The English Premier League season finale witnessed the highs and lows for the clubs who would now have to prepare for the changes as well as challenges for next season. PHOTO: AFP
WEST BROMWICH:
Robin van Persie said Manchester United were already looking to the future after Alex Ferguson closed the book on his 26-and-a-half-year managerial tenure with an incredible 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.
The madcap game brought Ferguson’s long, record-breaking reign (1500th game) to a breathless climax and meant United finished the season 11 points above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
United will begin life under new manager David Moyes on July 1 and despite sadness at Ferguson’s departure, Van Persie said he and his fellow players were already plotting their assault on next season’s silverware.
“That’s our standard for this team,” the Dutch striker told United’s in-house television channel MUTV. “This is a great team and, hopefully, we can go for even more trophies. I’m sure we can.”
With veteran midfielder Paul Scholes joining Ferguson in retirement, United were looking to sign off with victory at The Hawthorns on Sunday, but they returned to Manchester with only a point despite having led 3-0 and 5-2.
Meanwhile, Michael Carrick, United’s captain for the day, admitted that knowledge of Ferguson’s imminent retirement had cast a shadow over the day.
“It’s a bit funny in the dressing room because of the situation,” Carrick told BBC Sport.
“We’ve thanked the manager for everything he’s done and he’s thanked us. We’re ready to move on and there are new challenges for all of us.”
‘Chelsea will challenge for title’
Rafael Benitez insists he has left behind a Chelsea side capable of challenging for the Premier League title next season after ending his six-month reign with the 2-1 victory over Everton that secured a third-placed finish.
And he maintains he leaves Chelsea in a better state for his successor, likely to be Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, than when he took over from Roberto Di Matteo in November.
“It has been a great experience,” said Benitez. “You take a team that was in transition, with young players, and now we have left a good team with more experience, more character, scoring goals, more balance.
“I think it will be good for the next manager, who will have a very good team, and the owner will bring in more players. This team will challenge for the title next year.”
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger admits he is delighted Arsenal have proved the critics wrong after his team secured their place in the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Newcastle.
“I am proud of the spirit and character of the team,” said Wenger. “They have shown me in the last two months that they are exceptional. They have finished with 73 points, which is three more than last season.”
On the other hand, to finish fourth Andre Villas-Boas’ side had to beat Sunderland, which they did courtesy Gareth Bale’s 88th-minute winner as Tottenham won 1-0.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to Jamie Carragher after the veteran defender bowed out with an emotional farewell in his side’s 1-0 win over QPR at Anfield.
“He’s an incredible player, a colossal player and still fit and strong at 35,” said Rodgers. My biggest regret is not having longer to work with him, I would have liked that.”
winners and losers
Champions League
Man United
Man City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Europa League
Tottenham
Wigan
Swansea
Teams relegated
Wigan
Reading
QPR
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ