Premiership +

The title race is quite exciting isn't it? Well exciting if you are a Chelsea or Man U fan or a Sky Sports producer. The rest of us don't care two hoots do we?

Before I get onto that, the relegation battle is settled after West Ham beat Wigan 3-2 at Upton Park on Saturday. Scott Parker, often the Hammers lone crusader this season scoring the cracking winner. Parker is to this day one of the best players I have ever seen in a Charlton shirt. His goal on Saturday was no surprise to me and not just because he is so talented - a talent hugely dampened by a big money move to Chelsea by the way - but because he plays every game like it is his last. Parker is a natural leader and whatever the badge on his shirt, supporters will never be able to knock his commitment.

Iain Dowie of course is a different kettle of fish. After taking Palace and Newcastle down and being instrumental in Charlton's demise he has added Hull City to his CV. I mean Gianfranco Zola gets some stick but after Burnley appointed Brian Laws and Hull Iain Dowie, Stuart Kilpatrick could have kept West Ham up.

The Hammers are poor as have been Wigan, Wolves and Bolton for big chunks of the season but with Portsmouth's financial issues and 10 point deduction and Coyle's departure for Bolton knocking the absolute stuffing out of Burnley plus Adam Pearson's boot sale appointment of Dowie they can all count themselves lucky to survive. With Newcastle and a regenerated WBA next season two of those four might not be so lucky.

Back to the top then and the strange idea that Liverpool fans actually want to lose on Sunday against Chelsea to prevent United winning a stand-alone 19th league crown. Chelsea for me have had the edge all season and as they proved again yesterday have been often thrashing teams at will.

United's game at Sunderland is not clear cut. Bruce has a good record against his mentor Fergie but there is quite a collection of old United players at the Stadium of Light and to beat United every player will have to be at 110% and I wonder if that will be the case.

Liverpool's season and the team that Benitez puts out will probably depend on if they beat Atletico on Thursday. Liverpool can still make 4th place but it appears unlikely especially with City and Spurs meeting in their joint game in hand. If City beat Villa at Eastlands on Saturday it would put the Arabs in pole position.

As for Arsenal, well boring, boring 3rd for Arsene and his young team. Wouldn't it be great to see the Gunners go out and buy a couple of quality players in the summer - a keeper, a central defender and a striker and really challenge for the title next season? You never know in a years time we may have a four horse race. Now that would be exciting.