A battle in the north: win was the only way Hull could even contemplate survival and hope Newcastle don’t. Manchester United and West Ham played supporting roles in what would be a traumatic 90 minutes for all connected with the two sides in trouble. A veteran in the game, Steve Bruce, against an enthusiastic newcomer in John Carver. Both in charge of sides desperate for something to go their way, two wins in 10 in the deciding last three months of the season put Hull in need of a favour elsewhere. Newcastle picking up one point in 10 heading into the last day meant their fate headed to the last day after being comfortably in mid-table. Two sides, who deserve to be down where they are after disastrous seasons, knew one would perish, but who felt the pain of relegation?
HULL RELEGATED
As it proved, Hull left themselves too much to do as they couldn’t keep up their end of the deal to be able to survive. As it has proved too often this season, Hull fired a blank and despite the numerous chances, forwards in abundance and moment of madness from Marouane Fellaini to get sent off with ten minutes to go. £21 million spent on strikers in the past two seasons was not evident in the goal tally produced with Nikica Jelavic ending top goal scorer with eight goals, despite long injury in the second half of the season. Dame N’Doye added a spark when he arrived in January and looked to be the answer but tailed off and had a lack of support with Abel Hernandez struggling in the second half of the season. The sale of Shane Long seemed to bite the Tigers as their need of an experienced Premier League forward was sold to Southampton in the summer for profit. Their defence funnily enough was the best with West Brom in the bottom eight, which made up for the severe lack of goals, but it couldn’t completely dampen the issue as it proved to be their downfall. A good display from United keeper Victor Valdes didn’t help but so many chances were put wide or just missed by Hull players as Robbie Brady’s superb service all game couldn’t be latched on from set pieces and open play. It was a sorry end for Steve Bruce who looked a tired man come the final whistle as he sank in the news Newcastle had delivered the result they needed. Whether he’ll stay is another matter as the war between fans and owner over the name of the club seemed to hinder the second half of Hull’s season which catapulted them into danger and in the end relegation.
From North West to North East and a jubilant Toon Army in the Tyne as a 2-0 win sealed safety with a romantic like moment for Jonas Gutierrez. It was the performance that Newcastle fans had been awaiting and expecting from players fighting not just for the club’s survival, but their stay at the club. John Carver’s desperation for star men to show desire and passion in the end came to fruition, but a club like Newcastle United should never be going into the last day in a relegation fight. Fittingly, Gutierrez was the man to put the game beyond West Ham and achieve safety for Newcastle. Battling through testicular cancer, he led Newcastle to battle off relegation and was the inspirational leader that had been missing in Newcastle losing eight straight games. Now safe, a manager and players that can match the expectations of such a prestigious club and provide the owner Mike Ashley with the trophy he wants to consider leaving. As for West Ham, Sam Allardyce was remarkably sacked just four minutes after the side’s defeat and was made to pay for a sharp decline in form in the New Year after such an impressive first half. Their last season at Upton Park is next and Premier League football is imperative in the Olympic Stadium, this appointment will be the most important decision yet for owners David Gold and Sullivan.
As for me, I spent the last day of the Premier League at the Emirates as Arsenal’s warm-up for the FA Cup final pitted them against West Brom. Arsenal had gone three home games without a goal and had been below par and unlucky in front of goal in recent games. So starting Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere seemed to add new dimension to the team who wasted no time in getting ready for Wembley. An outstanding first half from Arsenal to brush aside a team fresh off toppling champions Chelsea on Monday night. A 34 minute Theo Walcott hat-trick along with a blinder from Wilshere put the game to bed by half-time. Walcott was superb, using his pace to full effect, showing skill and striker’s instinct to send a message to Arsene Wenger. Contract talks were hot on agenda again and Raheem Sterling was being rumoured in North London, so Walcott showing form he was producing before his long-term injury. This performance must mean he starts next week, with or without Giroud is another question. The options Wenger has in midfield is ridiculous and whatever he decides it will be full of quality and talent, but Walcott must be a starter at Wembley. As for their opponents, a home defeat to Burnley meant Aston Villa ended 17th, the signs of another miserable season just about salvaged by Tim Sherwood. Christian Benteke led them to safety and a fairytale cup final, this result shouldn’t put Villa any further unlikely to win at Wembley as cup finals aren’t determined by form. I’ll be there to watch, as you’d guess as an Arsenal fan; to be at an FA Cup final is just a dream come true, but an Arsenal win would help.
Elsewhere, Liverpool suffered their heaviest defeat in 50 years as they were pummelled, embarrassed and humiliated on Steven Gerrard’s departing game. A 6-1 loss the final saw in a dreadfully disappointing season for the Reds after last year’s title challenge. From 2nd to 6th and 52 to 10 goals from forwards is just a smidge of a tough summer ahead. With Gerrard gone and the Sterling saga set to run on, signings need to settle and Brendan Rodgers’ future needs to be considered. No trophies in his time so far and despite hurtful injuries and departures, Liverpool are in danger of falling dangerously from grace. Spurs jumped into 5th as Young Player of the Year Harry Kane scored his 21st league goal of the season in a breakthrough campaign which only puts expectations on his second season to be just as good. Southampton finished 7th and will attain European football if Arsenal win at Wembley. They were losers in Frank Lampard’s final Premier League game, in which he suitably scored in a 2-0 win. City end second but that doesn’t cover a disappointing season with not trophies and a title challenge that collapsed in the closing months. Manuel Pellegrini’s future isn’t certified, especially with Carol Ancelotti sacked by Real Madrid and Jurgen Klopp a free man too. Players may be in and out of the Etihad also with Yaya Toure a man heavily linked with a move away.
Southampton are one of many teams who can be proud of their seasons and went far beyond predictions and expectations. Record points tallies and finishes for Swansea and Crystal Palace in the top flight highlight the superb jobs of Garry Monk and Alan Pardew, particularly after the debacle at Newcastle in his time in charge. Stoke City were consistently good throughout the season as Mark Hughes develops the once long-ball specialists to a team filled with flair and grit who can more than match the big boys. But, the side who will be looked at as defying odds will be Leicester City. Seven points from safety in mid-March, a run of seven wins in nine with only Chelsea bettering their form in the end of the season run-in. Only Chelsea beat Leicester as Nigel Pearson somehow transformed a side starved of goals, to one who finished winning 5-1 against hapless QPR. Leicester have been arguably one of the best sides in terms of performance this season, but luck and goals were missing. Their run to survival is one of the greatest in Premier League history and proves that spirit, determination and drive can be successful as shown with Jamie Vardy’s England call-up.
That’s it for another season which Chelsea commandingly won. No doubt the others will improve and pose stronger threats to Jose Mourinho’s team in what could be the most competitive season to date. Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich City after a great play-off final win join the party which comes to life in August. The Sport Space Awards will be next to mark the stand-out moments and players from another unpredictable Premier League season, as for ‘The Review’, see you in August!
Sam Tonks
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