Weekend In Review Assessess The Shape Of Things To Come: 5/11

Blackburn 2-0 Portsmouth

We'll be seeing more of Blackburn Rovers in the Prem next year thanks to this win, as they are all but mathematically assured of staying up now. Portsmouth still has the magical 38 points that is always assumed to be enough to stay up themselves, though they are further from mathematical safety than their Saturday opponents.

Bolton 0-0 Sunderland

Bolton find themselves in the same boat as Blackburn after gaining a home point against the Black Cats, as they can only be relegated by goal difference, and their goal difference is currently superior to all teams below them in the table. Sunderland could have gotten much more use out of a win, but they are still five points clear of dropping down ahead of the massive relegation match on Monday.

Everton 0-0 Tottenham

Tim Howard's club record 16th clean sheet of the campaign was enough for them to officially secure a Europa League spot next season, and it was a significant hit to Spurs chances at the same competition. This may actually end up benefitting Tottenham in their hopes of cracking the Top 4 next year, which both of these clubs should compete for once again.

Fulham 3-1 Aston Villa

The Londoners are sitting in the all-important 7th spot at the moment, and while they are not assured of that spot, they look the likely team given their form. It's nearly impossible to remember that Villa were strongly competing for a Champions League spot earlier this season, but even if Everton passes them up for 5th place, they'll still see European action in the fall.

Hull City 1-2 Stoke City

Hull City, as high as third in the league early on this season, are now languishing three points over the drop zone, and could find themselves in it should Newcastle win on Monday, or even if Middlesbrough were to win by three or more (note: that definitely won't happen). Stoke City, possibly the least notable of the three promotees over the course ofthis season, guaranteed their place for next season. Congrats to the Potters and their supporters!

West Bromwich Albion 3-1 Wigan

The Baggies remain bottom of the table, though this decisive win brought them even with Newcastle and Boro ahead of the Monday match. They are considerably further away from the drop than they were three weeks ago. Wigan ain't got shit to play for, and apparently they played like it. As long as their home pitch continues to frustrate the shit out of Arsene Wenger, they're welcome in my Prem.

West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool

The Hammers' chances at the final Europa League spot took a huge hit on Saturday, but a minor miracle could still see them through. Liverpool's victory allowed its fans to see them on top of the table for one final day, albeit on goal differential, before Man U took over the top spot for good.

Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City

The Manchester derby goes quite predictably, as United retake the league's top spot, most likely for good. The Red Devils could have the league title completely sewn up before Liverpool takes the field again next Sunday. City, meanwhile, must start preparing for how they'll spend their vast billions next year so that they can be, you know, relevant.

Arsenal 1-4 Chelsea

Chelsea punished and abused the Gunners and clinched the final automatic qualification for next year's Champions League group stage. Though the Blues are mathematically alive for the league title, their home stretch is all about picking up a trophy from the FA Cup final against Everton at the end of the month. Arsenal will finish fourth and may spend the summer fielding the highest volume of questions about whether they will be the one of the Big Four whose position as such could be stolen away next season.

Newcastle v. Middlesbrough

This Monday match, alluded to quite a few times above, has massive relgation implications in the final stages of this campaign.

Promotion Watch:

The Championship concluded last week, and the two automatic promotees ended up being Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City. The promotion playoff also began this weekend, with Preston North End hosting a 1-1 draw against Premier League Yo-Yo Sheffield United on Friday, and Burnley winning their home semifinal leg against last year's unfortunate relegation sufferers Reading, 1-0. The semifinals conclude this Monday/Tuesday.

Elsewhere:

In Scotland, the final Old Firm match of the Scottish campaign took place Saturday, and Rangers defeated Celtic, 1-0, to leapfrog their archrivals and take a two point lead in the league with three matches to play.

In Spain, Real Madrid was blown out by Valencia, 3-0, on Saturday, which gave Barcelona a chance to win the league outright on Sunday. The Catalans has a 3-1 through 75 minutes against the Yellow Submarine, but Eric Abidal was sent off late, and Villareal were able to slot home a penalty and an extra time equalizer to deny Barca the trophy presentation. Now, if Madrid fails to defeat Villareal next Saturday, Barcelona can celebrate the La Liga title before taking to the pitch next Sunday

In Italy, Inter and AC Milan both played to draws on Sunday, leaving Jose Mourinho's Inter side on the brink of the Serie A title, as their lead remained seven points with a mere three mathces remaining.

In Germany, the Bundesliga title race took another turn Saturday, when league leaders Wolfsburg fell 4-1 at Stuttgart. Bayern Munich were able to take advantage of the opening with a 3-1 victory, which brought them even on points with Wolfsburg, though Munich are behind by two on goal difference. Hertha Berlin also won 2-0 to move within one point of the top, and Stuttgart moved within two points. With three matches remaining, the race is completely wide open (which is more than I can say for the races in England, Spain and Italy).

Goal(s) of the Week:

Videos were running a tad dry, so this is a set of the potential MLS Goals Of The Week. One note: to the American announcer who referred to one of the goals as "an absolute corker", I think that phrase only works right if you've got a British accent.



Midweek Action:

Cup finals in Spain and Italy as Barcelona looks for their first trophy in the Copa Del Rey final versus Athletic Bilbao, and the Coppa Italia final pits Genoan side Sampdoria against Roman side Lazio in Rome. Man U plays Wigan midweek to finally catch up to the rest of the league and assert its final dominance over all comers. Bundesliga and the Scottish Premier League have a bunch of midweek matches as well. Enjoy it while it's stil here, folks.

Weekend In Review posts Mondays at 8:15.