Weekend Footy Round Up

BAGGIES JUST CHAMPION, BLUES SLIP AGAIN

05-05-2008

West Brom celebrated their first Football League title for 88 years, winning 2-0 at QPR on their way to the Premiership. It looks as though they’ll swap places with Blues who lost a relegation cruncher against Fulham. Villa still harbour European hopes despite losing to Wigan, while Wolves narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Albion’s promotion was all but secured last Monday night, but the Baggies fans who thronged Shepherd’s Bush in their superhero costumes (in honour of Super Kevin Philips) were desperate to see their team secure top place.

Rangers captain Martin Rowlands did his best to help the Baggies cause, getting sent off in the first half for a rash challenge on Jonathan Greening.

Albion took full advantage after the break when Korean Do Heon Kim headed his first goal in English football, to be followed by a Chris Brunt curler from a free kick.

So Tony Mowbray’s team aren’t the Arsenal of the Championship – they’ve actually won something this season.

Blues look doomed to replace them after a shocking defensive display at Craven Cottage, which allowed fellow strugglers Fulham to leap out of the bottom three for the first time since Boxing Day.

Shocking defending allowed Joe McBride to claim an easy goal from a free-kick on 52 minutes, while a pathetic headed clearance by sub Franck Quedrue gifted goal number two to Nevland three minutes from time.

Despite this gutless display, Birmingham could still survive on goal difference if they draw at home to Blackburn next week – but only if Fulham and Reading lose.

And if Blues win, they’ll still go down, if either of their two closest rivals also claims three points. It’s not looking good.

Villa slipped up at home against Wigan, going down 2-0 to second half goals from hot shot Luis Antonio Valencia – but they could still claim a UEFA Cup spot.

Everton, currently in 5th place, lost to Arsenal, leaving Martin O’Neill’s side three points off the pace. They travel to West Ham next week, needing to have a better result than Everton, who host Newcastle.

Saturday’s match saw Olof Melberg’s final match for the club, and possibly Gareth Barry’s too – we shall see.

Wolves play-off hopes came to grief despite a 1-0 victory against Plymouth at Molinuex.

Olofinjana claimed the winner three minutes from time, but they were edged out of 6th spot on goal difference.

Walsall’s end of season misery concluded by throwing away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Hartlepool, amid fan protests against the owner Jeff Bonser.