A controversial spot-kick was enough to earn United the point they needed at ensure that the Premier League trophy ends the season at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney’s conversion sparked jubilation in the United ranks, but consigned Rovers to join an array of sides still unsure on their Premier League status going into the final weekend of fixtures.
While United’s triumph somewhat overshadowed events at Wembley, the blue half of Manchester were not to be denied as they dominated Stoke to claim the FA Cup courtesy of another timely Yaya Toure strike.
Here’s the notes on Saturday’s events…
United Claim The Title
Despite the gravitas of the Ewood Park encounter, Alex Ferguson decided to take risks with a rotation policy. Tomasz Kuszczak earned a start in goal with Edwin van der Sar rested. Jonny Evans came in at left-back with Patrice Evra benched and John O’Shea out of the squad with the knock sustained against Chelsea last time out.
Antonio Valencia and Nani started in the wide roles, with the latter spending the majority of his time tucking in to assist Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney up front. Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick manned central midfield areas. Darren Fletcher, reported to be in the frame for a comeback from injury, failed to make the squad.
With the title now decided, there are obvious concerns that Ferguson will use the final day fixture with Blackpool at Old Trafford as an opportunity to rest key players prior to the Champions League final. The United boss gave us this in his post-match comments following the title triumph…
“It gives us a real opportunity to look at how we can rest players and who needs to keep going. We have a responsibility to make sure we are fair to all clubs in the country who are struggling relegation. Manchester United will try to win next Sunday, there is no doubt about that.”
Wayne Rooney’s Fantasy owners will have enjoyed his spot-kick conversion and the 3 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points that followed, but will now be concerned that the 12.0 striker is a major doubt to start the gameweek 38 encounter. The likes of Javier Hernandez, Antonio Valence, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs would also seem likely to be preserved in that game ahead of the meet with Barcelona.
The flipside of this is that fringe players in the United squad can now be considered for what could be a profitable home fixture with relegation threatened Blackpool. Dimitar Berbartov would seem well placed to start up front, while Nani could also be set to play with Valencia and Ji-Sung Park perhaps favourites to start in the wide roles in the Wembley final. Fabio, Evans and Smalling would also seem set to earn starting roles in the final gameweek – although a clean sheet looks unlikely given Blackpool’s motivation and undoubted goal threat.
Rovers Still In Danger
While United can look forward to a relaxed final day, Blackburn will go into their final fixture away at Wolves still fighting for their Premier League lives. Steve Kean’s side will also go into that crucial game with injury doubts surrounding skipper Chris Samba and key creator Junior Hoilett. Both have hamstring injuries and were withdrawn in yesterday’s game. Samba is also nursing a groin problem and will be a major concern for Kean ahead of the final day given his dominant form in recent weeks.
Wolves Show Their Teeth
Blackburn’s opponents on the final day continued their end of season rally with a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light. Mick McCarthy’s side have put back-to-back wins together at just the right time to pull themselves out of the bottom three – although a result on the final day is still required to assure safety.
Steven Fletcher has been a key component in their revival. The former Burnley striker came good again to score his fifth goal in as many games. He added to an early strike by centre-back veteran Jody Craddock. He has returned to the Wolves lineup and quickly rediscovered the touch that saw him notch five goals last season.
McCarthy named an unchanged side for the trip to Wearside. That meant no place for Matt Jarvis again, although he emerged for the second-half to supply Fletcher’s goal. Kevin Doyle returned to contention – he started on the bench and saw action with 20 minutes left.
Sessegnon Delivers
The winger turned striker came good to justify his inclusion on our Scout Picks bench. Steve Bruce was again forced to employ Sessegnon up front but the 5.8 FPL midfielder showed his potential, fetching his second goal of a four game spell that has also seen two assists. An away trip to struggling West Ham could also see further returns for what has been a profitable end to the season.
Bruce Can’t Stem The Tide
Ultimately Sunderland’s leaky defence cost them again. The Black Cats have now conceded 21 goals in their last eight league matches. Injuries in key areas, both in defence and midfield have played havoc with Bruce’s team selection and the Sunderland boss couldn’t hide his frustration post-match…
“We huffed and puffed through the second half and we didn’t defend properly – we were all over the place. We had a right back playing at left back and a right back in the centre of defence and at this level you can’t get away with that and unfortunately we’ve been punished for it.”
Sunderland’s defensive frailty will give West Ham hope that, if they can remain in reach of safety come the final day, they will be able to capitalise and score the goals to preserve their Premier League status. Whether they get the opportunity depends on today’s clash at the DW Stadium.
Blackpool Fight Till The End
Ian Holloway’s side ensured that the relegation battle will go to the final gameweek by completing a thrilling 4-3 win over mid-table Bolton at Bloomfield Road. Charlie Adam’s inspiration was again on show in the crucial win, he netted the winner – a rare strike from open play but it was Granville’s Fantasy Island Risk pick – DJ Campbell, who grabbed the plaudits prior to Adam’s intervention. The striker notched goals 12 and 13 in what has been an outstanding first season for the impish marksman. He duly earned only his second maximum FPL Bonus return of the season to give him a total points haul of 13.
Bolton Slip Again
The Trotters slipped to a fourth straight defeat, but at least their attacking display at Blackpool fetched rewards for owners of their Fantasy talent. Daniel Strurridge netted his eighth goal in 11 appearances, while another Fantasy Island Risk and a member of Big Dunc’s Differentials – Matt Taylor – also delivered only his second goal of the season.
Bolton came out of the Blackpool defeat with one notable injury – Fabrice Muamba was removed with a hamstring problem. Owen Coyle was without Johan Elmander in his starting lineup after the Swede suffered an injury in training.
Odemwingie Ticks On
While Sturridge came good on his budget potential up front, Peter Odemwingie cemented his status as the must-have striker in that bracket with the assist for Youssouf Mulumbu’s goal in the 1-0 win over Everton. The Barclay’s Player of the Month, Odemwingie has now scored or assisted in his last nine league matches – an incredible record. The Nigerian also sealed another 3 FPL Bonus points for his display giving him 11 Bonus in his last nine starts. While his Fantasy investors will be beaming at his level of consistency, there are injury concerns going into West Brom’s final fixture. Odemwingie picked up an ankle knock in yesterday’s game and will be an early doubt for the trip to Newcastle.
Mulumbu’s Late Surge
His winning goal was his fourth in nine games for the Baggies, a spell that has also seen him gather seven FPL Bonus Points. Clearly he’s one to watch in the budget bracket next season – a player who could easily overshadow the likes of skipper Chris Brunt when it comes to assessing Roy Hodgson’s midfield assests. Brunt himself, returned from injury to take his place in the West Brom lineup yesterday.
Balotelli Rises To the Occasion
While it wasn’t surprising to see Carlos Tevez return to City’s Cup Final lineup, the inclusion of Mario Balotelli in the starting XI ahead of Adam Johnson on the left flank certainly was a shock. The young Italian repaid that faith however with a convincing display full of threat, suggesting that he could yet be a Premier League force.
Typically, Balotelli couldn’t escape some level of controversy however. His post-match interview providing the latest chapter…
“All my season was s***,” he said. “Can I say that? I’ve played not very well, but today maybe I played more for the team.”
City Set For League Rotation?
Mancini’s lineup for the Wembley showpiece also saw the much-maligned Aleksandar Kolarov to left-back with Pablo Zabaletta dropping to the bench. That’s likely to mean a shuffle for Tuesday’s league encounter with Stoke at Eastlands with roles likely to be reversed. Indeed Mancini will surely be set to rotate for Tuesday’s game and that could see the likes of Tevez, David Silva and even goal hero Yaya Toure, under threat.
