Five things (well, five of many) that occurred to us on an amazing day in the EPL:
1. It’s fitting that Man City and ManU finished with the same point totals, but that Man City won the league on goal differential, because that’s really the closest thing to Man City winning the championship on style points. Yesterday’s matches were microcosms of the season — ManU was steady and did enough to win but not to overwhelm and impress, whereas City had a near-epic collapse and then an amazing, heart-stopping comeback that was decidedly more entertaining. It seemed preordained, when City fell back eight points late in the season and then made its run back, that they had to win the title this year. In this fashion, though? Falling behind 2-1 and having to win in the last five minutes against a team trying to escape relegation? Despite having a 44-3 advantage in shots, and a 19-0 advantage in corner kicks? Incredible.
2. Arsenal fans got to celebrate St. Totteringham’s Day, finally, on the last day of the season, but it took one of the most inept goalie performances in recent memory (thank you, Hungary, for the gift that is Marton Folup in goal for West Brom) to help Arsenal seal the deal. It feels like a momentous summer of signings is on the horizon and that Arsenal might challenge for the league title next year, but they’re not quite there with their current cast.
3. Bolton fans, our condolences for relegation, especially in a season in which the whole Fabrice Muamba ordeal happened. But side by side on the last day, comparing QPR’s heroic efforts to Bolton’s, QPR played like a team that didn’t deserve relegation, and so therefore there is some justice in the way things went down. (Though, given the overall storylines of the season, it’s a pity that Aston Villa couldn’t be sent down. Really, would anyone miss them?)
4. That said about QPR and its heroicism yesterday, the Joey Barton Show’s going to receive a ban, probably in the neighborhood of 8-10 matches, for his antics in the match with Man City yesterday. It’s one thing to be sent over for an elbow to Tevez (really, who can’t resist the occasional elbow to Tevez), but what followed was ghastly: John Terry-ing Sergio Aguero, trying to headbutt Vincent Kompany, and the downfield argument with (of course) Mario Balotelli. As one fan gleefully sang at the bar where I watched yesterday, “There’s only one Joey Barton.”
5. It’s a shame Newcastle couldn’t have closed the deal late in the season — this year’s run was phenomenal, and though Europa League qualification seems very possible, they have to rely on Bayern beating Chelsea in the CL finals to not get bumped by Spurs. Still, the emergence of Cisse and Ben Arfa as catalysts in the Newcastle offense, especially their signature goals this year, has made this a more intriguing season. It’s nice to see some of the usual suspects having to scratch their way back into Champions League contention.
Soccer Apologist 