Every league season is always defined by some pivotal moments in them. Whether it is a last-gasp goal, a battling win, a controversial decision or even a shock result, there are always some weekends that stand out in the context of a league battle. This could have been that weekend.
On paper the bottom of the table was where the critical games could be found. As it turned out, both the top and the bottom of the table saw crucial results.
Saturday saw the battle at the bottom ignite. With 5 teams scrambling for two survival places, the proverbial relegation 6 pointer saw QPR travel to the Reebok to take on Bolton. This was a game that will not be remembered for the football quality but for a massive error from a linesman who could well have sealed the fate of QPR this season. Clint Hill sent a header goal-bound and every person in the stadium was aware that the ball had crossed the line before keeper Adam Bogdan clawed it back. Or so it seemed. Incredibly the man that mattered suffered a bout of short-sightedness and left Mark Hughes apoplectic on the touchline. Inevitably Bolton would go on to claim all three points with a late winner and leave QPR in a very precarious position with some un-enviable fixtures to come. This was a game that could be pivotal when the table is viewed on May 13th.
Another of the so-called 6 pointers at the base of the league took place between Wolves and Blackburn, two of the bottom five, at Molineux. With Wolves boss Terry Connor, looking for his first win since he took over, the pressure was really on. It was the man who’s had the weight of his fans on his shoulders all season long, Steve Kean who would prevail in this one. Two Junior Hoilett goals gave Blackburn a vital three points to pull them three clear of QPR and Wolves, and four clear of bottom placed Wigan who could only draw at Norwich. The bottom of the table has really begun to take shape this weekend, with Bolton and Blackburn on the right end of the result.
Saturday also saw the fight for fourth continue, with Roberto Di Matteo taking charge of his first Premier League game since his interim appointment at Chelsea. It turned into a nervy 1-0 win against ten-man Stoke to draw level on points with fourth placed Arsenal, who don’t play til Monday. This also placed the attention on third placed Spurs, who took on Everton at Goodison Park in the teat-time kick off, looking to arrest their alarming slide towards their London rivals. Sadly for Harry Redknapps’ men, they became the latest victims in Evertons’ revival and leaves them bang in the fight to cling on to a Champions League spot, which has looked a certainty all year long.
As Sunday afternoon came around, all eyes fell on the battle of Manchester at the summit of the Premier League. With both teams kicking off at the same time, and both widely tipped to win, this could have been an afternoon not worthy of mention. In contrast, it will be one of the big talking points when the trophy is lifted in May. City travelled to Swansea, which has been a notoriously tough trip this year, one point clear of United who hosted West Brom at Old Trafford. In truth, United cruised to victory while City were played off the park by a very talented and determined Swansea side at the Liberty. Having missed a penalty, it looked like Swansea were going to allow Manchester City to save a point, until Luke Moore scored what could prove to be a pivotal goal to hand all three points to the Swans. At Old Trafford, the loudest cheer of the day was reserved for when the news filtered through from the Liberty Stadium. The results saw United top the league at the end of the weekend and they are the side with the easier fixtures on paper than their cross-city rivals.
Whatever happens at the end of the season, the weekend of the 10th, 11th and 12th of May could be crucial in the final shake up. Giving United a lead is a dangerous business at this stage of the season, while Arsenal could close the gap on North London rivals Spurs to just a point by beating Newcastle tomorrow. At the bottom, Blackburn and Bolton may look back at these days as the points that helped keep them up. Whoever wins and whoever is relegated, this may have been the turning point weekend.
