin Dzeko jinked past Sylvain Distin but could only fire wide. City soon regretted their profligacy, when former player Distin rose to meet an Arteta free-kick and send it into the net, though Joe Hart seemed to get a full hand to it and will be disappointed with his efforts. Five minutes later, the game had been turned on its head. Phil Neville was given space to weigh up his options, and sent in a floated cross which little Leon Osman launched himself at and planted a superb header past Hart as he was clattered in the air, for a glorious goal. Substitute Jermaine Beckford then dashed across the front post to get an effort in which was saved, while City’s final meaningful effort came when Milner’s shot was deflected over by Leighton Baines.

Kenny Dalglish was left with a smile as wide as the Mersey, after Liverpool’s trip to the Thames provided a goal-laden away-day victory at the normally tight Craven Cottage. Fulham have been nothing short of formidable at the Cottage thus far this season, but after surprising everyone with a resounding away victory at Sunderland, it was perhaps inevitable that they would do the reverse amid the comforts of home. The game was over as a meaningful contest as early as the 16^th minute, by which time the away side were three goals up. Almost from kick-off, a slip from Aaron Hughes let in Suarez, while Salcido and Schwarzer were at sixes and sevens as the striker’s cross was converted by Maxi Rodriguez. Chris Baird then played Glen Johnson onside, allowing the full-back to find Rodriguez, who again dispatched clinically. Mark Schwarzer continued his lacklustre night by fumbling Dirk Kuyt’s near post effort into the net after sixteen minutes and it was goodnight and God bless for the Cottagers. The half-time rollicking from Hughes seemed to work, as Fulham finally came out of the traps in the second half, creating a few chances before substitute Bobby Zamora held up well before teeing up Moussa Dembele for a goal. If Fulham had any thoughts of a miraculous recovery, those thoughts were shot down on 70 minutes, when Maxi Rodriguez completed his second hat-trick in three games in the grand manner; launching a scud missile into the top corner from 25 yards. The Argentinian, who seemed nothing short of peripheral under Roy Hodgson, has clearly found his best position under Dalglish, and looks reborn. Liverpool racked up a fifth when JonJo Shelvey’s through-ball found Luis Suarez, who expertly rounded the goalkeeper and put the gloss on a superb team display. There was still time for Fulham to reduce the arrears, and Steve Sidwell obliged with a crisp half-volley from just outside the box, to give the home fans something to cheer. Strangely, stoppage time then produced a mad glut of action, with Schwarzer saving brilliantly from Shelvey, Jay Spearing seeing a shot cleared off the line, and Kuyt being blocked by Baird at the last.

Birmingham still retain their status as relegation candidates, as a red card contributed to their demise at Newcastle. Alex McLeish was furious early on, when Steven Taylor appeared to lead with his elbow in an aerial challenge; poleaxing Cameron Jerome but receiving no reprimand. Joey Barton then saw a long range effort tipped wide, but from his corner, madness descended on St James’ Park. A header from Shola Ameobi was saved and Foster tipped a follow-up effort from Coloccini onto the post, but as the ball was returned the goalkeeper was helpless. Liam Ridgewell didn’t know much about the ball coming down onto his arm on the line, but he certainly knew about it when he nudged it away with his elbow to prevent a certain Nolan finish, and he was duly red-carded. Ameobi dispatched the penalty clinically, and Newcastle were in control. Foster continued his excellent form though, denying Lovenkrands superbly at his near post, and making an incredible point-blank reflex stop as Kevin Nolan swivelled to pummel Tiote’s mishit effort at goal. Unfortunately for Foster, his hard work was undone from the resultant corner, which Taylor headed in past a hapless Larsson on the line, who miscued his ‘clearance’ over his own shoulder and into the net. Against all odds, Brum were back in the game just two minutes later, on the stroke of half-time. Ben Foster was pressured on a clearance, but for once he stayed calm and dummied his pursuer, before launching a booming kick deep into the Newcastle half which saw Cameron Jerome round Tim Krul. Fabriccio Coloccini made a great last-ditch recovery challenge to prevent Jerome putting it in to the unguarded net, but, as Toon fans breathed a sigh of relief, Lee Bowyer arrived on the scene to guide a shot in, which this time Coloccini was responsible for deflecting past the recovering Krul. In the second half Nile Ranger produced a fantastic dribble and shot which was saved excellently, while Larsson miskicked horribly for the second time, this time with a gaping net, as Krul dropped at his feet. The game ended with Newcastle on the attack. A break spearheaded by Ranger saw the ball delivered in for Barton to help across the box to Ameobi, who stole in at the back post to dink over the onrushing Foster, only to see Roger Johnson clear magnificently off the goal line. Birmingham need another result to be safe, but they are notoriously erratic, so you would be a brave man to bet on it.

Despite possessing no strikers once more, Sunderland grabbed an excellent away win at the Reebok, with Bolton ruing some sterling defending and wasteful finishing of their own. This win came despite Phil Bardsley missing an absolute sitter of a header early on. He then redeemed himself partially, by deflecting Daniel Sturridge’s whipped shot onto the crossbar. Sunderland took the lead in first half stoppage time, as Sessegnon sent a suspiciously offside-looking Bolo Zenden through to round Jaaskelainen and score. Daniel Sturridge seized the game by the throat in the second half, and fired just wide after great work from Ricardo Gardner, before combining with Lee, only to see Bardsley once again thwart them. Rodrigo Moreno saw a great effort parried, but his cross late in the game was deftly headed back across goal and in by potent substitute Ivan Klasnic. There was no time left, yet Bolton almost pressed for a winner, when Moreno volleyed across for Davies to score a certain goal, but incredibly, hero of the hour Bardsley contorted to head the ball over from under his own crossbar. Steve Bruce was prepared to pat his defender on the back for earning his side a point, but it got even better deep into stoppage time, when a fabulous through-ball from Sessegnon saw Sulley Muntari beat Jaaskelainen to the ball in driving it across goal, where Zat Knight could only clumsily help it into his own net, earning the praise of Bruce and rebuke from his own manager.