Fulham Escape, West Ham Fight On
Relegation Worries for Wigan,Charlton and Sheffield as Tevez Scores
The relegation battle continues as Fulham reach safety but West Ham's win thanks to Tevez's two goals increases the problems for Charlton, Wigan and Sheffield United
There’s only one week left in the English Premiership season but the relegation issue is set to run to the last kick on the final Sunday and then possibly throughout the summer. West Ham United’s great escape continues, Fulham thanks to Liverpool’s generosity are safe for another year while Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United will have an anxious week.
Fulham’s final home game at Craven Cottage was against Champions League finalists, Liverpool. As he did at Portsmouth last weekend, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez rested most of his star players. He made nine changes to the side that defeated Chelsea in midweek, with only goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Jermaine Pennant playing. This was a bonus for Lawrie Sanchez as he attempted to lift Fulham away from relegation. A goal from Clint Dempsey with twenty minutes remaining gave Fulham the three points they needed for survival in the Premiership. This was Fulham’s first win in eleven games and their first under caretaker manager, Sanchez who came in four games ago with the task of keeping them in the top flight.
While Fulham are now safe, West Ham took another giant step towards safety. They were three goals ahead of Bolton Wanderers inside the first half hour. Carlos Tevez scored the first two and Mark Noble got the third. Gary Speed pulled a goal back for Bolton midway through the second half and this brought some nervousness into the home team’s play but they held on for three crucial points.
Controversy still surrounds West Ham over the signing of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in the summer and over the £5.5 million fine they received as their punishment. The clubs that are also involved in the fight against relegation are threatening legal action due to the leniency of West Ham’s punishment for a serious breach of rules. Uncertainty still exists as to whether Tevez is eligible to play for West Ham and the fact that his two goals inspired the team’s performance will just increase the anger.
Sheffield United and Wigan were unable to improve their plight today with defeats at Aston Villa and at home to Middlesbrough respectively.
This relegation issue and threats of legal action will continue to run although West Ham are not yet safe as a defeat for them at Old Trafford against Champions-elect, Manchester United, and a single goal Wigan win at Sheffield United would condemn the London club to the Championship. The other team in the relegation battle, Charlton Athletic, know that they must win their final two games to stay up. They play Tottenham Hotspur at The Valley on Monday evening and finish their season at Liverpool.
Next Sunday will be a very tense afternoon for those clubs involved. With the matter of the Premiership title race expected to be settled in the next few days, all eyes will be watching the events unfold at Sheffield United, Old Trafford and Anfield, if Charlton win their next game.
