Man U Takes Home EPL Title

By J.A. Maio
Love of Sports Correspondent

After the dust settled from a grueling 38-match Premier League season, the league was bracketed by two teams: Manchester United and Fulham.

Both teams earned the right for celebrations and adulation. The former claimed the league title by a mere two points; the latter escaped the drop and claimed the right to remain in the Premiership for at least one more season.

Over the last several weeks, the focus of the football world has been squarely on the battle to be No. 1 in the EPL, and the Champions League Final between United and Chelsea. Going into the final weekend, the teams were level on points, with the Red Devils having a slight advantage on goal differential.

United, taking on Wigan, were hoping to forget their stumble in last year’s finale with West Ham, who took the match on a sublime strike by Carlos Tevez, who now dons a Man U kit. On the flipside, Chelsea looked to capitalize on the momentum they’d built over the last month, taking on a terribly inconsistent Bolton Wanderers side.

From the starting whistle, United took the game to Wigan, knowing full well they needed a win to ensure their 10th EPL title. In the 33rd minute, United took a huge step towards the trophy as Emmerson Boyce took down Wayne Rooney in the box, setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for his 40th goal of the season. The prolific attacking midfielder would not be denied.

Then in the 79th minute, Ryan Giggs, in his 758th appearance in a United uniform, slotted home the final dagger in Chelsea’s dream for the title. The roar from Manchester must have been heard all the way at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea stumbled to a 1-1 draw thanks to Matthew Taylor’s strike in added time.

What may be even more painful for the Blues heading into the Champions League final is the status of skipper John Terry, who was stretchered off in the 10th minute of the match after colliding with goalkeeper Petr Cech and Bolton striker Kevin Davies. According to reports, Terry suffered a partially dislocated elbow, but the stalwart defender claimed he’d be fit for the Final on May 21st.

Looking at the other end of the table, three teams – Reading, Birmingham and Fulham - were vying to stay above the relegation line, while the other two would ceremoniously drop to the Championship Division.

Reading looked to have the most comfortable test, taking on bottom dwellers Derby County, and they delivered. Derby, just as they had been all season, was shelled, their bags already packed for the Championship, as they bowed out with a final score of 4-0.

Thanks to Reading, regardless of their 4-1 victory over the Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City was mathematically pushed into the drop zone, finishing the season with 35 points, just one behind Reading.

That brings us to Fulham, who came into the final week riding a high, winning three out of their last four matches, playing inspired football since the return of former U.S. international striker Brian McBride. McBride’s been their most consistent striker over the last several years and has helped keep the team above the drop zone on more than one occasion. He spent much of this season watching from the sidelines while injured, but once he returned to the pitch the team seemed to get a tremendous lift and their play improved exponentially.

Fulham had the most difficult task of the three by taking on Portsmouth, who started the season very strong, but flagged as the season wore on. The match was fraught with a tangible intensity with Fulham’s entire season set on a knife’s edge … that is, until the 76th minute. Midfield maestro Jimmy Bullard sent a deep, curling free-kick into the penalty area and 31-year-old journeyman Danny Murphy rose up and headed Fulham into the lead. The match continued with end-to-end action right to the final whistle, which saw Roy Hodgon’s side ever so narrowly escape the drop, thanks to a superior goal differential.

You couldn’t have asked for anything more in the final week of the EPL season than what you saw this past weekend. One can only hope for more of the same as the football world gears up for Euro 2008, which starts June 7th.