Chelsea cemented their spot on top of the ladder with a convincing display at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea knew only a win would do as Man United had won on Saturday to put the pressure firmly on the Blues. However Chelsea didn't look like a side under any pressure with Kalou scoring a hatrick and Lampard with a brace. Chelsea are now one point clear of United with two games to go. Chelsea travel to Liverpool next week for a blockbuster that will go a long way to sealing their fate.
Manchester United ended Tottenham's good form with a 3-1 win at the theatre of dreams. Two penalties from Giggs and a fantastic chip from Nani ensured Fergies' men will do all they can to win a 4th straight League title. The loss for Spurs lets Man City and Villa right back into the race for 4th and ensures a tense finish to the season for Rednapp's men.
Burnley hosted Liverpool and needed all 3 points to avoid relegation however a Steven Gerrard inspired performance gave Liverpool a comfortable 4-0 win. Burnley are now the 2nd team to be relegated and join Portsmouth in the Championship next season. Meanwhile Hull City seems destined to join them after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland. Bent was on the score sheet again as Hull City face a near impossible task of winning their last 2 games and hoping results go their way elsewhere to stay in the top flight. West Ham can pencil in Premiership football after beating Wigan 3-2 at home. Scott Parker scored a brilliant winner in a game that has all but sealed safety for the Claret and Blues.
Manchester City threw a great chance away of catching Spurs as they travelled to the Emirates needing a result. In a lacklustre game that ended 0-0, Cities keeper Given was stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder which rules him out for the season. City now need to win their remaining 3 games to guarantee champions league football next season. Villa also kept their slim chances of 4th place going with a hard fought 1-0 derby win over Birmingham City. Villa need results to go with them as they also need 3 points from each of their remaining 2 games.
Everton hosted Fulham at Goodison Park on Sunday and continued their fantastic form with a 2-1 win. Arteta converted from the spot late on to take all 3 points. Bolton hosted Portsmouth and went 2-0 up early, only to see Pompey score 2 goals in the 2nd half to share the spoils at the Reebok. In the Midlands Wolves and Blackburn played out an entertaining 1-1 all draw. Wolves are now safe and Blackburn continue their impressive 2nd half to the season.
Chelsea
80
Man Utd
79
Arsenal
72
Tottenham
64
Aston Villa
64
Man City
63
Liverpool
62
Everton
57
Birmingham
47
Sunderland
44
Blackburn
44
Fulham
43
Stoke City
43
Bolton
36
Wolves
35
Wigan Athletic
35
West Ham Utd
34
Hull City
28
Burnley
27
Portsmouth
16
* Portsmouth deducted 9 points for going into administration.
"Christians in Sport UK" has a regular 'team talk' teaching on their web site and the current one is the 4th in the series of 'Sport and Christianity'. It is well worth reading or listening to on MP3.
http://www.christiansinsport.org.uk/main/resources/resources-intro/blog/team-talk-250909