There's Always the Year After Next

An otherwise enthralling EPL season ended with a whimper, not a bang, unless you count the goings on at Old Trafford, where authorities had to explode a suspicious looking device.  (More on that story here; best part - it was a dummy bomb left by a private firm after a security training exercise - it's so hard to get good help these days).  By the time Sunday rolled around, pretty much all that was left to do was point fingers, fire managers and talk about next year.  Not completely true as some European spots were sewn up but you get the picture.


Meaningless Win

Never has a 5-1 score been so meaningless and possibly misleading but that was Newcastle's margin over Tottenham in what will be the last EPL match at St. James' Park until at least August 2017. The Magpies took a totally deserved 2-0 lead into the break, playing like a team for which relegation should never have been an issue.  Spurs returned to the pitch with some fire in their bellies, likely understanding that Arsenal's first half goal would be more than enough for the win against Aston Villa and they would need at least a draw to maintain second place.  Lamela got one back at 60 minutes and in the 66th minute Mitrovic got a straight red for a thuggish challenge.  With Tottenham already on the front foot, you knew where this was going.  Except the next key moment was a phantom PK call against Tottenham; I didn't see any contact on Sissoko, did you?  Didn't think so.  Anywho, the PK is good, and momentum swings again and Newcastle add two more.  Before you feel too badly for Tottenham, ask yourself this question.  At the start of the year, would a Spurs fan gladly have accepted your offer of a third place finish with the proviso that Arsenal would finish ahead of them?  In a heartbeat.  As for Newcastle, the plane circling St. James' Park said it all.

Sunderland fans paid for a plane to fly over St James' Park during the match

I hate to be so black-and-white, but I really think Newcastle's long-term fate will be determined by whether or not Benitez stays.  As of Thursday, there is a verbal agreement that he will stay; my lawyer friends tell me oral agreements aren't worth the paper they're printed on.  But the signs are good.  In some ways it's not so much Benitez but the fact that if he stays, it will only be because Ashley, Charnley and Carr will have essentially ceded control to Rafa.  If he doesn't stay, those clowns will remain in power and the possibility for change goes down the tubes.  Full credit to Benitez if he doesn't bolt.  I'm with Ray Hudson on this one - want to prove you're a genius, take a sucky club and make it good.


Meaningless Loss

I kind of gave away the Aston Villa result above by revealing that Arsenal scored a goal.  The final ended up 4-0.  Every other EPL side doubled the number of Aston Villa's points.  Nuff said.  Unless Dennis wants to add anything.

You already pointed out the key fact - every team doubled up on Villa.  Honestly, I was hoping Norwich would earn a point against Everton so that every team more than doubled up, but alas, I guess there is a bottom to our wretchedness.  I honestly have no idea what my future with this team is.  I can't say I've really enjoyed watching them (for all 3 seasons), they don't appear to be one of those teams that bounce back to the top tier after just one season, and I can't even watch their lower league games.  I think all I can do is wait and see what happens over the summer (prediction: somewhere between nothing and re-acquire Tom Cleverley) and then see how I feel in August.  Whatever the case, it is clear they never really acquired my fanhood if I am so quick to consider jumping ship after a relegation and I'm not sure they will get another chance at it. 


Champions and Europa League Qualification

Leicester, Arsenal and Tottenham were already qualified for Champions League Group stage.  Man City's draw with Swansea (really?) meant that when Man United finally got around to playing Bournemouth at a secure Old Trafford, the Red Devils had to beat the Cherries 18-0 to take away the last CL spot.  Didn't happen, though Man United's 3-1 win did guarantee them a Europa League spot.  Southampton's incredible run in (five wins and draw) took them to sixth and a spot in Europa League.

That leaves one Europa slot open.  That spot goes to the winner of the FA Cup Final, which will be held this Saturday between Crystal Palace and Man United.  If Crystal Palace win, the spot is theirs.  Since Man United already have a spot, if they should win, the final spot will go to 7th place West Ham; the Hammers were looking like an automatic but lost two of their last three and saw Southampton race past them.


Sevilla Europa League Winner

Speaking of Europa League, how 'bout that Sevilla squad?  Third straight Europa League title with a 3-1 win over Liverpool.  Doesn't that mean they retire the cup or something like that?  This was a pretty high stakes match because both sides needed to win to qualify for European action next year.  The opening pace sure showed it.  Liverpool took a 1-0 lead in the first half but Sevilla needed about 14 seconds in the second half to level the match.  From there it seemed all Sevilla to me.  Bob K was not seen running naked down Gorgas in celebration, which most would agree is a good thing.


Good Draw

The Union were not at their best up in Montreal but still came away with 1-1 draw.  Given they were on the road with short recovery, I have it down as a good draw.  Especially after they went down 0-1 in less than five minutes.  C.J. Sapong demonstrated why he is a striker not defender as his attempted clearance went right to the feet of Didier Drogba, who had no trouble blasting it past Blake.  The next 15-20 minutes weren't so good either, as it looked like the Impact wanted to put it away early.  But the Union held firm and then got their equalizer off a nice combination pass from Barnetta to Pontius to LeToux to Sapong for an incredibly easy looking goal. A bit of a slow week so we'll make it this week's YouTubeableMoment.  Honestly don't remember much after that except the feeling that the Union were playing well enough.  Good enough anyway that Dennis says he'll be watching more frequently. 

The Red Bulls lost 0-2 to DC United (ouch) but beat Chicago in a mid-week match.  They have been decent at home but wretched on the road (five losses and a draw).  We're only a third of the way through but a Supporters Shield repeat isn't looking likely right now.


Light Weekend

I'll be seeing live soccer on Friday night as the Union take on D.C. United; former French star Mackenzie W will be joining me.  Saturday at 12:30 on Fox 1 sees the FA Cup Final with Crystal Palace taking on Manchester United.  Pundits seem to favor MUN but also suggest that a win will not be enough to save Louis van Gaal's job.  Actually, the latest rumor has van Gaal getting kicked "upstairs" with The Special One taking the on field reins.  Mourinho back in the EPL might be good for the blog.