More drama still to come in the Champions League race?

Posted by Rebecca Lowe on 06/05/2010

Tottenham secured fourth with a 1-0 win at Eastlands © Getty Images

Manchester City vs Tottenham was an unbelievable game. As a neutral, it was just brilliant to watch. I didn’t care who won, I just really enjoyed the tempo of the game. In the second half, I thought Tottenham were outstanding and they really deserved to win.

It’s a real spanner in the works for City’s grand plan for world domination, though, and means they’re not going to be able to attract the kind of players they want. How many of these players who have - allegedly - joined City for the money are going to want to stay for another year to try again to break into the Champions League?

It was interesting that, when Craig Bellamy went to shake Harry Redknapp’s hand at the end of the game, he had a big smile on his face. He’d just lost the game and any chance of fourth place, but he had this big smile on his face. You just think, ‘I wonder where Bellamy’s playing next season...’ I’m not saying he’s going to Spurs, but I’m just not sure he’s very happy at Manchester City.

I also don’t think for a second that Roberto Mancini will be there next season, and I just wonder if the time has come for Jose Mourinho to return to England to a club that’s still on the rise. It’s a challenge and - with the chequebook the size that it is - it’s the kind of challenge Mourinho might relish.

The result on Wednesday was disappointing from an ESPN point of view because we were hoping of course to have their destinies decided on Sunday, but the flip side of that is that we are going to be at Burnley vs Tottenham and, somehow, Tottenham can still finish third.

If they beat Burnley and Arsenal lose to Fulham, Spurs will automatically qualify for the Champions League and they don’t have to go through the dreaded qualification round that Everton found very difficult a few seasons ago.

I actually don’t think that’s out of the realms of possibility. It’s hard to see Burnley taking something. We covered Burnley’s game against Manchester City a couple of months ago when they went 3-0 down inside the first six minutes and that was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had as a broadcaster. On Monday, we had Arsenal at Blackburn on Monday, and they’re not looking in great shape.

Fulham are obviously not going to play their strongest side against Arsenal on Sunday because they’ve got the Europa League final on the Wednesday, but I just don’t think an upset at Emirates Stadium is out of the question.

It’s a strange time for Arsenal. Before the 0-0 draw with Manchester City last month, I sat down with Arsene Wenger for half an hour. He was fantastic. They’d just lost to Wigan so he wasn’t in a great mood, but he was his intelligent and insightful self and gave me some great insights into how he believes the club is still moving in the right direction.

I asked him ahead of the Blackburn game if he thought he was stubborn - it’s a word that’s been bandied about a lot in relation to Wenger - and he virtually admitted that he was. He can be quite stubborn on everything, from transfer policy to standing there doing an interview after he’s just lost to Blackburn.

After that game, he was as monosyllabic as he’s ever been when I’ve interviewed him, and I’ve interviewed him many, many times.

It’s so difficult because everyone enjoys watching Arsenal play, but they’ve gone five years without a trophy. I’m sure they’ve moved forwards greatly in terms of youth policy, but the silverware isn’t there and they’re in danger now of becoming the forgotten force of English football.

Last but by no means least, of course, it’s important to remember that the title can still turn on its head on the final day. Chelsea will secure first place if they beat Wigan at Stamford Bridge, and many think it’s a foregone conclusion, but I think Wigan are genuinely capable of providing an upset.

If there is any club down at the bottom that Sir Alex Ferguson would want Chelsea to play, it’s Wigan. With the exception of Manchester United, Roberto Martinez has an excellent record against the top teams this season and they seem to raise their game for the big matches.

I think Chelsea are going to have enough, but I don’t think it’ll be a straightforward 3-0. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wigan scored a goal and gave Chelsea a scare.

I think Stoke will be a fairly straightforward game for United, though. They go into it under no real pressure at all because no one expects them to win the title.

Chelsea should have enough in the end, but it’s going to be a fascinating day and I’m just so grateful that the Premier League has thrown up a final day title decider. This season has been so unpredictable and it still could go either way.

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