Congratulations to Manchester United for winning the Premier League title on the final day of the season, which was full of drama. United had beaten Wigan 2-0 at the JJB, while nearest rivals Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 home draw against Bolton at Stamford Bridge. United finished top of the table with 87 points, two ahead of Chelsea with 85.
A special mention goes to Ryan Giggs, who equalled club legend Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 758 appearances- a stunning achievement for a man who spent his entire career at one club, an extreme rarity these days. It’s not over yet for these two teams as they both have to contest the European Champions’ League final in Moscow later this month.
At the bottom of the table, I was happy that Fulham stayed up on goal difference, after beating FA Cup finalists Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park, but was disappointed to see two good teams, Reading and Birmingham City, relegated, despite recording big wins against Derby County and Blackburn respectively.
Derby has set the record of getting the lowest points total of any team in a Premiership season- eleven– they were just completely awful. They conceded 89 goals, and won just once all season. That bet earned me some money from the bookies, to make up for losing a lot of smaller bets throughout the season.
Now I’ve put on a bet on which of the promoted sides become next season’s whipping boys. I was lucky this time, surely lighting couldn’t strike twice- could it?