EPL title-decider: City face West Ham, Liverpool lurk in the shadows

Penultimate fixtures arrive as the Reds look for win over Newcastle.

MANCHESTER:

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has no doubts his side have the composure to capture a second Premier League title in three years when they host West Ham United on Sunday.

Four straight wins, including Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, mean that City effectively need only a draw against Sam Allardyce’s team on the season’s final day to secure the championship.

While City are two points clear of Liverpool, who host Newcastle United, their goal difference is superior by 13 goals.

Their recent run has put them in control of their own fate and Fernandinho has no worries about the team’s attitude going into the West Ham match.

“A lot has been changing at the top of the table over the last few weeks,” said the Brazil midfielder, who has been named in his country’s World Cup squad.

“A lot of results have been good for us, but bad for the other two [Liverpool and Chelsea]. The whole squad is calm.”

Pellegrini is also confident that nerves will not be a problem for his side.

“I think it is very important for the manager to be calm, to try to repeat what we did the whole year,” he said. “We must prepare the same way.”



Liverpool title bid not over: Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that his side will not give up on the Premier League title despite the odds being stacked against them on Sunday’s final day.

Rodgers needs leaders City to lose at home to West Ham and for his side to beat Newcastle at Anfield to become the first Liverpool manager to oversee a top-flight championship success since 1990.

“It’s certainly not over,” said Rodgers, who will welcome back midfielder Jordan Henderson from suspension. “The expectancy is on City to win, but it won’t be easy for them. If West Ham can go to Tottenham and win 3-0, they can certainly go to City and win.”

But whether results go Liverpool’s way or not, Rodgers believes that his team will build on their progress from seventh place last season to a guaranteed top-two finish and a place in the Champions League.

“If we win the game and end up not winning the title, to finish second to the richest team in the history of sport really shows the measure and progress we have made here.”

Mourinho plans overhaul after current season

Jose Mourinho’s thoughts are already turning to next season after Chelsea’s interest in the Premier League title race was ended before their final-day trip to Cardiff City.

Mourinho’s team will face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s relegated side at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday knowing they are almost certain to finish the season in third position.

Chelsea’s challenge has fallen short because of their failures in front of goal, and Mourinho’s priority is now to remedy that weakness in the transfer market.

“A striker is something we have been speaking about for a long time,” said Mourinho

“We have good strikers and we are not in a desperate situation, but every team wants the summer window to improve.”

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger admits he still has more work to do in the close-season before fourth-placed Arsenal will be at the level required to win the Premier League again.

“We have to continue to develop as a team,” said Wenger, whose side faces Norwich City on Sunday. “We have bridged a big gap from last season and we want to be better next season.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2014.

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