Still something for Spurs to fight for
The fight might have been knocked out of Newcastle after they were relegated last night by Sunderland's 3-0 win over Everton, but there is still something for Spurs to fight for at St. James' Park on Sunday. All Spurs fans are absolutely desperate to finish above Arsenal for the first time in 21 years. A win or a draw will secure us second place.
However, those Spurs fans unable to secure a match ticket are disappointed that Sky's TV cameras will not be showing our game live. Instead they will focus on the race for fourth place and a Champions League play-off game.
For some reason, Sky have more interest in West Ham than they have Spurs as they will show the games involving both Manchester teams, and West Ham's game at Stoke. Liverpool go to West Brom and could be left outside the European qualifying places. It could be all or nothing for Jurgen Klopp's men in next week's Europa League Final. The winners would join Spurs in the group stage of next season's Champions League.
West Ham's home win in their last game at Upton Park on Tuesday night was certainly a great game and a great win, but as is so often the case, some of their fans let the side down with their pre-match bombardment of the Man Utd coach with bottles and other missiles. For some reason, the delayed post-match "end of the Boleyn era" celebrations were hosted by Sky presenters. Sky were certainly having a "Hammers love-in".
Everton have arguably been the great under-achievers of the season. This week they have simply surrendered to Champions Leicester and survivors Sunderland. Manager Roberto Martinez will not make their last game of the season, having been sacked today (Thursday 12th May). The "Toffees" managed just one win in their last 10 Premier League games and lost an FA Cup semi-final to Man Utd.
Although it is true to say that Spurs have closed out the season in disappointing fashion with two draws and a defeat, Leicester were always going to beat Everton to secure their very first title, and a big slice of football history.
Chelsea will not feature in European football next season, but they, Liverpool and others will be stronger contenders next season. Chelsea's 3-2 defeat last Saturday helped Sunderland's survival this year. Two years ago, Gus Poyet ledd a miraculous "Mackem" revival with a run of four successive wins including a 2-1 away win against Chelsea.
As for our fifth league defeat of the season, at home to Southampton, the grades thoughts and comments all reflected Spurs' poor show. Three of those defeats have been at home - one crucially to Leicester. One of those was to relegated Newcastle, who could yet become the only team to achieve a league "double" over us this season. Let's hope that doesn't happen!
Erik Lamela was deemed the best of a bad bunch and you can see the spursometer here.
Harry Kane still leads the Premier League Golden Boot table with 25 goals, but he is only one goal ahead of both Aguero and Vardy.
Roy Hodgson has delayed the announcement of his Euro 2016 squad until Monday. Kane is likely to be one of what I hope will be five Spurs players announced for the 23 man squad, along with Dele Alli, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Eric Dier. You can find Euro betting tips here.
Stop press! - Mauricio Pochettino's contract has been extended to 2021, having been agreed and signed today (Thursday 12th May)
Results 07-11.05.16
Norwich 0-1 Man Utd
A. Villa 0-0 Newcastle
B'mouth 1-1 West Brom
C. Palace 2-1 Stoke
S'derland 3-2 Chelsea
West Ham 1-4 Swansea
Leicester 3-1 Everton
Spurs 1-2 S'hampton
Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Man City 2-2 Arsenal
West Ham 3-2 Man Utd
Norwich 4-2 Watford
S'derland 3-0 Everton
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Barclays Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Leicester 37 23 11 3 67-35 32 80 C
2. Spurs 37 19 13 5 68-30 38 70
3. Arsenal 37 19 11 7 61-36 25 68
4. Man City 37 19 8 10 70-40 30 65
=========================================
5. Man Utd 37 18 9 10 46-34 12 63
=========================================
6. West Ham 37 16 14 7 64-49 15 62
7. S'hampton 37 17 9 11 55-40 15 60
8. Liverpool 37 16 11 10 62-49 13 59
9. Chelsea 37 12 13 12 58-52 6 49
10. Stoke 37 13 9 15 39-54 -15 48
11. Swansea 37 12 10 15 41-51 -10 46
12. Everton 37 10 14 13 56-55 1 44
13. Watford 37 12 8 17 38-48 -10 44
14. C. Palace 37 11 9 17 38-47 -9 42
15. West Brom 37 10 12 15 33-47 -14 42
16. B'mouth 37 11 9 17 44-64 -20 42
17. S'derland 37 9 11 17 46-60 -14 38
=========================================
18. Newcastle 37 8 10 19 39-64 -25 34 R
19. Norwich 37 9 7 21 39-64 -25 34 R
20. A. Villa 37 3 8 26 27-72 -45 17 R
