THE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS WILL BE...........?

Chelsea have it in their hands to win the Premier League with two games left.But they have to play at Liverpool on Sunday.The Champions Manchester United also have two matches left but are one point behind and have inferior goal difference of 8.Liverpool know their record of League titles would be beaten by United if they retain the Premier League for what would be a record fourth successive season.But Liverpool just have to beat Chelsea at home to retain any hope of a Champions League spot.Tough!Chelsea's last game is Wigan at home so its about the Liverpool match for them. United have Sunderland away and Stoke at home;both very winnable if the chips are down.The Premier League top place changed hands at the weekend for the 22nd time this season.It sums it all up so maybe a twist or two still to come.

WHO DOES TAKE FOURTH SPOT IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?

Still it rumbles on.Who will finish fourth and take the final European Champions League place allocated to the Premier League?Chelsea,Manchester United and Arsenal are in next saeason's competition.The fourth spot will go to one from Spurs,Manchester City,Aston Villa and just Liverpool with three matches left..Spurs are currently fourth with 64 points-the same as Aston Villa but both Villa and Liverpool only have two games left.Then come Manchester City just a point behind while Liverpool are two adrift of Spurs and Villa.So consider their remaining games....Manchester City play Villa at home and Spurs at home before West Ham away.Wow!Spurs have that City game as the sandwich between Bolton at home and relegated Burnley away...Villa last two are that Man City game away and Blackburn at home;Liverpool's Chelsea at home and relegated Hull at home.Liverpool HAVE to beat Chelsea at home to stand any chance of fourth spot even though it lets in deadly rivals Manchester United!All in all you are looking at Spurs or Manchester City.I still fancy Spurs-just!

PENALITES OFTEN EQUAL OUT

Aston Villa should not have been given a penalty at Villa Park against Birmingham on Sunday.It decided the match.Martin Atkinson was too far away and replays clearly showed that Roger Johnson played the ball against Gabriel Agbonlahor.I couldn't tell at the time from my seat on the half way line although it felt harsh.Video replays would have helped but as we know all football wants to consider is goal area officials but some of their decisions in UEFA Cup matches have been weak.Martin O'Neill had cause to complain when Manchester United's defender Vidic was not re-carded after conceeding a penalty against Agbonlahor in the Carling Cup final when Vidic was the last man.The Villa manager was equally aggrieved when Villa did not get a penalty decision in the FA Cup semi-final.So I was disappointed when he said that the penalty against Birmingham should have been given.You do have to take the rough with the smooth!

WEST HAM ALMOST THERE

Its all down to maths but take it that West Ham will be in the Premier League next season.Hull are six points behind with two matches left..and Hull are trailing West Ham by 23 in goal difference. Ok..happy.Hull's last two games at Wigan and home to Liverpool.West Ham away to Fulham;home to Manchester City.Portsmouth and Burnley already relegated...and really so are Hull.

PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER AND PLAYER OF THE MONTH

We will not know who the Premier League manager and player of the month for April will be until the weekend.But I can tell you who I voted for as I am on the panel...Aston Villa,s Martin O'Neill as manager ( played 5 won 4 drawn 1 including three away wins) and as Spurs' Gareth Bale as the player.

WAYNE ROONEY MY CHOICE

The PFA have chosen Wayne Rooney as their player of the year.A great accolade when just the players vote for their own.But the longest,most established and original award is the Footballer of the Year by the media,ie the Football Writers Association.My vote,as last season,goes to....Wayen Rooney.

WHO TAKES FOURTH AND FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SPOT?

Nottingham Forest,Cardiff City,and Leicester City are in the Championship play-off to decide the final promotion place for the Premier League.The fourth and final spot will be determined on Sunday.Currently Blackpool have a one point advantage over Swansea.It's between those two!Goal difference wil is easily in Blackpool's favour.Both teams will be at home on Sunday(kick-off 1.00p.m.)Blackpool host Bristol City;Swansea have Doncaster.You would expect Blackpool to make it which would be an unwelcome irony for the Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric who sacked Ian Holloway as his manager after Leicester were relegated under Ian to League One for the first time in ther Foxes history.Leicester's DJ Campbell is on loan to Blackpool and has been scoring regularly lately for Holloway's team..Leicester are in middle position for the play-offs.Forest lead Cardiff by two points and better goal difference going into the final game.Forest go to Scunthorpe who are safe;Cardiff are at Derby who need some pride.Forest's away form is poor so may be it will be Cardiff v Blackpool and Forest v Leicester in the semi-finals.So much at stake.

AWOL

Sorry folks..I went missing in Ireland for three days looking at greyhounds.My blog service will be resumed on Wednesday afternoon!

STEVE COPPELL GREAT CHOICE FOR BRISTOL CITY

Steve Coppell is back in football as the new manager of Bristol City.A good choice.He is talented,intelligent and with an excellent record at clubs like Crystal Palace and Reading.I am surprised Steve has not joined a bigger club but he usually knows what he is doing.One thing you can bet on:Bristol City will start climbing in the right direction and with better players.

MICHAEL DUNFORD QUITS BIRMINGHAM CITY

I got a phone call from longstanding friend Michael Dunford to say he had quit his job as CEO at Birmingham City.He is not talking offically about why but you can guess.The Blues owners are different to say the least.He has not had much luck after being made redundant at Plymouth last summer.Michael,who I have known since his Derby County days in the 70's did a fine job at Everton and will be a good asset to whatever proves to be his next club.

GREAT AWAY RESULTS IN EUROPA FOR LIVERPOOL AND FULHAM

Liverpool lost their Europa League semi-final first leg one nil away to Atletico Madrid ( soft goal in 9th minute by former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan) but I think that is a good result and I am sure Liverpool will be in the final by the end of the home leg in Anfield on Thursday.Same applies to Fulham.0-0 in Hamburg was a great result and Fulham have never lost a home leg in Europe.So given a fair wind it should be Liverpool versus Fulham in an all English clubs Europa League final, ironically in Hamburg on Wednesday May 12.Hardly the European Champions League for Liverpool and their manager Rafa Benitez but with no English clubs making the Champions League semi-finals this season it would be a redeeming result for both.For Fulham and their manager Roy Hodgson getting to the final would be a fine achievement.Winning it would underline again to all what a great job Hodgson has done for the mid-table club....But first both Liverpool and Fulham need to win the second legs!....

BURNLEY,HULL AND WEST HAM.WHICH TWO TO GO DOWN?

Hull's two nil home defeat in mid-week gives West Ham a lifeline.The Hammers are three points clear of Hull and four above Burnley.With just three games left and with Portsmouth already relegated its very tight.Burnley have an awful record under Brian Laws and play Liverpool at home;Birmingham away and finish with Spurs at home.Liverpool and Spurs are eyeing fourth spot,Birmingham on the finishing place merit money.There is excellent bonus money for where each team finishes in the Premier League table.Verdict:Burnley to go down.....Hull play Sunderland at home,may be a point,Wigan away and then Liverpool at home. Verdict:relegated...West Ham have Wigan at home( a point;maybe three),Fulham away ( not much) and Manchester City at home ( depends where City are in table).Verdict:West Ham to stay up!

PORTSMOUTH REFUSED PLACE IN EUROPA LEAGUE.RIGHTLY SO

Portsmouth will not be allowed to play in next season's Europa League because of their £119 million debts.They had the chance because FA Cup final opponents Chelsea have already qualified for the European Champions League.There is normally a place for the FA Cup winners.But both the Premier League and FA have quite rightly blocked the relegated team from entering the Europa League because of their financial situation.Pompey's affairs look chaotic.By the way the creditors include this website's sponsors Pukka Pies for £40.Disgraceful..no way to treat the best pie company I know!

PAUL SCHOLES WINNER AND JOHN TERRY RED CARD SWAYS IT

Last week for the first time this season I changed my mind about Manchester United winning the title for a record number of times and the Premier League for a record fourth successive season.I should have known better.Paul Scholes scores a brilliant late goal...almost at the end of stoppage time at the City of Manchester stadium and then Chelsea lose at Spurs with John Terry sent off and now suspended for the home game with Stoke.Chelsea do lead the Champions by one point with three games left.But look at those games.Chelsea have Stoke at home;Liverpool away and Wigan at home.Anfield may be tricky.United have Spurs at home;Sunderland away and finally Stoke at home.United just but maybe more twists yet to round off a fantastic season.

BRAVE EFFORT BY ARSENAL WHO NEED A GOALIE!

Arsenal are as good as out of the title race.But they have had a good season and if they had not lost Robin Van Persie for so long who knows.One thing for sure-they need to buy a top class goalkeeperAll the top nine clubs
have a better one than Arsenal.

SPURS FOR FOURTH PLACE-JUST

Apart from Chelsea and Manchester United the fixture list may not be so crucial for fourth spot because the likes of Spurs are picking up results when you do not expect it.After tumbling out of the FA Cup to Portsmouth Spurs then have home wins in a matter of days over Arsenal and Chelsea.I do not think they will win at Old Trafford but they might just edge Manchester City with four games left.Two points the difference but every point counts!

HULL OR WEST HAM FOR THE DROP

Its oh so tight for the last relegation spot in the Premier League.Liverpool are at home to West Ham tonight.Hammers may get something.They need to as they are just three points clear of Hull.Portsmouth are relegated and I do not expect Burnley to survive.I think West Ham will do it-just!

MY TEAM LEICESTER NEARLY IN PLAY-OFFS

My team is Leicester City.Although I come from Cambridge my late maternal grandfather used to live near the ground so since the age of 6 I have been going to se the Foxes.I am older than I look by the way!My grandad is buried in Leicester but he would turn in his grave if he could see the little boy he took to the top of the Filbert Street double decker stand now a regular guest in the Boardroom at the Walkers Stadium.Nigel Pearson has done a great job,backed by his chairman Milan Mandaric.The manager took over when Leicester had been relegated to League One-the lowest in their history.He won the promotion as Champions at the first attempt and now with two games left he needs four points to be certain of making the play-offs.He may not need that many--last two games away to Preston and then at home to Middlesbro'.Nigel is a fine young manager

CHELSEA BEAT BOLTON..TITLE IN THEIR OWN HANDS

Chelsea's one nil win over Bolton gives them a four points lead over Champions Manchester United and six over Arsenal who do have one game in hand.Surely its Chelsea's Premier League title now.Four games left-two home two away all winnable.United also have the same but Manchester City away this Saturday (April 17)will be really tough.Arsenal's game in hand is at their North London deadly rivals Spurs tonight where any result could happen.Its then another two home and two away including tricky Blackburn.It looks a Chelsea League and Cup double.

THE PIEMAN FOOTBALL SHOP IS NOW OPEN

We have a great range of football purchases now available in the Pieman footie shop on this website.Why not have a browse

We have a whole range of football items in our new Pieman shop that is now open...why not have a browse...so simple to order...why not have a butchers?

CHELSEA ON COURSE FOR PREMIER AND FA CUP DOUBLE

Manchester United surely have blown it as their manager suggests.A record 4th successive Premier League title looks to have gone out the window after the home defeat by Chelsea and the goalless draw at Blackburn.Chelsea with a hand in hand lead United by a point and four goals better in the difference.Chelsea have three games at home,Bolton,Stoke and Wigan...and two away Spurs and Liverpool...United have four:Spurs and Stoke at home;Manchester City and Sunderland away....For the first time this season I think its Chelsea's title and not Manchester United.Chelsea looked stitched on for Premier League and FA Cup double..but then again football is a funny old game!

POMPEY MAY NOT HAVE A POT TO..........

The Portsmouth story is quite amazing.Relegated.In administration..broke,skint and so on.Cannot afford to be in the FA Cup final but they are against their manager Avram Grant's old club Chelsea.They beat Spurs 2-nil in yesterday's semi-final.As mhy mate Richard Littlejohn is always writing...you could not make it up!

WEMBLEY PITCH A DISGRACE

After over vastly over spending on the original budget for the national stadium it is a disgrace that the pitch at Wembley is not in tip top condition for show piece football games.Saturday was the latest example.

CHELSEA SURVIVE LATEST ASTON VILLA WEMBLEY DECISIONS

Martin O'Neill gets very angry when his Aston Villa team play at Wembley this season and with some cause! Manchester United defencer Vidic should have been sent off in the opening minutes of the Carling Cup finalfor bringing down Villa striker Agbonlahor.Referee Phil Dowd gave the penalty but Vidic was last defender and should,but was not,sent off.United went on to win 2-1.Then in Saturday's semifinal Mikel pulled down Agbonlahor but referee Howard Webb in a perfect position did not give the stonewall penalty.Agbonlahor had tugged Mikel's shirt which the officials may have missed.Either way something should have been given and was not.Also O'Neill feels that Webb should have sent off John Terry for an awful anbd dangerous challenge on James Milner.Why are refs making bad and easy decisions in these Wembley matches? Chelsea went on to win 3-nil and now meet Portsmouth in the final on May 15. Now Villa are under pressure to finish fourth.It does not look likely as they are eight points behind Manchester CityThey have one game in hand which is on Wednesday at home to Everton and look likely to miss out.Surely Martin O'Neill will stay with the club......

LIVERPOOL AND FULHAM IN EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS

Liverpool and Fulham both put in good Europa League quarter-final second leg performances and results against Benfica(4-1 at home,5-3 on aggregate) and Wolfsburg (1-nil win away;3-1 on agg.)respectively.. Well done to both clubs but its a bit like after the Lord Mayor,s show,ie the Champions League!There has been a big deal about who finishes fourth in the Premier League and thus takes the final spot in next season's Champions League.Not too much has been made yet about the Europa League places!

MANCHESTER UNITED OUT;NO ENGLISH TEAMS IN ECL SEMIS

Manchester United took a 3 nil lead at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final second leg after trailing 2-1 in Munich.But then it went pear shaped.Bayern scored just before the break after an error by Michael Carrick,then just after half time the young United right back Rafael was sent off for two yellows.United manager blames the Munich players for harrassing the weak Italian referee but they were two yellows in any-one's book--even if the first one should have originally been a free-kick to UnitedThen Robben scores a wonder goal to make it 3-2 on the night;4-4 on aggregate.Bayern go through to mAeet Lyon in the semi-final on the away goals rule-something ironically Sir Alex Ferguson had been stressing the importance off in his pre-match briefing! And all this after the shock news that Wayne Rooney was in the starting line-upo despite spraining his ankle only eight days earlier.He has a hand in all three Un ited goals before injuring a blood vessel in his ankle..and had to be substituted in the 55th minute.Actually United missed some chances and could be considered a little unlucky but they are out and miss out on a third successive Champions League final.English clubs have been in the last five finals..and its been seven years since English clubs failed to reach the semi-finals.So besides the Europa League which is second class in a big way after the Champions League,the top English clubs now have the tight and exciting finish to the Premier League to focus on.A bad week for United.Will Chelsea slip up? Will United recover?All to be answered soon.

LIONEL MESSI IS THE WORLD'S BEST AND SCORES 4 FOR FIRST TIME

The World and European footballer Lionel Messi is only just 22 years of age.But the Barcelona and Argentina mega star is simply a football genuis.The very best.And now in the Champions League quarter final second leg he scored four goals for the first time in a match.Barca beating Arsenal 4-1 to go through to the semi-finals 6-3 on aggregate.Next up Jose Mourinho's Inter-Milan who will be defensive and cynical in their marking.Will be closer but would you bet against Barca reaching their third successive Champions League final?They are the holders bidding to be the first team to win it back to back since 1990 and the first ever since the European Cup became the Champions League! It will be down to Messi mostly!

WELL DONE NEWCASTLE AT FIRST ATTEMPT

Well done Newcastle United and manager Chris Hughton.They have been promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt.Hughton has proved himself and will be rewarded with a new contract and around £15 million transfer kitty.He was always number two..will he now hack it in the big time?West Bromwich Albion will join them soon.They have both been by far
the best teams in the Championship.Now the play-offs for the third spot.

CHELSEA IN POLE POSITION WITH 5 GAMES LEFT

Chelsea have the Premier League in their own hands with five games left after that imperative 2-1 win over the Champions at Old Trafford.How the linesman missed Didier Drogba's winner being offside does not matter now.The result and impact stands.Chelsea head United by two points.United missed Wayne Rooney because Dimitar Berbatov did not deliever.Drogba did.It looks very likely now that Chelsea will win the title and not just because of their obvious advantage.Its that they are playing well and United are not.The Rooney factor is key..Chelsea have Drogba and Frank Lampard.There is not much in the fixture list.Chelsea have Spurs away;Manchester United have Manchester City away-both on the same day-Saturday April 17!There have always been twists and turns this season but only two leaders since Spurs early doors.I have tipped United all season but right now the ball is in Stamford Bridge.

WEST HAM WILL SURVIVE-JUST

West Ham's gutsy draw at Everton may keep them up-just.But they will lose Scott Parker through suspension.Its going to be so tight for relegation.Portsmouth are down,Burnley cannot win and looked doomed.Hull are one point behind the Hammers with a game in handThis Saturday Hull are at home to Burnley!Its going to be a dogfight between Wigan,West Ham and Hull.I think West Ham will stay up and Wigan just!April 24 West Ham-Hull and May 1 Wigan v Hull...You could not make it up!

MANCHESTER CITY OR SPURS FOR 4TH PREMIER LEAGUE SPOT?

May 5 at the City of Manchester Stadium is a crucial date.City will be at home to Spurs.The result may well decide fourth spot.City are currently 4th-one point and one position higher than Spurs.Liverpool who have played one extra game and therefore have just five games left have to win the lot.Liverpool are four points behind City and they will not get maximum points the way they are playing....Aston Villa look out of it.City's remaining six include Man United home and Arsenasl away....Spurs have the next three against Arsenal home,Chelsea at home and Man Utd away( thanks!)....Liverpool only have Chelsea at home to really worry about but they may well have left it all too late.....so its Manchester City to finish fourth for me!

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS FOR WAYNE ROONEY

So its good and bad news for the Player of the Year Wayne Rooney who has sprained his ankle for the seventh time in seven years with Manchester United.First the good news:  its nothing serious,he should be back in the United team in two weeks and certainly fit for England in the World Cup-phew! Now the bad news..Wayne will miss tomorrow's crucial home Premier League match with Chelsea and Wednesday's return Champions League  tie with Bayern Munich-both at Old Trafford.You would have given United a good chance of winning both-and they may well-but without Rooney it suddenly looks much more difficult.1-2 down to Bayern is still do able but the Chelsea match is that much harder.Step forward £30 million Dimitar Berbatov.This is your big platform.Things have been going much better both in workrate and silky skills lately.Now he  needs to come up trumps. .

MARTIN O'NEILL PONDERS FUTURE

Aston Villa's owner Randy Lerner and his manager Martin O'Neill are both strong characters who are not afraid to make big decisions.Lerner is a multi millionaire who has plunged millions in the Midlands clubs.O'Neill, who likes to run things on his terms,has done well in turning round both the results and the playing staff.But he is hinting that his future at the club will be decided at the end of this season.And he will have a say in it because as he puts it this is his life.Martin is clever and highly intelligent.He either means it or he is playing games.We will find out.You just never know in football.However there is a section of Villa supporters who are never satisfied.Why do a few boo O'Neill and the team?When he took over the team were poor.Now they have been to the Carling Cup final,they are in the semi-final of the FA Cup and until recently were in with a real chance of fourth spot in the Premier League.I call a large section of the fans cardboard cut-outs! Their expections are too high.They are noisy when the team are winning,but as silent as cardboard cutouts when the team are trailing.Not all of them but enough to notice.

GOOD FOR LIVERPOOL;DODGY FOR FULHAM

I would expect Liverpool to pull back their 1-2 result in Lisbon after yesterday's Europa League first leg against Benfica.Ryan Babel was sent off but there are more important players to win the return at Anfield.
The away goal may prove crucial.Liverpool will hope they avoid injuries at Birmingham on Sunday.Fulham are in a reverse situation.They beat the Germans at Craven Cottage 2-1 but with that away goal you have to fancy Wolfsburg in the return.