EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 38

Liverpool FC are the undisputed champions of the English Premier League (2019/2020) season! Coming in as well to be the winner of the Champions League, Champions of Europe (Super Cup) and Champions of the World (World Club Cup)! It is even more momentous when you consider that the Reds last won it 30 years ago and this one was halted for awhile by a grave and dangerous pandemic. Liverpool are now 18 points ahead of 2nd placed City with one game left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAixsyx70AM (Champions of England)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xbcSnwCa-w (We Are The Champions)

There will be haters that scoff at the 30 year gap that they last won the title forgetting the history of the multiple champions and Kings of Europe but history are but a thing of the past. It got harder in the modern era of money soccer. Where others just bought the best players from around the world, Liverpool bought only where they needed. Neither Allison Becker or Virgil Van Dijk were the best in their position. They costs a lot more because that was the market at the time. All around the team were their own youth players or players who were unknown, rejected or relegated. Andy Robertson was relegated with Hull and cost 8 million pounds. Trent Alexander-Arnold cost nothing as he came from the academy. Joe Gomez was bought for 3.5 million pounds. Sadio Mane was 34 million, Mo Salah at 42 million was a reject at Chelsea. Roberto Firmino at 29 million. Georginio Wijnaldum cost 14.5 million from Newcastle. Nobody were fighting to buy these players and you can see how Klopp turned them into a team of winners. That is what greatness is and how a manager worked on the available resources and achieve greatness. 

Take Jordan Henderson, from nobody, nearly unwanted, spate of injuries to Liverpool Captain, Champions League, Super Cup and World Champion winner to being crowned English Champions to Football Writers' Footballer of the Year! Isn't this what dreams are made of to reality if you believe. This has made the story even better. 

Liverpool set a new record with 61 points from their opening 21 matches not just in the EPL but any top 5 European league and then again with 79 points from 27 matches. The most points of 104 over 38 matches in January. The 25 points lead at one stage was the biggest ever in the English top division. The most home wins at 24 and also became the earliest a team has ever won the title with 7 games left. To have lost the Champions League final with 2 goalkeeping blunders would have destroyed most teams if not all but they bounced back win it the very next season and along the way in the semi being 0-3 down from the Nou Camp despite playing so well and sent Barcelona with Lionel Messi on toll packing at Anfield with that historic awesome 4-0 win and they did that with their most important players Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino injured and out. How is that even possible? Even during this unprecedented pandemic, we could Liverpool's anthem (which has already been used many times by front line workers around the world) to walk on and You'll Never Walk Alone!

Liverpool won the title with 7 games left to play, still boast the best defensive record with 32 goals conceded. City are the finest goal machine with 97 goals. Chelsea (63 points), Leicester (62 pts), Manchester United (63) are battling for top four finish. At the bottom, the fight for survival may have a bit of twist. Norwich is going down. Bournemouth look like going down but Watford's 0-4 home defeat to City kept them at 34 points, 3 more than Bournemouth. Aston Villa's surprised 1-0 win over Arsenal brought them to 34 points just above Watford on goal difference. Villa's last match is a travel to West Ham who are already safe. Villa are now unbeaten in 3 matches having won 2 of them. Watford's last game is a visit to the Emirates to play Arsenal. Bournemouth's final game is a visit to Goodison Park to play Everton. Fate lies in each of their own hands. On goal difference, Villa are at -26, Watford -27 and Bournemouth -27. A win especially with a better goal difference could ensure their survival. Who among the three do you think will survive?

Jamie Vardy leads the goal-scoring chart with 23 goals, what an amazing feat for a 33 year old. Danny Ings with 21 playing for a Southampton side that have scored a total of 48 goals and conceded 59 - class player. Aubemeyang has 20 for Arsenal and he has scored 20 or more every season with consistency. Mo Salah and Raheem Sterling are both unorthodox forwards who are really wingers but each has 19.  Salah's numbers was highest the first season but has consistently at a high level. Sterling's numbers have been a remarkable increase each season. Wolves' Raul Jimenez at 17 is l a target of other clubs too with 5 other players tied at no.6 position - Liverpool's Sadio Mane was last season's joint top-scorer and his exploits will see him always in the thick of things. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is a fine young player with a bright future. Anthony Martial at one time looks a goner but has revived his career at United under Solskjear. Harry Kane who missed a part of the season still has 17 goals and his last two against Leicester were amazing and not only his goals but his range of passes. What a player!

As we brace ourselves for the last game of the season on Sunday, remember the new season has been slated to return on 12 September. It will get tougher for Liverpool as every team are beefing up and will love to beat the champions and hoping Liverpool will have to wait another 30 years. Instead they should take a leaf from Jurgen Klopp and take a look at themselves. I really like Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp because they have a philosophy and belief and they did their own things in their own way, developing young players and buying unknown players and turning them into stars. Such managers are a rarity in the world in a world of instant noodles and instant success. Let's enjoy the last match. 

Arsenal v Watford - Arsenal were looking good. A 2-1 win over Liverpool, 2-0 win over City in the F.A. Cup but it was "crash landing on you" when they were downed 0-1 at Villa Park that left them reeling in 10th, the worst position for the Gunners that I could remember. Can Watford stun them too? Watford's 0-4 humbling at home by City left them with 2 straight defeat and does not augur well for them. The Gunners are licking their wounds and Aubameyang is chasing the top scorer award. If Arsenal win and Burnley and Sheffield United do not, they could go up to a more respectable 8th. Its a home win for the Gunners at the Emirates. 2-0.

Burnley v Brighton - Burnley's form since the return has been impeccable. Even Liverpool cold not beat them. The same cannot be said of Brighton but they had two draws in their last two and are safe to fight another season. Sean Dyche with such limited finance has got Burnely to 9th. He is indeed an amazing manager. Ask all the big time big managers to manage Burnley with the same resources and see if they can even match him. Burnley to end on a high. 2-1.

Chelsea v Wolves - Chelsea's 3-5 defeat to Liverpool left them down to 4th as United were held by West Ham and now at 3rd due to superior goal difference as Chelsea have let in too many goals this season. Wolves' previous 3 games strongly suggest they are back to their best. Chelsea will treat this game like a cup final. They were good last week and shall be storming Wolves but the question is will their defence hold? Chelsea players must be fighting for their places next season. 2-1.

Crystal Palace v Spurs - Palace are one of the worst after returning and still without a win not even a draw. Not only that, their last 3 matches were all 0-2 defeat. They could not score. Spurs are purring at the moment. Mourinho is smiling again. Not only were they undefeated, they have been winning. Son and Kane are scoring for fun again. That 3-0 win over Leicester was really soomething. Harry Kane reminded everyone he is one of the best if not the best in the business in the EPL and I dare say Europe. His first goal saw him drifted too much to the left and it was an awkward angle but he just latched on and hit a low shot to the far post and just into the net. The excellent Kaspar Schmeichel could no reach it. Expert level. If this was very good, you must watch his second - an over hit pass again saw him drifted to the left. Kane stopped the ball, worked his way round a defender after shunting to the right and whipped in a curler that sailed into goal! That was not all. His amazing pass to Son for the first goal was something to behold. He received a high ball with his back to the opponent's goal in the middle, cotnrolled it, turned around and unleashed a long low pass with the outside of his foot to a speeding Son. Only Brazilians do that. Another brilliant pass to Son to the middle near the opponent's box certainly showed none of them were flukes. Welcome back Harry Kane. Spurs are flying again. 0-3.

Watch this if you have missed it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSpHGc-57TU (Spurs v Leicester)

Everton v Bournemouth - Everton recovered some pride with a 1-0 away win over Sheffield United but nothing much to shout about for the season. They have been poor. Bournemouth's impressive 4-1 win over Leicester was like fake news. It fizzled by the next dawn. An away win here could save them from the  dreaded drop provided Villa and Watford both lose. Everton just somehow managed a win at Bramall Lane after quite some time but at Goodison Park they are still too strong for Bournemouth. Its a cup final for Bournemouth but its a bit too late. 2-1.

Leicester v Manchester United - Whether Leicester make it to the Champions League rest entirely in their own hands now. They were clearly leading by many points but their return after lockdown was quite miserable. They went to Spurs and dominated and had 24 shots with 17 chances created but came away 0-3 losers no thanks to Harry Kane. Vardy is likely to win as the top scorer bu there is no harm in adding one more at least to cement it. Manchester United were going great guns but that 1-3 defeat to Chelsea in the F.A. Cup semi was a great dampener especially as David De Gea's performance which will make them nervy. In Bruno Fernandes, as good as he is, there is too much dependence on him to make things happen though Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood showed great promise. Leicester must not repeat that toothless show at Spurs where their final third did not make things happen. This will be the match of the day and shall be played like a cup final. It will not be easy as United were playing well but that 1-3 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea and 1-1 home draw with West Ham has cast doubts. Will the Foxes recover from the shock at Spurs? Manchester United will start as favourites since they only need a draw to be top four but I feel Leicester can nail it. 2-1.

Manchester City v Norwich - Another massacre is on the cards if you know what I mean. Norwich were long gone. City will be the team to watch next season. I guess they will hit a 100 goals or more again and probably without reply. Its a no brainer. Leeds United have won promotion. Welcome back. They will need to learn from Norwich even if they think they are better unless Marcelo Bielsa can work another miracle. Kevin De Bruyne will tear them apart. 4-0.

Newcastle v Liverpool - Winless Newcastle welcome champions Liverpool who won it with 7 matches left and received their crown at Anfield v Chelsea. I am sure the Reds would like to end the season with a bang. Take a look at that 8-goal slam bang thriller at Anfield. How good was Naby Keita's goal?! That glorious free-kick goal by TAA. Wijnaldum's thunderbolt, Firmino's firm header where he finally got his Anfield goal and the final hammer by Chamberlain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05TKv-iRMwk (Liverpool v Chelsea)

I would think Liverpool will just go enjoy themselves while Newcastle's poor form will see the Reds cruising to a win. 0-3.

Southampton v Sheffield United - Ralph Hassenhuttl has built a quality side. They have won 2 and drew 3 in their last five. They deserved all the respect. The same can be said about Sheffield United under Chris Wilder. The Blades were very good but returned poorly then have a short impressive revival but have been defeated in their last two. Meanwhile, the Saints look unbeatable. A win for Southampton. 2-1.

West Ham v Aston Villa - The Hammers return to form was timely to save their season. They are safe at 37 points as the chasing pack have done worse. Their inferior goal difference but superior compared to the rest meant they are safe. Villa have suddenly been on song and their fighting spirit is alive. Two wins and a draw brought them to 17th level on points with Watford with a one goal  advantage in goal difference. A Watford and Bournemouth win if they don't would be disastrous for them. So it is now totally in their hands - to get a win against all odds. A draw will only save them if both Watford and Bournemouth both flounder. If all three were defeated so long as they keep that one goal advantage will see the slimmest of survival. Villa may just make the greatest escape of recent times. 2-2.

With this the season ends. We can only pray and hope for the end of CoVid19 that has disrupted so much of our life, killed many and hurt much. Take care, stay safe. Till we meet again.