Going, going, gone!
All sports betting is off as far as relegation is concerned.
And, in a rare football prediction I did get right, the race for the top four is also all but over with a week to go.
Mathematically not but the line-up at the top end of the Premier League is unlikely to change after this penultimate set of football games.
Everton 1-0 Watford FC
Uncertainty may surround his future but Ross Barkley didn’t let that affect him in the Toffees’ final home match of the season.
His curling shot 11 minutes after the re-start won the game and the standing ovation the talented young midfielder received when substituted late on proved how much Everton fans want him to stay.
The public ultimatum by manager Ronald Koeman urging Barkley to sign a contract extension, or be sold, may well yet prove a masterstroke at the end of a home campaign which has garnered their most points since 1990.
West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Chelsea
Worthy champions for the second time in three seasons and the fifth time in the Premier League era.
Proof of their quality and strength in depth was evident when Michy Batshuayi – a £33 million summer signing from Marseille – put aside a largely frustrating season to deliver the killer blow and end the resistance of a spirited West Brom – who have enjoyed another fine season under Tony Pulis.
The goal sparked wild celebrations which will continue all week at Stamford Bridge. And then there’s the FA Cup Final.
Manchester City 2-1 Leicester City
The rulebook may have been correctly interpreted by referee Bobby Madly but was it in the spirit of the law that Riyhad Mahrez’s late penalty was disallowed?
The fact the Algerian winger slipped as he went to take the spot-kick was unfortunate, the fact he scored (after the ball hit his right foot and spun into the net) was irrelevant.
The goal correctly did not stand as Mahrez touched the ball twice but should Leicester have been allowed to re-take the spot-kick instead of Man City being awarded a free-kick?
That prevented deposed champions Leicester City from completing a fine fightback as City held on to move back up to third spot after an entertaining contest.
Bournemouth 2-1 Burnley
The Cherries are a real example of a well-run club thriving against the odds among the established big boys.
Bournemouth might have limited funds and a limited capacity but manager Eddie Howe has worked wonders and this victory at the Vitality Stadium guaranteed the club its highest ever league finish in its 118 year history.
Josh King’s 16th league goal of the season sealed a deserved victory against a Burnley side which have also enjoyed a fine campaign, even if away form will have to improve next time.
Midddlesbrough 1-2 Southampton
With a section of fans chanting Aitor Karanka’s name, it is very clear that supporters consider the March sacking of their former manager as a turning point.
Careless and meek, Boro have won just one of their past 20 Premier League games and that was against fellow strugglers Sunderland, also relegated.
This result keeps alive the Saints’ hopes of a fourth successive top 10 finish in the Premier League, despite what seems like an annual exodus of key players and managers.
Sunderland 0-2 Swansea City
This inept display summed up the Wearsiders’ season and, if the fans get their way, manager David Moyes will not be in charge to lead the promotion charge.
While this defeat means Sunderland have taken just 14 points at home all term, Swansea edged within touching distance of safety.
This victory, which featured another Fernando Llorente goal and another Gylfi Sigurdsson assist – he has the most in the Premier League in 2017 – means a sixth successive season in the top flight was all but secured (it was less than 24 hours later).
Stoke City 1-4 Arsenal
For Arsenal, a first win at Stoke in seven years was a welcome end to what has been a hoodoo for Arsene Wenger and his men.
Gunners’ fans may still be divided on whether the Frenchman should extend his long-term stay beyond this summer – there was both support and protest inside the Bet365 Stadium – but the timing of this victory may have helped the doubters.
Stoke’s season have fizzled out and, under Mark Hughes, they look like a club in need of a re-charge. Whether that be with half a dozen different players or a new boss remains to be seen.
Crystal Palace 4-0 Hull City
What a difference a week makes.
Eight days ago Hull held their destiny in their own hands.
But the manner of their 2-0 home defeat against already relegated Sunderland was a psychological blow from which they never recovered and this display proved it.
While Sam Allardyce has kept a top flight club up yet again, Marco Silva has worked equally well at a side which didn’t have enough players to fill a substitute’s bench at the start of the season.
It proved just too big a task to prevent them from dropping straight back into the Championship and Silva will be a manager in demand.
West Ham United 0-4 Liverpool
When Liverpool needed some inspiration, they got it from their best player, Philippe Coutinho, to all but seal a top four finish.
When West Ham were asked questions they capitulated as easily as they have most of the season.
One side were woeful, the other clinical. For Jurgen Klopp’s delight, read Slaven Bilic’s despair.
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