English Premier League: Title May have been Decided but Plenty of Developments Elsewhere in the Standings

Though Manchester United have already sealed the league title this season, Old Trafford was once again the scene of a rather significant scoreline as Chelsea grabbed a hugely important win over the newly crowned Premier League Champions. The win sees the Blues return to third in the standings at a time when the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham may well have been seen this fixture as an opportunity to leapfrog their London rivals. As it stands though, Juan Mata’s deflected strike gave the visitors a 1-0 victory making them apparent favourites to secure Champions League football in the coming campaign.

The success came a day after both Arsenal and Spurs had also won by a goal to nil against Queens Park Rangers and Southampton on Saturday afternoon. Theo Walcott netted for the Gunners after just 20 seconds, while Gareth Bale once again proved to be his sides match-winner with a wonderful strike four minutes from time against his former employers. Tottenham now face a short trip to Chelsea on Wednesday evening in a game that looks set to make or break their hopes of Champions League qualification. With what is arguably an easier run-in, could Arsenal be set to snatch fourth-spot in the Premier League this year?

The final Europe League place meanwhile looks set to be awarded to Everton. Their goalless draw at Liverpool in the Merseyside derby seems them remain five points clear of the Reds with just two games remaining. Sylvain Distin had a goal disallowed for the Toffees, but nonetheless the result will most likely be particularly satisfying for Everton boss David Moyes.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa picked up their second successive win after dispatching Norwich City by as score of two goals to one. Gabby Agbonlahor’s brace negated Grant Holt’s penalty, in a result that sees the Villains move onto 40 points and surely secure Premier League survival. Perhaps bigger still, in terms of significance at least, was Wigan’s 3-2 success at West Brom. A dramatic tie saw the Latics twice come from behind to level, before Callum McManaman struck a late winner to keep Wigan’s hopes of safety very much alive and kicking. We’ve seen it before from Roberto Martinez’s men, but surely his side can’t pull of the impossible once again?

While Wigan and Aston Villa maintain hope of Premier League survival, for Reading the dream is unfortunately over. However that didn’t stop the Royals from picking up an impressive 4-2 win at Craven Cottage against an out-of-form Fulham side. Hal Robson Kanu was the hero with two goals for the visitors, while strikes from Adam Le Fondre and Jem Karacan ensured that Bryan Ruiz’s brace for Fulham was to be in vain. The three points restores a degree of pride for Reading, who now move off the foot of the table – three points ahead of Queens Park Rangers.

Troubled Newcastle remain very much in a perilous position after a 0-0 draw at Upton Park against West Ham. It was the fourth time in their last six games that the Magpies have failed to score a goal, a worrying statistic that speaks volumes of their concerning slide towards the Premier League’s bottom three. Just three points clear of Wigan, Newcastle are in dire need of three points from either of their final two games, first against QPR and then against Arsenal. Finally, Swansea and Manchester City played out an uninspiring stalemate in Wales that really does little for either team at this stage of the season.

Monday evening will see Sunderland host Stoke, in a game that could have huge repercussions on who is relegated from the division this year. One more win for the hosts could see them safe and confirm Paolo Di Canio’s fledgling Black Cats career as something of a success already. Either way, with important matters in terms of both relegation and European qualification to be settled, make sure you stay tuned for all the updates from the English Premier League.