English Premier League
West Bromwich Albion 5-5 Manchester United
It was an absolute thriller and a spectacle for the neutrals as both sides had moments to forget and had their respective defences to blame for most of the goals.
United got off to a dream start as Shinji Kagawa headed in Javier Hernandez’ cross on 6 minutes and this was followed by an own goal 3 minutes later by Jonas Olsson who could only deflect Valencia’s powerful cross into his own net. United struck again on the half hour mark this time through Alexander Buttner who finished off a good move with a low finish. When the champions looked to be in control, the Baggies pulled one back before the break through James Morrison.
The hosts grabbed a 2nd 5 minutes after the restart as substitute Romelu Lukaku grabbed his 1st of 3 goals. Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez scored within 10 minutes of each other to restore the 3 goal cushion but Lukaku had other ideas as he scored 2 more on 81 and 86 minutes to earn his team a much deserved point.
Just as he said, Steve Clarke’s side spoilt the party for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 at Stamford Bridge thanks Fernando Torres’ winner on 76 minutes. Juan Mata put the Blues in front only for Steven Naismith to equalise for the Toffees. The Spaniard capped up a good week as he grabbed the winner.
Liverpool beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Anfield with Philippe Coutinho scoring the solitary goal while Manchester City were beaten 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium by Norwich City. Jonathan Howson, Grant Holt and Anthony Pilkington got on the score sheet for the visitors while Jack Rodwell bagged a brace for the hosts.
Laurent Koscielny scored the only goal as Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 away while Tottenham beat Sunderland 1-0 at home thanks to Gareth Bale’s late strike. The Gunners grabbed the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot at the expense of their rivals Spurs who have to settle for a place in the Europa League next season.
Southampton drew 1-1 at home against Stoke City with Rickie Lambert scoring for the Saints and Peter Crouch scoring for the Potters. Swansea were beaten 3-0 at home by Fulham with Alexander Kacaniklic, Dimitar Berbatov and Urby Emanuelson scoring for the Cottagers.
West Ham United beat Reading 4-2 at home thanks to a hat trick from Kevin Nolan and another from Ricardo Vaz Te. Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre scored for the Royals. Wigan Athletic drew 2-2 at home against Aston Villa. Darren Bent and Ron Vlaar scored for the visitors while Emmerson Boyce and Nathan Baker (OG) scored for the Latics.
Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Wigan Athletic will be playing in the Championship while Cardiff, Hull and Crystal Palace or Watford will be playing in the Premier League next season. Crystal Palace and Watford play in the playoff final on May 27th at Wembley after beating Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City respectively in the playoff semi finals.
Spanish La Liga
Barcelona are champions of Spain regaining the title from Real Madrid and they Real Valladolid 2-1 at the Camp Nou.
Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 (after extra time) in the Cope del Rey final. Diego Costa cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener and Miranda won it in the 98th minute. Ronaldo saw a straight red while Gabi was sent off and Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands.
German Bundesliga
Champions Bayern Munich beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-3 away while Borussia Dortmund were beaten 2-1 at home by Hoffenheim. Bayer Leverkusen beat Hamburg 1-0 away while Eintracht Frankfurt drew 2-2 at home against Wolfsburg.
Italian Serie A
Juventus who retained their title lost 3-2 away at Sampdoria while AS Roma beat Napoli 2-1 at home. Inter Milan were beaten 5-2 at home by Udinese while AC Milan beat Siena 2-1 away.
French Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain are champions and they beat Brest 3-1 at home while St Etienne beat Marseille 2-0 at home with Lyon drawing 1-1 away at Nice.
Portuguese Liga
FC Porto retained the title after beating Pacos de Ferreira 2-1 away with Benfica finishing 2nd just a point behind and they beat Moreirense 3-1 at home.
Dutch Eredivisie
Ajax are champions and PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, Vitesse Arnhem and FC Utrecht make up top 5.
