Play-off Update: Welcome Blackpool!

Say hello to the latest addition to the Premier League next season!

BLACK-POOL FC!

It was the final of all finals. Such a fantastic season for these men in English football and what better way to end it than a resounding 3-2 victory over the Welsh men, Cardiff City in the Wembly Final.

To start with, Cardiff City led 2-1 with just a few minutes to go, but goals galore soon changed that as Blackpool won and were promoted to the FA Premier League for the first time in their uneventful history.

The Blue fans looked happy as they were looking to enter the Prem. also for the first time in their history too, but soon realized that it would be much longer for that crazy dream to happen as they lost the position in less than 14 minutes.

So these are next-season's new Prem. teams:

Newcastle FC

West Brom Albion

Blackpool FC

Till next time!

FA Cup Update: Yet another terrible way to finish the season...

Chelsea have made this season a very bad one for me as they rounded up the 09/10 season with their first DOUBLE (League + Cup in 1 year) in their "unfortunate" history. The Blues defeated 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth by a single goal courtesy of Didier Drogba in a packed Wembly Stadium. The latter team played well in both halves (especially the first one) but could not cope with the 31-year-old's freekick from long range. David James was excellent in goal for the rest of the game, but the damage was already done. This was to be Portsmouth's last game as a Prem. League team this season and will now prepare for the un-daunting task of making a brand new squad with almost no money for the next soccer term in the Championship.

So long Portsmouth!

I'm not happy for you Chelsea!

Till next time.

Europa League Update: Athletico win a "no-chance" Fulham.

BUT FIRST: Thank you, Athetico Madrid, for making sure no English club won a European title this season. Hip, hip....Hooray!

BACK TO THE FACTS: What a way to end a season! Athletico Madrid made sure that Fulham fans won't be gloating next season with a 2-1 victory over the Cottagers. This, by the way, is the Spanish team's 27th title victory it's rich history (while Fulham have never even won a trophy in years). Though the West Londoners pulled-up a fight, it was clearly not a reasonable one, as former Man. United player - Diego Forlan, scored the goals to lift the giant trophy, capping off a semi-amazing season for the Madrid men.

Hmm. What else should I say....

OH YEAH...

Fulham were clearly the underdogs in this special final, but as with nearly all underdogs, they lose. So this was a match everyone should have predicted easily...

But who cares, what we really want is the Champions League!!

Till next time!

Chelsea win the Title :(

Dear Readers,

I am starting this report differently. Sunday was my worst day in Football for 4 years as my worst fears were confirmed. Chelsea won the title whilst thrashing Wigan Athletic 8-0.

This game was entirely painted Blue (get it?).

Of course Wigan were the underdogs. But today was a bit different. After a demolition of Stoke and Liverpool, my prediction came true. Though I didn't expect such a large margin, their performances were over the roof, if not, the sky. They played amazingly.

Maybe if Caldwell wasn't sent off, Wigan might have had a chance?

Only God knows.

These were the Goal scorers:

Anelka (x2)

Lampard

Kalou

Drogba (x3...what do you expect?)

and last (but surely the LEAST)

Cole....

NOTE: For the record I didn't want Manchester United to win either (but in this case, they had to).

ManU 4-0 Stoke

Arsenal 4-0 Fulham

Hull 0-0 Liverpool (ha ha!)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING TEAMS:

Chelsea

Manchester U.

Arsenal

Tottenham

EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFYING TEAMS:

Aston Villa

Manchester C.

Liverpool

TOP GOAL SCORER PRIZE GOES TO: Drogba - 29 goals

TOP MANAGER: Harry Redknapp (Tottenham) - For helping Spurs to their first Champions league season.

TOP PLAYER: Rooney (another outstanding season for Wazza!).

My Awards:

MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS (Not Biased, look, I even added Spurs players!)

Gomes (Tottenham - GK)

Bendtner (Arsenal - ST in goal scoring...not form)

Walcott (Arsenal - FR)

Ilan (West Ham - ST)

Pavlyochenko (Tottenham - ST)

Bent (Sunderland - ST)

Piquonne (Portsmouth - ST, too bad he won't be here next season)

Fabregas (Arsenal - MF)

Comment and Add your thoughts below on your Most improved players...(Please).

Another Arsenal Defeat as Chelsea and Man U take the Title Race to the last day!

BUT FIRST: Even though we (Arsenal) are out of the Premier League Title race by miles, I am still disappointed at our recent form with just 1 point from 4 games. It seems that teams like Blackburn and Wigan are having the times of their lives beating us easily and happily....

BACK TO THE FACTS: Arsenal (the worst team as at now) have lost again to another small-in-comparision team, Blackburn, 2-1 at Ewood Park on Monday. I have nothing good to say, except for the fact that we took the lead through Van Persie, which was his first goal since coming back from his 5-month injury. After that, we fell apart like we did against Wigan, losing in one of the most uncomfortable ways. For an Arsenal Fan like me, I feel let down by the club again and now feel that Arsene should revamp his squad if he wants to win anything decent (like my support) next season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea impressed their own fans again after another delighting performance against Liverpool, who were at home winning 2-0 in a very disgraceful match for the Kop Reds, after Steven Gerrard handed Chelsea the lead after a clumsy pass to Drogba allowing the Blues striker to slot his 26 goal this season. Lampard later made it 2-0 in the 54th minute. This defeat meant Liverpool will not qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League (my prediction is gently working!).

Elsewhere, Man U. rounded up a good display against Sunderland, who though tried their best, still lost 1-0 to the Red Devils. Nani was the lone scorer in a game that any-one could have won (really). But that's it from this match. With this result, both teams, Chelsea and Man U. will take the title race to the last day as Chelsea meet Wigan and Man U. take on Stoke City.

Sorry, I can't write much again. I am still depressed about Arsenal's recent performances. Can't really concentrate on the other "normal" teams. Anyway.....

PREDICTION: Forget my former goal difference league victory prediction. Chelsea is surely going to win this league. Man U. will finish second and Tottenham in fourth.

Till next time!

UEFA Champions League Update: I was Right!

BUT FIRST: If you read my last post, you would see that my predictions came true. WOO-HOO! Now Bayern have a chance to win another cup.....

BACK TO THE FACTS: After what was seen as a pretty average game at the Allianz Arena some time ago, Bayern have made sure their French counterparts Lyon didn't shock their critics once more to make it to the next round, the Madrid Final, after a fantastic game which saw Ivica Olic scoring all goals with a hat-trick in a game that ended 3-0 to the Germans (4-0 on aggregate). It was a game that pretty much anyone would have won, but after the Cris, the French side's captain, was sent off, the game very much belonged to the Germans once more. This victory saw Bayern qualify for their first final since winning it in 2001. The side is the only team, (aside from Real Madrid) that has actually won the cup three times in a row (1973 - 1976 seasons).

Italian giants Inter Milan, coached by Jose Mourinho (the best manager in the world, hope he comes to Arsenal!) has once again led a side to the CL final (the other being Porto) after a 3-2 aggregate win despite Barcelona defeating them 1-0 at the Camp Nou. It was a good tactical win for the Nerazzurri, holding the play for the aggregate victory. The only goal of the match was scored by Pique in the 84' minute, but it proved to be just a concellation (the spelling is wrong). Inter are in the Final!

Now it comes down to this. The Final is on May 22nd 2010 and I am sure both managers are within touching distance of one of the greatest victories of their careers....

PREDICTION: I am supporting Bayern, but I feel Inter Milan will win this with difficultly in a classic match off. (Maybe 2-1 to Inter?)

Till next time!

Arsenal down and out as Chelsea storm Stoke!

BUT FIRST: I must say as an Arsenal fan, I feel sad to say that we are out of the Title race unless a miracle happens (which hardly does)!

Ok back to the facts, on Saturday, Arsenal failed to record another 3 points as they drew with a very defensive Manchester City side 0-0. This also confirmed Arsenal leaving the Title Race to just Chelsea and Manchester United, who both recorded wins against Stoke, 7-0 (incredible) and Tottenham (3-1) respectively. Arsenal, who have collected just 1 point from their last 3 games, were pressing hard for goals in a massive display but Man. City, who had just recovered from a Man. United shocker, were on hand to hold the Gunners for the whole match and prevent them from having any chances on winning the league again.

Elsewhere, Burnley were officially relegated from the Prem. after a 4-0 defeat to Champions League hunting Liverpool at home. It was a great first half for the Clarets, but 2 goals from Gerrard, and goals from Maxi and Babel quickly changed the emotions at Turf Moor in the second half.

In a derby clash, Aston Villa are just a fingertip away from CL football next season with a controversial win over massive rivals Birmingham City. It was a penalty seven minutes from time that confirmed the victory for Villa as they make it 3 wins out of 3 games. This, with Tottenham's defeat, makes them level on points with the Spurs with only goal difference and amount of games played (Aston Villa has played one more) dividing the two.

Note: Hull are relegated from the Prem. unless they score 50 goals in their next few games (impossible!).

Meanwhile, Everton might be definitely out for CL qualification but they are keeping their hopes alive for a Europa League place with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Fulham.

My Predictions: The race will come down to the last day with Chelsea winning the League and Manchester United losing the League on Goal Difference. Tottenham will finish in 4th with Aston Villa and Liverpool qualifying for Europa League spots. Blackburn might finish in the top half with their impressive de-fence and Sunderland in 12th. The FA Cup might end in nightmare for Portsmouth or another shocker for Chelsea.

UEFA Champions League: Despite Lyon's fantastic determination, they are no match for a skilled Bayern side, who could win Lyon in the next leg at the Stade de Gerland. Inter Milan can and will hold off Barcelona's small home advantage to get to the second final spot. So expect:

BAYERN MUNICH vs INTER MILAN

Till next time!

Hey to all Football Fans!

Hey, my name is Ikenna Kanu and I this is my blog on the Football topics every week. I would officially start on the World Cup 2010 ALTHOUGH I could comment on the last Premiership days. I'm an Arsenal fan and still waiting for a trophy to be won though!