Prem +

Shocker. Man U champions, Liverpool 2nd, Chelsea 3rd and Arsenal a full 11 points behind in 4th. Oh and Everton 5th - the only team in 8 years that have broken the top 4. Snooze.

Congratulations to United though and their many followers in the N&R FL. It was United's 18th league title, equalling Liverpool's record. 18 years ago they were 11 behind. Food for thought.

I have to mention Foolham though and the cracking job that Roy Hodgson has done. He was overlooked for every Premier League job after he got Blackburn to the UEFA Cup, and then was shortly after sacked in 1998. After Lawrie Sanchez spunked about 22 million, Hodgson came in, steadied the ship, kept them up and this year is on course to take Foolham to their best ever finish, and playing some good stuff too. A draw at home to Everton will guarantee that Europa Cup place.

Redknapp and Zola both deserve credit for top 10 finishes. Harry again proving his worth as one of England's best, if not the best man manager and Zola for restoring the faith in that occasionally great footballers don't always make crap managers.

Its hard to see Sparkie Hughes in the Citeh hotseat next year, their filthy rich owners will surely join the big name, win at all costs mentality. I am chuffed for Stoke, real passionate fans who must have enjoyed this season. Tony Pulis role in their success must not be overlooked, nor must Rory Delaps. The man with the humongous throw actually scored with one on Saturday. It was a shame they disallowed it.

For Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn and Portsmouth survival is success, especially at Fratton Park where under Tony Adams (see above Zola comments) Pompey appeared destined for relegation. Paul Hart, sacked by Rushden & Diamonds in late 2006, moved up from Youth coach and quietly without any fuss turned Pompey's fortunes around without Jermaine Defoe and Lassana Diarra, sold to balance the books.

If you've read this far, you will surely agree that most of the Premier League excitement belongs at the bottom. After West Brom's defeat to Liverpool, 4 teams are still in the battle to avoid the 2 remaining spots.

Sunderland need a point at home to Chelsea, defeat and wins for Hull and Newcastle will see them go down. The country meanwhile is riveted to the soap opera that is Newcastle United. Few outside of the city of Newcastle would shed a tear for one of the worst run clubs in the history of Association Football if they were to drop out of the top tier for the first time in 16 years. Watching the immaculate Shearer and the god ugly Dowie on the sidelines these past few weeks has been pure car crash TV, yet despite just one win in seven games under them both, a point at out of form Aston Villa could be enough to keep the Toon up.

This is all due to the total ineptitude of Hull City and permatan man Phil Brown. At the end of last December The Tigers looked to have cracked this Premier League lark, now 5 months after being in 5th place they stare relegation in the face.

Ever since Brown held a half-time team talk on the pitch, his self-importance grew, his tan got darker and he lost the players. For their stunned fans they have some terrific memories of some fine results but it's their tears the Sky cameras could be focusing on if they fail to beat the Champions on Sunday.

United will field a weakened (sic) side but a point you feel is the best they could hope for but with a crazed backing at the KC and with United minds elsewhere, Fergie may yet again contrive to stick the knife into Alan Shearer's career. Iain Dowie of course could do with a bit of surgery.

I have more time for Gareth Southgate but he, his players and the wide open gaps at The Riverside Saturday said it all and the Championship beckons unless they win well at Upton Park, and Hull and Newcastle lose.