Premier League all set for dramatic finale
Match of the Day on the last day of the season is always a little bit different.
Last season's relegation decider was one of the most memorable programmes of recent years as four crucial games were cut together to reflect every twist and turn as it happened.
I was at Stoke against Wigan that day, getting news from the other relevant matches fed into my ear as the game unfolded. Wigan's scenario was that they had to win and you will recall that they did exactly that. Blackburn and Wolves also clung to safety while Blackpool and Birmingham bit the dust around them.
Every cruel surge of hope and flood of despair was brilliantly reflected on the programme as it flipped from venue to venue.
The swings and roundabouts of that dramatic final day were a bit of a test for my maths. In between commentating on the excitement at Stoke, I was scribbling on my copy of the league table updating goal difference and goals scored to make absolutely sure that I knew exactly what was what. The last thing I wanted to do was to holler "Wigan are 10 minutes from safety!" just as the axe was falling.
At least if I had got my maths wrong the only person to suffer would have been me. Manchester City fans may be intent on seeing their side clinch the title this Sunday, but many will recall when one such horrible error helped to send them down.
The Blackburn Rovers players are now down and out. Photo: Getty
Back in 1996, City were drawing 2-2 with Liverpool at Maine Road when manager Alan Ball was incorrectly informed that a draw would be enough to keep them up. He duly instructed his players to time waste - it was a big mistake and City went down.
This season I will be at the Stadium of Light, where Manchester United will be hoping for similar last day City buffoonery. City fans with long memories will be certain that if any club can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory then it is them.
It is more than likely that the City and United games will be intercut on Match of the Day, and then I can assume in my commentary that the viewer will be as aware of events in the other game as I am. There are, after all, still people who do not like to hear the football results before the famous MOTD theme music starts up, though how they manage it I am not sure.
The running order of games on Sunday's programme is slightly complicated by the fact the City v QPR game also goes a long way to deciding the last relegation issue; a point for QPR might help hand the title to United but would also relegate Bolton - barring a nine goal win for Owen Coyle's side at Stoke.
If City win then our man there, Guy Mowbray, will have to keep his powder dry over what that means for QPR's chances of survival until it's confirmed by Jonathan Pearce's commentary from the Britannia.
Then there is the race for third and fourth.....
It's probably the most enjoyable programme of the season to work on and hopefully one of the best to watch. The only problem is that next weekend doing normal stuff without a game to commentate on will be strange indeed. Roll on the Euros.
Page 1 of 4
Comment number 1.
At 11th May 2012, paddock_chap wrote:As a QPR fan, I'm preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. My heart rate is already much higher than it should be....
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Comment number 2.
At 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:Great to have a last day as exciting as this at both ends of the table. We haven't had a 'Helicopter Sunday' and a 'Survival Sunday' both on the final day for years. Just hope a refereeing howler doesn't decide either issue.
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Comment number 3.
At 11th May 2012, nikolaybollukov wrote:Referees don't decide games, players do. One mistake made by a referee in one split-second does not erase the other 89 minutes and 59 seconds for which the players are responsible.
If you go into a match worried about a referee then you need a chisel for that shoulder affliction of yours and it's more than likely that any player worried about the same thing is setting himself up to fail.
Take responsibility.
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Comment number 4.
At 11th May 2012, Damien Davis wrote:Despite Spurs 'collapse' after the 'Harry for England' fiasco and the court case, we go into the last game of the season with a possibility of finishing 3rd and knowing that a win will guarantee us a top 4 finish. Having only finished in the top 4 once during the Premier League era, expectation has been (unfairly) set very high due to the explosive first half of the season and Spurs' sensational form. We have the players and a great squad (that needs adding to in the summer if we are to continue to grow). Will Harry stay? Will see see big summer signings? I'm certain that it all hinges on where we finish. Amazing that it all boils down to 90 minutes at home to Fulham. What a rollercoaster of a season!
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Comment number 5.
At 11th May 2012, ChubbyPandas wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
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Comment number 6.
At 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:3
"Referees don't decide games"
How naive is this comment.
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Comment number 7.
At 11th May 2012, moislam81 wrote:I agree with @5, I hope QPR go down to they just dont look like a premier league team, they may have their millions too but they look like a championship team anyday saying that however i will be supporting QPR on sunday as i am red devil!! dont think iv ever been this nervou before!!
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Comment number 8.
At 11th May 2012, Agent Eighty wrote:3
"One mistake made by a referee in one split-second does not erase the other 89 minutes and 59 seconds for which the players are responsible."
Of course it can and it often does. This season has been characterized by perhaps more high profile errors than any other.
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Comment number 9.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#6
In almost every game where a referee seems to have decided it, there are usually loads of times the actual players could have had a bigger influence. Missed chances, defensive errors etc. Our draw at home to Newcastle for instance, the ref made one of the howlers of the season but we missed about 15 fairly easy chances as well.
Easy to blame the ref.
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Comment number 10.
At 11th May 2012, The Academy wrote:6: Nikolay is spot on. Managers and players are the people who most affect a game of football but it's much easier for them to stand up and blame an official who may have got a decision wrong rather than themselves. You are never going to be able to get 100% per cent of things correct as a ref especially as a lot of players are trying to deceive them for the entire game.
The only reason to doubt a ref if when you hear of events in Italy.
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Comment number 11.
At 11th May 2012, repo wrote:Bolton may get a draw at Stoke but I cant see them winning , so for me QPR to stay up.
Spurs to win for 3rd , Arsenal to draw for 4th place finish.
Oh...and Chelsea to beat Bayern :)
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Comment number 12.
At 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:City will obviously win the title, United to draw.
Arsenal are going to get a tough time at West Brom and will finish fifth, Liverpool seventh.
Bolton to go down after losing at Stoke.
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Comment number 13.
At 11th May 2012, repo wrote:9.At 09:47 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:
______________________________
Hey
Is that new Man Utd kit for real , or is it a wind up ?
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Comment number 14.
At 11th May 2012, Clockwork_Banana wrote:Both Bolton and QPR could claim they deserve to stay up with some of the results they're had, particularly QPR in recent weeks. The two teams that have already been relegated do throughly deserve to go down - Wolves for simply not being good enough, and Blackburn for their poor results and dreadful ownership.
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Comment number 15.
At 11th May 2012, george wrote:Come on u QPR beauties! Come on Sparky! I BELIEVE!
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Comment number 16.
At 11th May 2012, Rob04 wrote:Suspect it won't be a good day for the ManU fanboys in Surrey and on the McNulty blog. They will moan about the money City have spent, their injuries (fair point) and their failure to do the 'business' when it mattered most.
But however, gracious some of them might be, its never nice to lose to your neighbours. The 'Empire' has failed this season and things might never be the same again for them. ManC have 'got to' United this season and it shows.
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Comment number 17.
At 11th May 2012, nikolaybollukov wrote:It would be nice if United won the league and QPR went down, but as that is nigh on impossible, I reckon City winning the league is the lesser of two evils. Come on Wanderers
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Comment number 18.
At 11th May 2012, Emma wrote:The most exciting day of the football calendar. Glory for some, heartbreak for others.
Regarding the battle for 3rd & 4th spots...If Chelsea beat Bayern Munich, it's my understanding that they, plus the top 3 only in the premier league, will qualify for next season's Champions League. That must be a weird and nerve racking experience for the team who on Sunday finishes 4th. They will have to wait a whole week and pray that Chelsea lose. It's like they'll already be on holiday not knowing in which competition they will be in next season.
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Comment number 19.
At 11th May 2012, burger_j wrote:i understand what you are saying but they do influence the game as if its 0-0 and a ref makes a mistake and it becomes 1-0. One team has to attack to get a draw and the other team could potentially go 2 nil up
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Comment number 20.
At 11th May 2012, saf312 wrote:Hughes will be angry with Mancini for taking his job and Mancini will be furious with Hughs for leaving him so many average players on Sky Rocket wages making them unsellable
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Comment number 21.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#13
Seems to be the real thing! Doesn't really bother me, my shirt buying days are long gone but it does appear the Nike design department have given up.
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Comment number 22.
At 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:10.
OK, imagine this scenario. Bolton pull off a stunning victory at Stoke to give them the chance to stay up. QPR are defending brilliantly against City at 0-0. City haven't missed any chances, it's just Paddy Kenny is having the game of his life. In the last minute QPR break up the field and Cisse blatantly dives in the area with no contact being made at all. The referee gives a penalty which Rangers score and Bolton go down.
Now, tell me, whose fault is that?
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Comment number 23.
At 11th May 2012, Only1TrevorMorley wrote:Interesting scenario:
City's game has longer injury time than United's.
City and QPR are drawing 1 - 1 with both teams going for the win.
United result through to the Etihad, they have drawn 1 - 1 with Sunderland but City and QPR still have 5 minutes of added time to play.
If the score stays at City 1 - 1 QPR, City win the league and QPR stay up!
I bet that will make an intersting last 5 minutes, 1982 West Germany V Austria springs to mind.
As a City fan, I'd love it if we beat these ;o)
and even more so if the above scenario happend, best Fergie time ever!
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Comment number 24.
At 11th May 2012, nikolaybollukov wrote:22 - it is Cisse's fault. Next question.
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Comment number 25.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#22
Cisse's fault for diving obviously.
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Comment number 26.
At 11th May 2012, repo wrote:21.At 10:10 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:
Seems to be the real thing! Doesn't really bother me, my shirt buying days are long gone
____________________
I thought it was a wind up !
A burberry shirt ??? , I think Coleen and Wayne designed it , not Nike :)
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Comment number 27.
At 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:24,25
OK, I can see you're being pedantic. Let's say Kompany tackles Cisse in the area, winning the ball cleanly but the ref gives a penalty, which QPR score to send Bolton down.
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Comment number 28.
At 11th May 2012, george wrote:@22 cisse clearly. I think your hypothetical senario backfired! would LOVE it to happen tho!
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Comment number 29.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#27 In that case they'd be lucky. But at the same time, Bolton would have had 37 other games to get 3 points that would have kept them up. That wasn't the referee's fault that they didn't.
Like I said, it's easy to simply blame the ref.
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Comment number 30.
At 11th May 2012, tinkagain wrote:So referees/officials are expected to be perfect, never make mistakes, and if they do they are entirely responsible for the outcome of the game, not the 22 players. Maybe the game should be played without them, but then, who would there be to blame?
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Comment number 31.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#26
It's meant to be a nod to the manufacturing history of Manchester. I suppose since everyone brings out a new shirt every year these days designers are struggling to think of something new.
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Comment number 32.
At 11th May 2012, Collycini - Would like curly hair too wrote:9. Weallfollowunited
Great comment. We got the jammiest of non-penalties (Ben Arfa didn't dive, he was clearly tackled by Ferdinand for a corner), but as you say your goal was pretty much the only shot of the game, and that came from a jammy pinball ricochet. Despite the 'unfairness' of our goal it seemed that Man Utd fans were more critical of the team than the ref, and rightly so.
Anyway, my memory isn't great but best last weekend of the Premier League? One relegation place still to be decided, no champions yet with the trophy hovering somewhere over the Pennines, three teams contesting the potential two remaining Champions League spots, plus the sideshow of Liverpool in midtable? Can't wait!
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Comment number 33.
At 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:I just hope the referee doesn't make a howler to decide either result, that's all I'm saying. I'm not blaming the referee, they make mistakes. Just hope Manchester City manage to clinch the title. I think most of football does.
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Comment number 34.
At 11th May 2012, charlesburgessfry wrote:When the dust settles and Manchester City have finally reached the summit (at no small expense), the post mortem will commence. Needless to say, Mr Ferguson will concede defeat with good grace but underneath he must surely be seething about the manner in which his side surrendered such a healthy lead over Everton. Champions get in front and stay in front and they failed to do so when it really mattered. However, I would not be at all surprised if Alex Ferguson surprises everyone and calls it a day. He has intimated his desire to carry on should his health permit but I think he sees what is happening at City and knows the game is up. Put simply, it has now come down to cheque books and the incumbent owners at United do not seem ready to enter the impending arms race between Sheikh Mansoor and Roman Abramovich. I predict a Chelsea win in the Champions League with John Terry having been omitted form the European Championship squad. With the long coveted Holy Grail of the Champions League, Abramovich will indulge in some serious spending to challenge for the Premier League next season. Terry will be omitted because Hodgson can hardly embark on his tenure with bad blood between players. He needs to have one leader on the pitch and it is clear that Gerrard has already received the nod. Going back to United, the departure of Ferguson will herald the dawning of a new era with the new man on a hiding to nothing following a winning streak stretching back over 20 years. It is for this reason that I don't think they will go for a "big name" a la Mourinho or Guardiola. On the contrary, I think they will seek the steely resolve of the very man whose side clawed their way back in that pivotal game against United. There is much in common between Ferguson and Moyes and the transition would make a lot of sense. Neither man takes nonsense from players although Ferguson has softened of late most notably in the way he handled the Rooney pay demand. Also, neither man knows when they are beaten which is a priceless quality for any club seeking silverware. City will clearly stick with Mancini but lessons must be learned. There have been times this season when Mancini has assumed the persona of Clouseau, the subject of the music of his namesake Henry Mancini. It would be hard to imagine either Moyes or Ferguson handling either the Tevez debacle or the Balotelli soap opera in quite the same way. To have one loose cannon is unfortunate. To have two is careless and I fear at least one must go to avoid a repeat of the disarray this season. Finally, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Di Matteo appointed full time - provided he comes back from Germany with the trophy. This is a time for pragmatism and Abramovich will have noted the extent to which his new charge has commanded the respect and attention of the dressing room in so short a time. His first big task will be to assess how much more Lampard, Terry et al have to give. However, I think he has the unflappable nature needed to acheive this transition.
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Comment number 35.
At 11th May 2012, christian81 wrote:12.At 09:54 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:
City will obviously win the title, United to draw.
Arsenal are going to get a tough time at West Brom and will finish fifth, Liverpool seventh.
Bolton to go down after losing at Stoke.
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Ah yes, the all important issue of who finishes 7th.
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Comment number 36.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#33
Actually most of football couldn't care less if City win it. It's more important to everyone that United don't, regardless of who does.
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Comment number 37.
At 11th May 2012, becks-phone-call-went-to-me wrote:22.At 10:10 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:
10.
OK, imagine this scenario. Bolton pull off a stunning victory at Stoke to give them the chance to stay up. QPR are defending brilliantly against City at 0-0. City haven't missed any chances, it's just Paddy Kenny is having the game of his life. In the last minute QPR break up the field and Cisse blatantly dives in the area with no contact being made at all. The referee gives a penalty which Rangers score and Bolton go down.
Now, tell me, whose fault is that?
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If it's 0-0 then Bolton would go down anyway unless they're destroying Stoke 15-0. Your scenario is more relevant if City are winning 1-0.
Anyway, that's an extreme but in most cases (aside from knock out ties) one mistake from the referee is just as bad from a goalkeeping howler or a striker missing an open goal. They're all human after all, stuff happens.
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Comment number 38.
At 11th May 2012, The Academy wrote:derwaldmann,
A set of players and the managers have 90+ minutes to win, lose or draw. Within that time all of them will make mistakes. Why then do some people point to a refs mistake and say it's that moment which cost us? It doesn't matter if that refs mistake was in the first or last minute only that it's the players that have the most influence but managers very rarely criticise their own players for obvious reasons so it's either the opposition or the easy target of the man in black.
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Comment number 39.
At 11th May 2012, becks-phone-call-went-to-me wrote:36.At 10:37 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:
#33
Actually most of football couldn't care less if City win it. It's more important to everyone that United don't, regardless of who does.
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Spot on. Who said people don't like change?
That said, the few true fans of football will usually acknowledge that the best team over the season deserves to win the title, regardless of who that may be. Unfortunately those are few and far between.
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Comment number 40.
At 11th May 2012, mrmancity wrote:#2 I agree, Just hope the end of season clashes are decided with good football, minimal/no diving, and no questions about goal line tech
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Comment number 41.
At 11th May 2012, derwaldmann - 22-01-2011 wrote:I genuinely hope City win it. I couldn't care less about Unitehd. Unitehd hanboys always think people have a fixation with them, I suppose that's what you get when you're successful. You think the entire footballing world revolves around you.
Come on City, they have played the best football, and deserve to bring the title back to Manchester for the first time in 44 years.
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Comment number 42.
At 11th May 2012, glorygloryfanutd wrote:I can't see beyond City winning the title now and I also can't see things changing down the bottom of the table.
I think both City and United will win on the final day which will of course mean that QPR run the risk of being relegated but I also think that Stoke will hold Bolton to a draw at the Britannia thus relegating Wanderers.
I could definitely foresee City not having things all their way given the prize of survival that QPR have to play for but ultimately I don't think that'll be quite enough to bridge the gap and City will win the title and that is coming from a United fan...
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Comment number 43.
At 11th May 2012, ChubbyPandas wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
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Comment number 44.
At 11th May 2012, dave_uk wrote:36/39
As a Spurs fan, I genuinely hope Utd win the title and City don't. So do many people I know. I've always liked the way Utd play and I deplore everything about City.
However, the one thing that grates about Utd is their fans' pathetic "ABU" persecution complex which I'm convinced exists only in their heads.
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Comment number 45.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#41
Maybe you dont but I suggest you have a look at some of the other blogs. There have been literally thousands of posts regarding how the title-race has unfolded. It's barely into double figures the ones that actually congratulate City on winning it, the rest are solely focused on United not winning it. I don't mind that though, the biggest clubs always get the biggest attention.
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Comment number 46.
At 11th May 2012, The Trawler wrote:Personally I find the MotD slice and splice job on the last day a bit embarrassing usually. It doesn't add to the drama at all, it takes it away and leaves an empty soulless shell. It would be far better to choose the game that was most pivotal, that had the most electric atmosphere, and then to use the commentary to inform the big picture, maybe using a small screen in the corner to show goals from the other key games. The problem obviously is that they can't show much more than 10 minutes of any one game anyway, so they aren't interested in the atmosphere that much to start with.
As far as not knowing the results goes, if my team has been in action I'll always know the result and a few others besides, either from being at the match or from texts or from watching it on tele or whatever. But if my team hasn't been playing then I'm at least as likely to not know any scores as I am likely. Following all the nonsense talking heads on tele and radio is not compulsory you know.
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Comment number 47.
At 11th May 2012, Lazarus wrote:Anyone who thinks referees can't decide games have obviously never seen Mick Russell "officiate" at a match.
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Comment number 48.
At 11th May 2012, becks-phone-call-went-to-me wrote:44.At 10:56 11th May 2012, dave_uk wrote:
36/39
As a Spurs fan, I genuinely hope Utd win the title and City don't. So do many people I know. I've always liked the way Utd play and I deplore everything about City.
However, the one thing that grates about Utd is their fans' pathetic "ABU" persecution complex which I'm convinced exists only in their heads.
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The only thing I can say to that is read some of the comments on various blogs. Also, if you're so inclined, check your facebook home feed and twitter on Sunday afternoon. In a lot of cases, fans care more about gloating a United failure than praising their own team's victory.
You'll argue most United fans are arrogant and myopic about their team's success, but the envy of other fans is just as prevalent. The number of Liverpool and Arsenal fans that have adopted City as their team of choice this season is alarming. Just goes to show the shallow nature of football tribalism I suppose.
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Comment number 49.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:Stop complaining, your team is average and for all the money youve spent.. is lightyears behind City....
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Zero points is 'lightyears' behind? How far behind are everyone else then?
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Comment number 50.
At 11th May 2012, becks-phone-call-went-to-me wrote:49.At 11:02 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:
Stop complaining, your team is average and for all the money youve spent.. is lightyears behind City....
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Zero points is 'lightyears' behind? How far behind are everyone else then?
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Ever heard the saying there's no point preaching to the deaf? Seems pretty apt in this instance. Don't waste your energy on such bitter people.
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Comment number 51.
At 11th May 2012, Fred Crellin wrote:The way I see it only two scenarios are possible regarding QPR. If they draw, they are safe. If they lose, City are Champions. Simple.
Now that I've had the chance to scan through some of your other comments above, I thought I'd add my 'tenpenneth' worth.
1. News that if Chelsea win the CL, there will be 5 English clubs in the competition can only make Sunday even more enthralling with 2 from 3 guaranteed to qualify automatically.
2. United new shirt... Oh Dear!! HAHAHAHAHA! I can just hear it now on away terraces as far as UTD fans are concerned..... chants of 'your team's wearing a
@$%*ing tablecloth!' . I believe next season is going to be no picnic for Utd, on or off the pitch!
3. What might happen on Sunday? OK, here's one for all you scenario headline writers. City Leading 1-0 going into injury time. Utd drawing 1-1 also going into injury time. Utd have an ashtonishing 6 minutes (when the game has barely stopped and played at breakneck speed). City game has a more conservative 3 minutes. SWP comes on, nutmegs his old mate Richards and calmly slots the ball between Harts legs for the equalliser. Giggs turns round a defender on the edge of the box, takes a shot at goal (thats going miles wide), takes the most wicked deflection sending the Sunderland keeper completely the wrong way and the ball trickles over the line.... last kick of the game.
Believe me, as a City fan, I've woken up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night worrying about this one.... in my experience this has happened in reality too many times....
But surely City not WINNING at home is utterly unthinkable, isn't it??
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Comment number 52.
At 11th May 2012, Don Patricio wrote:36.At 10:37 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:
#33
Actually most of football couldn't care less if City win it. It's more important to everyone that United don't, regardless of who does.
____________________________________________________
Must agree wholeheartedly with that, but as I've said before, it should be seen as a back handed compliment by United fans.
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Comment number 53.
At 11th May 2012, Emma wrote:When it comes down to which team really wants something a lot more than the others, who would be more desperate?
A team on the verge of clinching the title, knowing that if it doesn't quite work out, they would at worst finish 2nd & still be in the Premiership plus Champions League OR
A team needing to get something from their last game in order just to remain in the Premiership knowing that if they don't, it's goodbye see you in the Championship?
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Comment number 54.
At 11th May 2012, ChubbyPandas wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
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Comment number 55.
At 11th May 2012, racemanracer wrote:@34 best post so far - would suggest breathing betwen writing tho
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Comment number 56.
At 11th May 2012, Collycini - Would like curly hair too wrote:51. Cityairbrush
1. News that if Chelsea win the CL, there will be 5 English clubs in the competition can only make Sunday even more enthralling with 2 from 3 guaranteed to qualify automatically.
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Incorrect. If Chelsea win the Champions League only third place qualifies via the league, which makes Sunday and the final all the more interesting!
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Comment number 57.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#52
Exactly, hence why I don't mind. It's when no-one cares anymore that you know there's problems.
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Comment number 58.
At 11th May 2012, racemanracer wrote:@12
3 words in your post stand out as nonsense, obviously, Liverpool and seventh. Yours is by far the worst post so far - not surprising tho
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Comment number 59.
At 11th May 2012, Fred Crellin wrote:@56
I'm sure I heard on Radio 5 this morning that if Chelsea win, there will be 5 clubs entering.... Apologies if I misheard, but will research this further....
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Comment number 60.
At 11th May 2012, The Trawler wrote:43 firstly if you think mocking City's new love affair with buying success is all United can have a go at City over then you clearly haven't got the first clue what you're talking about
secondly, your point in block capitals is ill-informed nonsense of the type I'd fully expect from Arsenal's new 25,000 ashburton grove types
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Comment number 61.
At 11th May 2012, becks-phone-call-went-to-me wrote:59.At 11:21 11th May 2012, CityAirbrush wrote:
@56
I'm sure I heard on Radio 5 this morning that if Chelsea win, there will be 5 clubs entering.... Apologies if I misheard, but will research this further....
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Is it not 3 clubs plus Chelsea. I remember Liverpool having this issue in 2005 which led to UEFA changing the rules to avoid a repeat happening.
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Comment number 62.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#59
Only four clubs can enter. If Chelsea win the Champions League then whoever finishes 4th in the Premier League are heading into the Europa League.
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Comment number 63.
At 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:@44
As a Liverpool fan, I genuinely hope City win the title and United don't. So do many people I know. I've always liked the way City play and I deplore everything about United.
The ABU phenomenon is quite real. With players like Young and Evra, the fickle fans, and the most deplorable manager in the game, it's perfectly justified :o)
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Comment number 64.
At 11th May 2012, racemanracer wrote:@63
I think I would take Young, Evra, all the money that comes with having the largest fan base on the planet and Fergie at Queen Of The South over an over-rated player who thinks there is nothing wrong with racist abuse and a manager that condones such behaviour!!
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Comment number 65.
At 11th May 2012, becks-phone-call-went-to-me wrote:64.At 11:32 11th May 2012, racemanracer wrote:
@63
I think I would take Young, Evra, all the money that comes with having the largest fan base on the planet and Fergie at Queen Of The South over an over-rated player who thinks there is nothing wrong with racist abuse and a manager that condones such behaviour!!
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Don't feed the troll. You're only giving it what it wants. Poor man's Patches...
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Comment number 66.
At 11th May 2012, Collycini - Would like curly hair too wrote:Surely 'Liverpool fan hates Man Utd' is hardly news? Most clubs have abhorrent players (Newcastle excluded of course...), I don't dislike Man Utd more than anyone else really and don't have any issues with the slightly more mellow Fergie these days. In fact Liverpool this year seem to have gone out of their way this season to go right down in my estimations more than anyone else.
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Comment number 67.
At 11th May 2012, christian81 wrote:63.At 11:26 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:
@44
As a Liverpool fan, I genuinely hope City win the title and United don't. So do many people I know. I've always liked the way City play and I deplore everything about United.
The ABU phenomenon is quite real. With players like Young and Evra, the fickle fans, and the most deplorable manager in the game, it's perfectly justified :o)
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I think Dalglish may have overtaken Fergie on the deplorable stakes this season. I'd always had the utmost respect for Dalglish before the current campaign, but his handling of the Suarez issue along with his general demeanour in most of his interviews and press conferences has been painful to watch.
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Comment number 68.
At 11th May 2012, ChubbyPandas wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
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Comment number 69.
At 11th May 2012, PaulusKeg wrote:I think City will win 2-0 against QPR, but I also think Bolton will beat stoke 2-1 nrmally it would be a draw but as Bolton need to win to avoid relegation they will play slightly better and sneak the result.
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Comment number 70.
At 11th May 2012, thoughtfulphil wrote:Why are all of the final games played on a Sunday? Couldn't they all just kick off at 3pm on a Saturday or is there some contractual issue with televising live football at this time?
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Comment number 71.
At 11th May 2012, U15001102 wrote:Will be interesting to see the last games.....
Heart says qpr will get something and utd win (will make a cheeky bet).
Head says city will hammer qpr and clinch their first EPL title in style!
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Comment number 72.
At 11th May 2012, PaulusKeg wrote:Why people complain so much against Sureaz for calling somoneone black (negro is black in spainish is beyound me). Terry who is english seems to have been allowed to get away with much worse abuse by going down the legal route not the FA mikey mouse court.
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Comment number 73.
At 11th May 2012, dave_uk wrote:66. Spot on. Liverpool fans are exempt from ABU syndrome. And Dalglish is a dinosaur.
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Comment number 74.
At 11th May 2012, WonkySight wrote:I'd like City to win the league, QPR to go down, Arsenal 3rd, Tottenham 4th and Liverpool to finish above Everton
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Comment number 75.
At 11th May 2012, U15001102 wrote:13.At 09:59 11th May 2012, repo wrote:
9.At 09:47 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:
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Hey
Is that new Man Utd kit for real , or is it a wind up ?
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For real...........I don't think I'll be purchasing one. It's a bit ghastly isn't it. Mind you, the LFC one is not much better IMO.
It's supposed to be remembering the history of the cotton industry in Manchester.
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Comment number 76.
At 11th May 2012, The Academy wrote:72: Terry is going to court which will no doubt be followed then by the FA ruling on it.
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Comment number 77.
At 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:@68
Totally agree about United's fans. The only reason they follow them is because they are champions already - we will see what happens to their support once City begin to dominate.
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Comment number 78.
At 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:Shame about the United kit :o) Liverpool's new Warrior kit is pretty decent though.
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Comment number 79.
At 11th May 2012, racemanracer wrote:@63 and the only reason you thing Fergie is deplorable is because he is the greatest manager the world has seen and as a Liverpool fan you hate the fact that his acheivements have meant that Man Utd have eclipsed Liverpools success. Which in turn has meant that Liverpool no longer sit at the top table and have to make do with Mickey Mouse Cups as well as the rest of the scraps the big boys throw at you.
Ohh and you'll find Starfish Stevie and Suerez would put Tom Daley to shame
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Comment number 80.
At 11th May 2012, JoshG wrote:Well i hope City win the title
Arsenal 3rd, Newcastle 4th
Chelsea to lose against Bayern Munich
Bolton stay up and QPR relegated...................
Oh and Swansea to beat Liverpool :D
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Comment number 81.
At 11th May 2012, U15001102 wrote:68.At 11:36 11th May 2012, ChubbyPandas wrote:
@60 I dont really care about the United City rivalry, just seems United fans are clutching at straws. If they manage to pull it off and City drop points I cannot imagine the amount of abuse every football fan would recieve.
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Heard it all before in 2004 when Roman's millions bought Chelsea the league......then in 2005 it was all talk of "end of an empire", "utd not a force anymore", "fergie to go etc".......we preceded to win EPL 3/4 years, and a CL. I predict the same for Fergie's swansong before he passes the reigns to Mr Mourinho.
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Comment number 82.
At 11th May 2012, PaulusKeg wrote:I don't condone what sureaz did but I think he is not alone and the FA wanted to make him an example. Yet every week you have players bad mouthing refs yet not even getting a card for it.
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Comment number 83.
At 11th May 2012, Don Patricio wrote:75.At 11:42 11th May 2012, eduard_streltsov_ghost wrote:
Mind you, the LFC one is not much better IMO.
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Maybe so, but the deal was a key factor in our successful season :)
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Comment number 84.
At 11th May 2012, Rob04 wrote:For the sake of the United Kingdoms sanity, I hope City win.
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Nothing to do with the UK as a whole. Just the EPL part.
we will see what happens to their support once City begin to dominate.
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At first people in Surrey will move to combi (half blue and half red) tops that will emphasise the domination of Manchester as the English home of football wealth!
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Comment number 85.
At 11th May 2012, Collycini - Would like curly hair too wrote:77.At 11:45 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:
@68
Totally agree about United's fans. The only reason they follow them is because they are champions already - we will see what happens to their support once City begin to dominate.
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How childish, especially from someone who supports the successful team in a two club city. Of course Man Utd have glory fans, but so do everyone else, including Newcastle who haven't won anything of note in my lifetime.
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Comment number 86.
At 11th May 2012, U15001102 wrote:83.At 11:56 11th May 2012, cashforhonours wrote:
75.At 11:42 11th May 2012, eduard_streltsov_ghost wrote:
Mind you, the LFC one is not much better IMO.
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Maybe so, but the deal was a key factor in our successful season :)
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Hahaha yeah exactly!! Kenny would be proud next season to see the team run out in their new kit.
If they improve next season, it would no doubt be as a direct result of their fancy new shirts! ;)
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Comment number 87.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:I dont think United fans have been this challenged for a long time, they need to get used to it.
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Really? When Chelsea looked like dominating a few years back they were winning titles by double digit points, not goal difference.
It's also interesting to see that apparently it's only United that City will be 'dominating'. Seemingly the other 18 teams have already thrown the towel in and waved a white flag.
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Comment number 88.
At 11th May 2012, 19ncounting wrote:Oh god i just love the sooo called united spending myth..please have a look...... and then make stupid assumptions...bar this season united have spent an average of 25mil per season in the last few years...now if you compare that with CITEH...they have brought players in spending 100mil + in the last few years...this is where the argument lies...United fans dont say that they have spent yes they have but all the spending has been done on a budget...you say united bought the likes of wayne rooney, ferdinand and berbatove for 30 mil each...well that was the one major signing in each season...UNLIKE CITEH who have spent four times as much in one season!!!... FREE TO HAVE A LOOK
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Comment number 89.
At 11th May 2012, U15001102 wrote:82.At 11:55 11th May 2012, PalusKeg wrote:
I don't condone what sureaz did but I think he is not alone and the FA wanted to make him an example. Yet every week you have players bad mouthing refs yet not even getting a card for it.
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What stops the referees from booking a player for foul / abusive language? They're perfectly entitled to do so........
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Comment number 90.
At 11th May 2012, 19ncounting wrote:*LINK FOR CITEH SPENDING
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Comment number 91.
At 11th May 2012, The Trawler wrote:82 true. andy carrol even went head to head with the ref in the semi-final iirc and wasn't sent off
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Comment number 92.
At 11th May 2012, The Trawler wrote:68 that's odd, because your previous post was very specific. as I say, you clearly don't know anything about United/City rivalry so why people like you think you've got a valid opinion on it is anybody's guess
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Comment number 93.
At 11th May 2012, coreynz wrote:city have got it more chance of man ure losing. congrates to the ulcers a title well bought and all it has taken is back to back and soon to be back again world record loses keep up the good work...
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Comment number 94.
At 11th May 2012, Dave Manchester wrote:I can see it now - 90 minutes on the clock, Bolton winning by 2 goals, Man City one up and it seems we're staying in the EPL.
Then, in the final moment of injury time, QPR will score, and we're in the Championship next season.
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Comment number 95.
At 11th May 2012, dogeared wrote:@79
The reasons I find Ferguson deplorable are too numerous to list.
The example that comes to mind however is when that journalist dared to cross him and he was then heard whispering how he would arrange to have him banned.
This clip says everything you need to know about Ferguson.
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Comment number 96.
At 11th May 2012, monty-c wrote:this final day isn't quite as dramatic as the final but was best ending to season ever, this season final could more in if qpr beat the odds and keep them up by taking the from city or both spurs and arsenal collapse to secure then champions league football for first time nine year. you can't any these thing happening so this could be the most socked I have ever been on a final day.
as Newcastle fan I hope we can finish in the top 4
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Comment number 97.
At 11th May 2012, ChubbyPandas wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
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Comment number 98.
At 11th May 2012, Garth Crooks needs a sedative wrote:As an Arsenal fan, I'm absolutely terrified. Granted, Newcastle at Everton will probably draw, but I just have this feeling that Chelsea are going to win it in Munich, and so we have to win at the Hawthorns. Without Arteta. And we haven't won a game all season without Arteta. All I can hope is that Martin Jol spoils the party at his old club. Pog to score a hat-trick? Bit far-fetched I suppose...
Although, being in the Europa League might help us. We might actually win it for a change.
As for the title race and relegation stuff, I'd just love for City to win it. Mancini deserves it just for his shameless mind games. And there's always some drama on the last day relegation-wise, so I'm plumping for Bolton to win at Stoke and send QPR down. One less tricky London derby for us next season...OH WAIT WEST HAM.
Fantastic.
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Comment number 99.
At 11th May 2012, Weallfollowunited wrote:#95
So does his trophy record. And regardless of what else he's done, that's what hurts you the most.
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Comment number 100.
At 11th May 2012, The Trawler wrote:87 good point. all these tin-pot clubs should be grateful that at least United can still match city. trust me, United will quickly close any gap that opens, whereas the likes of the 1990 league champions will be waiting a long long time for the title race to come back down to their level.
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