Runners-up, relegation now focus in Premiership

By Vic Mills

LONDON (JP): With Manchester United claiming a fourth title in five years on Tuesday night, the final weekend of the Premiership season is all about runners-up and relegation.

The Champions' elect brings its long season to a close on Sunday with a home game against West Ham United. A capacity crowd of 55,000 will be at Old Trafford to see United parade the Premiership trophy.

Not the runaway success that many predicted, United slipped to seventh in November following consecutive defeats to Newcastle, Southampton and Chelsea.

There was also the loss of its proud 40-year unbeaten home record in Europe as Fenerbahce, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund all triumphed at Old Trafford in the Champions' Cup.

That United put this behind it and still went on to win speaks volumes for both the players and the managing style of Alex Ferguson. Moreover, the youthfulness of the squad suggests that it will get even better. A frightening prospect for the rest of the Premiership.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Ferguson will look to strengthen his squad in the off-season, with defense a key area to work on, along with his search for a proven scorer.

Under the microscope for much of the campaign, United's defense will face a final test from the saviors of West Ham, John Hartson and Paul Kitson. Recruited late in the season, their blossoming partnership and 13 Premiership goals have been crucial in West Ham's survival.

Without wanting to detract from United's achievement, it would not be too unkind to suggest that Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle all managed to lose the title just as much as United managed to win it.

Favorite for the runner-up spot, and thus entry into next season's Champions' Cup, Liverpool has been plagued by inconsistency all season long. Goalkeeping errors, a less than watertight defense, and a lack of penetration both in midfield and up front all conspired to produce an ordinary season by Liverpool standards.

The change to a 4-4-2 system came too late to influence the title race, it also left the players confused and insecure. None more so than Aston Villa bound Stan Collymore who looks set to play his last game for Liverpool on Sunday away to UEFA Cup hopefuls, Sheffield Wednesday.

A woeful disciplinary record and a variety of personal problems lie at the heart of Arsenal's Premiership campaign. Its biggest failing, however, has been an inability to make points off the other top sides.

Revolution

Given that manager Arsene Wenger restyled his play in mid- season, a place in Europe is an early return for a move that was nothing short of revolutionary. With more exotic players bound for Highbury this summer, Arsenal could be the team to challenge Manchester United next season. On this last weekend it also travels to the Midlands for a game against Derby County.

A suspect and tactically naive defense cost both Kevin Keegan and Newcastle United dear. Kenny Dalglish has since managed to restore order and with it new found optimism for next season.

However, casualties are expected. David Ginola will depart soon for France, while interest from Italian clubs could mean that Faustino Asprilla will play his last game for Newcastle at home to relegated Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Set to be a prime mover in the transfer market this summer, Dalglish will look to both strengthen his defense and add much needed finesse to midfield.

Unlike the championship, the race for the remaining UEFA Cup place will go to the last game of the season. Two points currently separate Aston Villa (58), Sheffield Wednesday (56) and Chelsea (56).

Villa will not have it all its own way as it entertains a Southampton side in need of at least a draw to stay up. On Wednesday, too, it will face a searching examination against a Liverpool team equally desperate for points. With the prize at next week's FA Cup final, Chelsea travels to Everton with several key players likely to be rested or on the bench.

There is no such luxury for those involved in the relegation fight. It will be all hands on deck in what for two clubs will be their last Premiership fixture for at least a year.

Middlesbrough, without the injured Fabrizio Ravanelli, travels to Leeds. The good news for the visitors is that Leeds has scored only 14 goals in 18 matches at Elland Road this season. The bad news is that it has conceded just 12, the lowest of any club in the Premiership.

After 30 years in top flight, time is set to run out on Coventry City. While capable of winning at Tottenham on Sunday, it may not be enough if other results go against it.

The outcome of the game between Wimbledon and Sunderland is just such a result. Buoyed by its 3-0 demolition of Everton last week, the Rokermen will be praying for a repeat performance at Selhurst Park.

Already building for next season, Wimbledon gave a hint of things to come, and the size of Sunderland's task, with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Fixtures

English premier league, Sunday, May 11: Aston Villa v Southampton; Blackburn v Leicester; Derby v Arsenal; Everton v Chelsea; Leeds v Middlesbrough; MU v West Ham; Newcastle v Nottingham Forest; S. Wednesday v Liverpool; Tottenham v Coventry; Wimbledon v Sunderland