Rovers were unlucky to not receive a penalty late in the 2nd hosting Wigan which might have seen a different result. Still, they couldn’t create much, looked regularly insecure out back, and the failure to get up to a corner inside the last 10 put them to rest. The final curtain in EPL was met with a new level of abuse towards manager Kean, pelted with tennis balls after the whistle by supposed fans with ‘Kean out’ all over them. They’re 1 win the last 7 and while Chelsea will likely run some back up its unlikely Blackburn can come upbeat here.
Chelsea didn’t front Wednesday vs Liverpool and after Essien put one in his own goal at the end of the 1st quarter Liverpool raided to such effect they were done 10 minutes later at 0-3. They were off the FA Cup triumph Sunday but such was the thumping at Anfield you’d suspect they’d given up making CL next year via the orthodox manner. Sixth is now their lot, albeit 5th by the ‘ASAP Power Rankings’ and they’ll be solely focused on lowering Bayern in the CL final at Munich later next week. It means they’ll come to this risk averse and experimenting but they’d still have too much.
Chelsea by 2

Newcastle were seen as City’s final hurdle on their way to EPL glory but they couldn’t get their feet on it early. When it opened up some the 2nd only desperate defending held them but they couldn’t defend a super strike and conceded a 2nd as they chased it. They’re locked for the 8 but remain a shot at top 4 if either of Arsenal or Tottenham get beat, even top 3 if both go down. They’ve struggled a touch since the 6 straight and given they were beaten hosting this in November and have gone down 8 the road Europa might be their lot.
Amazingly Everton wasted all their chances hosting Wolves, several point blank. Defensively they looked as secure as usual but they’ll be gutted with that one putting as it does a triumphant last 3rd of the season at risk. Although as low as 16 on the ladder early on they’re now 7th, unbeaten 8 (4 wins), but still vulnerable to Liverpool and Fulham for the 8 if they don’t win this. It’ll be some day at Goodison and while it may not prove essential the ‘Ratings’ indicate they add to their 9 wins hosting.
Everton by 1

A late Cisse strike off a cross got QPR up hosting Stoke ironically almost at the same time as Bolton conceded to only manage a draw with WBA thereby keeping QPR alive. Just a draw here would allow the latter to stay, a loss leaves them vulnerable to a Bolton win over Stoke. As with all the newly promoted they’ve done remarkably well to all but nail it particularly given the opponents they’ve been forced to navigate late season. They’re 5 wins the last 9 to keep breathing and they include; Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. They’ll likely stack the rear in the hope of hanging on and its probably too much to ask but not necessarily the end.
City played conservative but locked the middle 1st half visiting Newcastle. Manger Mancini moved Toure to float on attack from the middle in the 2nd and they were rewarded by the latter’s brilliant strike from outside the box with a quarter left and scored again late. They really put some body down defensively, the difference in fact. All they need to do here is win and they’re the Champions, 1st time in 44 years. They’re 5 straight and 17 from 18 hosting. They’ll know QPR and former Man U legend and manager Hughes will bring everything and are capable but, even though they were pushed to 3-2 visiting in this, they’re difficult to oppose given what’s at stake. It’ll be about nerves if they come undone.
Manchester City by 3

Villa got yet another draw, this time a huge point against Spurs. With GK Given outstanding again, they led on a deflection in the 35th but although numerically advantaged when Spurs were reduced to 10, their stupid challenge in the box allowed the draw. The point earned put them safe from the R-zone after they’ve fiddled with it the last 6 weeks. They’re 16th, 3 wins the road and 10 draws, and while the relief might flow over to performance here they’re not much good.
Norwich took their free flowing style to Arsenal overcoming an early deficit to make the break 2-1 and although van Persie broke them twice the sub Morison evened it late. They’ve done well to secure their 1st season, even had a look at the 8 on accessions, the last time at round 25. The reality of the big league has kicked in though and they’re just 2 wins since, albeit they created more than Arsenal at their last. They’ve looked more effective going forward than Villa and while the style exposes them at times they’ll be keen to thank Carrow Road in style and vice versa.
Norwich by 1

Bolton let the result slip hosting West Brom after putting themselves on the pole, Petrov from the spot 24 minutes in, and then doubling in the 72nd before allowing 2 late. How it came to this is because they’ve spent more time in the R-zone than out of it all season and while the 3 straight a few back gave them chances including that last, they’ve only 1 left. That’s win this and hope QPR get rolled by City. The issues are they’re 1 win the last 7, conceding 15 the period, and went 0-5 in this when hosting. Still Stoke are battling some of late and with only a few ducats resting on this for them Bolton should at least bring the urgency.
Stoke failed to take their chances visiting QPR and were punished late for poor defence with little riding on it, but huge for the winner. Similarly here its their opponent which has everything to play for. It marked their 4th loss the last 10 (1 win), and they’ve petered out to 14th the table, 15th the ‘ASAP Power Rankings’ after the European campaign bit, this their 55th outing of the season. Still they too will want to thanks the fans and with Bolton chasing it the ‘Ratings’ indicate they finish with a win.
Stoke by 1

Sunderland offered little counter as host Fulham surged on them last week and although quite well organised out back conceded twice. Any hopes of Europe were ended by the 3 previous draws and a rather so so season could yet see them finish lower than their current 11th spot. They’ve the type of defence which could frustrate Man U but you’d be surprised to see them win even with the visitor chasing it.
United scored twice 1st half (Scholes and Young) hosting Swansea in search of a big margin to lower the PD with City but ran out of sting having just witnessed the latter lower Newcastle. That 4-4 draw hosting Everton two back has proved crushing for Man U and all they can do now is win this and hope QPR pull another rabbit on City. They went 8 weeks straight at No 1 prior to the Everton draw after trailing the earlier part of the season. They won this hosting, have won 12 of 18 the road (3 losses), and the ‘Ratings’ indicate they tip the home ad.
Manchester United by 1

Forced back regularly Swansea weren’t able to find much of their run visiting Man U and while they responded better after going to the break 0-2, they were easily held. It’s some exhibition they’ve put up in their first season playing really upbeat football particularly at home (7 wins from 18) but struggling at times away. They’re another newcomer doing it tough at the back end, 1 win the last 8, but they’ll be wanting to light up Liberty and you wouldn’t second guess anything against Liverpool.
The latter dominated Chelsea mid week despite missing their 7th penalty from 11 this season. It was led by Carroll (benched for the 1st hour in the FA Cup) and Agger (2). Of course Chelsea were half hearted after the 1st goal (an owner) given they’d grabbed the FA Cup the previous Saturday over Liverpool and have the CL final coming. Still when they find their mark Liverpool can deliver stunning goals. Its not a must win, a draw would see them hold the 8, but a loss leaves them vulnerable to a Fulham win. They got to this extraordinary situation courtesy of their own arrogance towards inferior opponents having gone down to QPR, Wigan, WBA and Fulham in their last 9 and they wouldn’t want to present similarly disrespectful here.
Draw

Another terrific Dempsey strike, a free kick, put Fulham in front of Sunderland in the 12th minute and although they conceded quickly, Dembele went in soon after and they ran it down. It keeps them alive for the eight, 9th all numbers. A win would do it if either of Liverpool or Everton can’t win. A draw gets them in as well if Liverpool lose. Between the 3 they’d be the least favoured and at 9 losses the road, and given they went 0-3 hosting this, 9th might be their lot.
Spurs dominated visiting Villa but were forced to come from behind and a man down (Rose-red) when a big deflection in the 35th wrong footed the GK. Adebayor’s penalty evened it but they’d be disappointed, reflective of the 2012 part of season as they struggle for goals. For all that they’ve done enough lately to find the edge of the 4, now 4th all numbers. This is a must win though as 4th doesn’t guarantee CL if Chelsea win the CL, and they’d make 3rd if Arsenal only drew, and further, they’d miss out altogether if they lost and Newcastle won. The ‘Ratings’ indicate full security is all about Arsenal.
Tottenham by 1

West Brom scored twice late to further cruel Bolton’s relegation avoidance hopes after spending much of it on the run in the face of the hosts desire. There’s nothing in this for West Brom but they hold the keys for Arsenal. They’ve finished strongly, 3 wins, 2 draws the last 6, and had a look at the 8, the 2 draws costing. They went down by 3 visiting Emirates and while they’d like to deliver a win at The Hawthorns farewelling manager and new England coach Hodgson, they’ve only done that 6 times (9 losses). Their hope is if the nerves bite on the Gunners.
Arsenal failed to put away a determined Norwich side at Emirates. After leading early via Benayoun, they slowed and were stunned by 2 good Norwich goals before van Persie responded with 2 of his own. Indecision out back throughout allowed the equaliser. That’s 3 draws straight which is why they’re still flat out earning their keep. They hold 3rd but are vulnerable to wins from Tottenham and Newcastle if they don’t win themselves. Add that they’ve lost 7 on the road and there’s nothing certain about this other than they’ll be sweating it. They’d bring some confidence from the November 3-0 hosting but the ‘Ratings’ mark it even.
Draw

Although the 0-0 vs Everton delivered Wolves one of their best results recent months they again looked average going forward, saved by woeful finishing from the Everton strikers. Of course that’s the way. Since being relegated their standard has lifted marginally and they’d also drawn Swansea on the road their previous as some with potential look to catch the eye. Still they’re No 20 nearly all numbers including the worst defence in the league which might be tested here by a recently free scoring and celebrating Wigan side.
The latter looked content to take a draw visiting Blackburn, too nervy on their chances and fortunate to survive a penalty shout. But when Alcarez rose highest late off a corner it secured their EPL slot. A remarkable achievement after spending 27 weeks in the R-zone, 12 of them at 20th until 2 months back. Since then they’ve lowered Liverpool, Stoke, Man U, Newcastle, Arsenal and now Blackburn to seal it. That period they’ve scored 14 goals to 6, are up to 15th, and will be looking to deliver again here in front of the fans who were away when they saved it.
Wigan by 1