In a dramatic final day of the Premier League season, Blackpool and Birmingham City were relegated while Wolves stayed up despite losing 3-2 at home to Blackburn.
Of the five teams in danger of being relegated, Blackpool had the toughest fixture, as they had to travel to Old Trafford and play the champions. Despite going a goal down to a Park goal, Blackpool fought back and halfway through the second half led 2-1, a result that would have kept them in the Premier League. But Blackpool’s defence has leaked goals all season and they did so again today as three United goals send Ian Holloway’s side down.
League Cup winners Birmingham City stated the day outside the bottom three, but lost 2-1 at Spurs, who qualified for the Europa League next season with the win. At one point a Craig Gardner goal had brought Birmingham level, a point that would have kept them up. But a late deflected shot by Roman Pavlyuchenko sent Birmingham down, a result that might send the club into administration.
One of the survivors was Wolves who appeared to be relegated after going into half-time three nil down to fellow strugglers Blackburn. But two second half goals, the second with three minutes left in the game, was enough to see Wolves finish about Birmingahm by a goal.
Wigan also pulled themselves out of the relegation zone after a 1-0 victory at Stoke. Seven points from their last three games was enough to give Wigan a miracle escape.
Elsewhere, Manchester City confirmed their place in the Champions League group stage with a 2-0 defeat of Bolton. Arsenal finished in fourth after drawing 2-2 at Fulham.
image source: Daily Mail