football

[Barney Rubble]

A very interesting top 4 race in the Serie A next Sunday. Atalanta and Inter both have home games and are ahead of Milan and Roma so you would expect them to get through (Atalanta for the first time). That will be six years in a row Milan failed to qualify if they don't sneak through. Man Utd better be careful not to turn into the English AC Milan

Atlanta ? Never heard of them before.

[westcorklad]

The Scottish Cup final is taking place at Hampden Park today. Celtic are trying to win the third leg of their triple treble bid but Hearts stand in their way. The Jambos are likely to be tough opposition but I think the Hoops will win. I will go for a 2-1 result maybe after extra time and give Neil Lennon a big boost for his chances of being named permanent Celtic manager.

[westcorklad]

Celtic come from behind to win the Scottish Cup 2-1 and do the triple treble. No argument that the Hoops are far and away the dominant team in Scotland and Neil Lennon has a reasonable chance of getting the manager`s job on a permanent basis. Still though a long way short of being in contention when it comes to the Champions League.

[westcorklad]

More disappointment for Barcelona tonight as they were beaten 2-1 by Valencia in the Spanish Cup final. Bayern Munich have done a German League and Cup double after beating RB Leipzig 3-0.

[westcorklad]

On this date in 1989 Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield to win the old First Division championship. This match happened years before the start of the PL era and in my opinion was the most dramatic end to an English League season ever only being rivalled by what happened at the end of the 2011-2012 season but without all the Sky Sports hype.

[Barney Rubble]

On this date in 1989 Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield to win the old First Division championship. This match happened years before the start of the PL era and in my opinion was the most dramatic end to an English League season ever only being rivalled by what happened at the end of the 2011-2012 season but without all the Sky Sports hype.

Wasn't the title decided by goals scored that year ? Both teams had the same points and goal difference.

[westcorklad]

Wasn't the title decided by goals scored that year ? Both teams had the same points and goal difference.

Yes it was. Both teams had 76 points and a plus 37 goal difference. Arsenal scored 75 goals compared with Liverpool`s 73. BTW not taking away from the Gunner`s title win that year but that match took place six weeks after the Hillsborough disaster and the Reds had to play eight games in the space of 25 days or so. Fatigue was definitely a factor.

[westcorklad]

The present arsenal team could do with a few of that teams defenders. They knew how to defend.

No argument there. The likes of Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Steve Bould were head and shoulders over anything the present Gunners squad has to offer. Going back to this match ironically enough Michael Thomas joined Liverpool two years later and scored for them in the 1992 FA Cup final.

[westcorklad]

A very interesting top 4 race in the Serie A next Sunday. Atalanta and Inter both have home games and are ahead of Milan and Roma so you would expect them to get through (Atalanta for the first time). That will be six years in a row Milan failed to qualify if they don't sneak through. Man Utd better be careful not to turn into the English AC Milan

Yep, that is the way it has ended up after the final round of matches today. Juventus, Napoli, Atalanta and Inter will be in the Champions League next season. AC Milan and Roma will have to be content with playing in the Europa League.

[westcorklad]

Aston Villa play Derby in the Championship playoff final today, the final match of the English domestic season. Villa go into the match as favourites but, as the semi final proved, the Rams will be tough opposition. It will also be a reunion of old Chelsea team mates Frank Lampard and John Terry. I think this match will end in a draw, maybe 1-1, and be decided on penalties.