This is how it’s supposed to be.
After 37 matchdays, the Premier League title will finally be decided on the last day of the season on Sunday, drawing to a conclusion one of the most memorable English topflight campaigns in recent memory.
Manchester City sits atop the table with a two point lead over Liverpool, and only needs a draw at home against West Ham United to secure their second league crown in three years. Liverpool needs to beat Newcastle United at home, and hope the Hammers upset City, in order to win their first league title since 1990.
Here’s a look at these two key matches.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Manchester City vs. West Ham United (on all four main Sportsnet channels), Southampton vs. Manchester United (on Sportsnet World and Sportsnet 360), Tottenham vs. Aston Villa (streamed live on Sportsnet.ca), and Hull City vs. Everton and Fulham vs Crystal Palace (on Sportsnet World Online). Coverage begins with our hour-long pre-game show at 9:00 am ET/6:00 am PT.
Manchester City vs. West Ham United
For the second time in three years Manchester City is 90 minutes away from being crowned English champions, having staged yet another late season surge to claim the title. It’s not quite as miraculous of a comeback as the one they pulled off in 2012, but the Blues are still deserving of credit, especially after their 3-2 defeat at Anfield four weeks ago and a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland three days later. Four straight victories have followed, the most recent a 4-0 destruction of Aston Villa in mid-week at Etihad Stadium. Coupled with Liverpool’s misfortune (one point from last two outings), Manuel Pellegrini must only avoid defeat on Sunday in order to secure top-prize and confirm his debut Premier League season a resounding success. Should they pull the double over West Ham—having won 3-1 at Upton Park in the reverse fixture—it will be the second time City have recorded five consecutive wins this season.
Edin Dzeko has hit top form at the optimal moment, scoring the pivotal goals to lead City’s title charge (five of the team’s nine goals in their last three victories). The Bosnian has netted 16 league goals, one fewer than the often injured Sergio Aguero. As good as Dzeko has been lately, the leadership and influence of Yaya Toure goes unmatched. The Ivorian is the heartbeat of the team. He became only the second central midfielder in Premier League history (Frank Lampard was the first) to net 20 goals in one season after scoring an exquisite individual strike in mid-week. Even though the hosts are heavily favoured, it would be foolish to simply expect to show up and collect the points needed.
Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
Liverpool’s embarrassing capitulation at Selhurst Park—letting a three-goal lead slip in a nine minute span late in the second half—effectively ended the Merseysiders’ hopes at lifting the title at Anfield on Sunday. The scenes on the pitch following the final whistle of their 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace spoke volumes to the general feeling within the team. The dream of being crowned champions of England for the first time in 24 years is dead. Steven Gerrard blankly gazed off into the distance, Martin Skrtel slumped to the ground in disbelief of what had just occurred, and Luis Suarez cried uncontrollably while his teammates attempted in vain to console him. It was a heartbreaking way for the club’s fairy tale journey to end—allowing the title to slip from within their grasps in such a manner was a hammer blow.
Despite relinquishing control, technically the title could still go to Liverpool on Sunday should they beat the Magpies and West Ham produces an improbable victory over Man City. Whatever the end result, Brendan Rodgers can take solace in securing the club’s main objective of a Champions League place for next season. The Reds have finally re-established themselves as worthy contenders in the title conversation, and will reap the financial benefits associated with their overachievement moving forward. Liverpool have moved swiftly to solidify their foundation, having already locked up Suarez, Skrtel and Rahim Sterling mid-season. Rodgers has agreed to a four-year contract extension, with Gerrard expected to follow by signing his final deal before retirement. Heading into the campaign’s final fixture, the Reds are second in the table with 25 wins, plundered 99 goals and collected 81 points. For the first time in a long while, the future looks bright on the red side of the Mersey.
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