As we all braced ourselves for the most exciting premiership finale in almost a decade, Bolton, the neutral’s nemesis, spoiled the next three weeks with another excellent display against one of the big guns.

United’s five point lead seems unassailable with only three games left. 4 points from the last available 9 would suffice barring an end of season Chelsea goal extravaganza.  Chelsea seemed to lack passion yesterday which doesn’t bode well for their upcoming games. Their best defender all year, Ricardo Carvalho also got injured and he looks set to miss the Champions league semi-final on Tuesday at least.

So our focus has shifted to the bottom of the table again. On current from Wigan and Charlton look set to join Watford in the Championship next year. However,  Fulham are also in serious danger and with their next game at home to Liverpool, it seems that times are far from comfortable at Craven Cottage.

The last few years have been full of football scandals. Drugs, match fixing, street violence, the Italian saga and English football agents have all taken the focus away from on pitch activity. I understand that professionalism has shifted the focus of the premiership somewhat.  The focus of the attention should continue to be sport rather than business.

As well and good as these scandals are in early November I am concerned that scandals like todays €5.5 million fine for West Ham will take something away from the most exciting premiership finale in almost a decade.

Today the hammers avoided points deduction after the apparent irregularities surrounding the transfers of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez from Corinthians earlier in the season.

When the charges were laid in early February, a Premier League explanation read: “It is the board’s complaint that there were agreements in relation to both these transfers that enabled third parties to acquire the ability materially to influence the club’s policies and/or the performance of its teams.

Official word from West Ham United echoes my sentiments.  “The club regrets the fact that they fell foul of the FA Premier League regulations, but the new owners of the club now want to focus on matters on the pitch and remaining in the Premier League.”

I would never like to sound like a preacher, but most of us would much prefer to focus on the football for the next few weeks so let’s give it a shot.

Saturday

Chelsea vs Bolton

Cole has lifted spirits at Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea have to win. It’s that simple. Joe Cole’s return seems to have given the squad a huge boost while Drogba looks as potent as ever and seems due a couple of premiership goals. Chelsea should cope with Bolton’s aggressive style fairly comfortably. Allardyce’s side is depleted with Diouf, Ben-Haim and Faye ruled out and Stelios, Nicky Hunt and Kevin Nolan all doubtful. Could be a rout.

If all else fails, at least Joe Cole can claim to have one of the most impressive websites in football

Verdict: Home win

Everton vs Man Utd

Everton have played some excellent football this year. However, since Duncan Ferguson’s days, The Toffees have generally been an easy target for Fergie’s men. While United have had well documented defensive injuries, it seems unlikely that Everton will unsettle their makeshift back four. Andrew Johnson, James Beattie, James McFadden, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe are all injury concerns for David Moyes, potentially leaving him without an attack. Louis Saha also returns to the United squad who should help his side to continue their European momentum.

Verdict: Away win

Blackburn vs Charlton

Blackburn don’t have an awful lot to play for while Charlton are fighting for survival. However, you would expect any team of Mark Hughes’ to be motivated for any game they play.  Charlton have a great chance of getting out of the relegation zone tomorrow if they can get the three points. 

Verdict: Draw

Man City vs Aston Villa

Mpenza may return for City 

This game has draw written all over it. Probably just because Aston Villa are involved though. Emile Impenza might return for City which would only be positive for the home side after his obvious effect a few weeks ago. City’s home form has dipped in recent months while Villa are …. well Villa

Verdict: Draw

Middlesborough vs Tottenham

Boro seem to have hit some form at last with Viduka in inspired form up front and Downing playing some fantastic football in midfield. However spurs are a team with enough talent to be in the top six and on their day, they can outplay most in the league. It should be a good open game and is tough to call.

Verdict: Home win

Portsmouth vs Liverpool

Gerrard didn’t even travel to Portsmouth

Liverpool don’t seem to care about this game. After all, they’ll more than likely finish third whether they pick up 4 or 9 points from their last three games. Gerrard, Reina and Carragher didn’t even travel. Pompey have defensive doubts and are still pushing for a European place. However, Liverpool’s reserves will be keen to impress and will have talent in abundance.

Verdict: Draw

Sheffield Utd vs Watford

Another huge game at the bottom of the league.  A win for Sheffield United tomorrow would see them reach the somewhat safe tally of 38. WIth WIgan playing West Ham and Charlton with a tricky tie away to Blackburn, this weekend is crucial for Sheffield United’s survival.

Verdict: Home win

Wigan vs West Ham

Another crunch game.  It’s been a difficult few days for the Hammers but a win tomorrow would see them level on points with Wigan but behind on goal difference. Depending on other results, a win tomorrow could potentially see them leapfrog Charlton and also be level on points with Sheffield United, making their esacpe a real possibility. Biggest game of the season for both sides.

Verdict: Away win

Sunday

Arsenal vs Fulham

Barring an absolute disaster, Arsenal are guaranteed a champions league spot next year. Fulham are still hovering above the relegation pit. A win from one of their last three games should suffice. Even three draws would probably do the trick for Lawrie Sanchez. He can’t get comfortable just yet though.

Verdict: Home win

Monday

Reading vs Newcastle

Owen has been included in squad 

Reading continue to roll on while Newcastle have impressed in patches this season. Michael Owen may return for the Magpies. Reading deserve a European place after the season they’ve had but Newcastle will always be a tough side to put away. Should be tight

Verdict: Home win

The vast amounts of tributes to Alan Ball, one of the great English players and managers have been moving. It’s fanatstic to see that despite all of the negatviity often directed at the English game that they can all take a step back to make such warm tributes to this man.

At a time when all the focus is on winning and money it’s great to see that such respect still exists in the game. Ball won a World Cup with England in 1966 and was a well respected club player with Everton and Arsenal and club manager with Man City, Southampton and Portsmouth. Indeed Alan Ball was the youngest member of England’s only ever World Cup winning team.

Yes way José

Chelsea managed to ruin their best chance of catching Manchester United in the premiership.

However Mourinho claims not to be bothered by his side’s scoreless draw against the Magpies. As usual his focus is on Manchester United “With the new football rules, I think we are doing well. Manchester United cannot lose. They are forbidden to lose.” 

Mourinho was happy enough to draw because it was an away game. Mind you, we all know he is seething after such a golden opportunity finally arose. He now needs United to drop points against Everton, West Ham or Man City for them to win the league. And that’s assuming that Chelsea win their remaining four games, including the visit of the Red Devils to Stamford Bridge on May 9. 

As difficult as “The Special One” makes life difficult for all football fans, he certainly makes English football that bit more entertaining. For more Mourinho madness click here

In reality, the most exciting thing in english soccer at the moment is the race for the Championship. Roy Keane’s high-flying Sunderland slipped up away to Colchester today, giving Birmingham the chance to go into first if they win their game in hand while Derby are lurking one point behind with two games left to play. Could the Sunderland fairytale be cruelly ended at the very end??How ironic that Mick McCarthy’s Wolves could do Roy Keane’s Sunderland such a huge favour tomorrow!

That’s not to say that the premiership wasn’t exciting today with three unexpected results. Reading ran out comfortabe winners against Bolton in the Reebok, Watford got a useless point against Man City, while West Ham got a vital win at home to Everton.

If anything came out of today’s games, it was the lacklustre performance of Wigan. Granted, they were playing a high-flying Liverpool side but I thought they would have showed more promise than they did. And with West Ham’s win today and Sheffield Utd’s and Charlton’s share of the spoils, the pressure on Paul Jewell has been increased exponentially.

As I predicted, (yes I got one right-Utd and Middlesbrough were to draw with Viduka to shine…see below!) Man Utd slipped up and the title race has been thrown open again. Chelsea will have the favourites tag should they beat Newcastle in St. James’ Park tomorrow.

Saturday

Tottenham vs Arsenal (K.O. 1245)

This North London derby is always a hotly contested affair. Although Aresenal are missing potency up front, I think their experience at this time of year will tell and their recent dominance of their neighbours should continue, marginally. Verdict: Away win

Bolton vs Reading

Two teams who have been in mixed form all year. However Steve Coppell’s charges have already had a successful season while Allardyce’s foreign legion need to make sure of European football in 07/08 which should see them through. Verdict: Home win

Charlton vs Sheffield Utd

Two teams in dire need of a big performance. In reality, this is now the biggest game of the season for both clubs. These two teams are the only teams in the bottom 6 who have shown a fighting spirit and strong team unity. However, the sad reality is that one of them will more than likely be playing championship football next August. They both need to win so badly I think it’s too close to call. Verdict: Draw

Fulham vs Blackburn Rovers

Lawrie Sanchez didn’t join Fulham at the ideal time, especially after the heights he has been enjoying recently with Northern Ireland which has seen the nation jump to 33rd in the world rankings. However Fulham’s class should see them through this difficult spell and move them away from their precarious position above the relegation zone against a jaded Blackburn side. Verdict: Home win

Liverpool vs Wigan

Although Paul Jewell has had success against Liverpool before in a relegation struggle with Bradford City, his Wigan side lack leadership and determination. They also lack potency upfront with a confused Emile Heskey their main threat. He doesn’t seem to know what he’s going to do when he has the ball which seems a shame for a player who posessed so much talent in his youth. Wigan’s best chance of a point is to keep the game scoreless which seems unlikely as they have the fourth worst defence in the division. Verdict: Home win

Watford vs Man City

Despite Man City’s poor away form this year, Watford have been abismal nationwide except for their spell of FA cup relief. However after losing their two best players, Marlon King (injury) and Ashley Young (Aston Villa), their measely four wins aren’t suprising. Watford need to win this game to avoid relegation (mathematically), however in reality they needed this win four months ago. Verdict: Away win

West Ham vs Everton

West Ham United are as predictable as the lottery. However at least you know the lottery will have balls every week. It suprises me to see Curbishley’s poor success at Upton Park especially with the squad he has available. Their teamsheet warrants them easily being in the top half of the table. However experience rather than talent is usually more important in relegation battles and Reo-Coker, Noble, Zamora, Ferdinand  and Tevez just don’t seem to have enough to get to safety. Verdict: Draw

Man Utd vs Middlesborough

Middlesborough, along with Bolton and Blackburn have been somewhat of a bogey team for United in recent years. However Southgate’s troops are facing a more focused United side who have only dropped 18 points all season. United are playing a lot of games at the moment and are missing a few players because of injury, particularly in defence so this is a potential banana skin for Fergie’s men. Viduka to shine Verdict: Draw

Sunday

Newcastle vs Chelsea

Chelsea should have no trouble disposing of a Newcastle side anything but reflective of their passionate fans. The “perennial underachievers” need to get out of this lull of mediocrity before they are considered a mediocre club. Chelsea are on a roll. Verdict: Away win

Aston Villa vs Portsmouth

It looks set to be an awful game before a ball gets kicked. Not much more to be said. Verdict: Scoreless draw

Daniel Agger has been crucial to Liverpool’s success

Blackburn vs Watford Verdict: Home win

Liverpool vs Middlesborough Verdict: Home win

West Ham vs Chelsea Verdict: Away win

3 games on tonight and all of them should be quite predictable with the strong defence of Liverpool probably enough to see Liverpool through their clash with Middlesborough while the weak defence’s of Watford and West Ham will probably be quite exposed by Blackburn and Chelsea respectively.
After Man Utd and Arsenal won relatively comfortably it seems that a slip up by Man Utd or Chelsea at this stage would be disastrous.

So with the title chasers on FA Cup duty this weekend, the focus of the premiership switched to the wrong end of the premiership table and the teams striving for premiership safety certainly disapointed. Sheffield Utd  were the only relegation wary teams who impressed at the weekend with their 3-0 victory over fellow strugglers , West Ham Utd.

Wigan squandered a crcuial lead three times against a jaded Tottenham side, Charlton lost at home to Everton 2-1 to a late James McFadden strike while Fulham failed to inspire any faith in their ability to scrap for points. 

Looking at future fixtures and current form, it looks like the current bottom three of Watford and West Ham and Charlton Athletic are all set to revisit the championship. However Fulham and Wigan also need to start getting points quickly or they could be sucked down again with Charlton, the current favourites to get out of the current bottom three.

Lawrie Sanchez (above) has a big task on his hands

Arsenal vs Bolton Verdict: Home win

Manchester City vs Liverpool Verdict: Draw

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa Verdict: Draw

Portsmouth vs Newcastle Verdict: Home win

Reading vs Fulham Verdict: Away win

Sheffield United vs West Ham United Verdict: Draw

This next gameweek will be crucial for all those at the bottom of the league with West Ham, Sheffield United and Manchester City all playing twice. It’s also a crucial week for Fulham who travel to Reading with Lawrie Sanchez in charge for the first time. Although it does worry me that another international manager has left behind a national side at the peak of their powers in favour of the money on offer in the premiership. Where’s the loyalty gone?

In fact for a cheap plug, see my article written for the college newspaper on p24 February issue www.thecollegeview.com