Former Reds manager Graham Souness saw his ill-disciplined Newcastle side slump to another defeat today, this time against Everton. Souness left their first-choice striker Alan Shearer on the bench and saw Ameobi sent off. The final score was 2-0 and leaves Everton six points ahead of Liverpool. The defeat for Souness sees Newcastle in 12th place in the Premiership, but has also dealt a blow to his former team’s chances of fourth place. With two games to go, Everton are practically assured now of finishing fourth, six points ahead of Liverpool with both teams having two games left to play.
Bolton meanwhile drew away with Portsmouth, with Reds exile El Hadji Diouf their scorer. This means Bolton are now level on points with Liverpool, with one game to play and six points behind Everton. With only one game left
they are now unable to catch Everton. Today’s win meant they qualified
for the UEFA Cup. Bolton can still have a say in the Champions League
places though – they play Everton on the last day of the season.
Liverpool’s only hope of fourth place now is to win both their games, and for Everton to lose both theirs. This would put Liverpool and Everton level on points, but Liverpool’s goal difference would put them ahead.
The team with the most say in the final Champions League place though is Arsenal. If they get a point against Liverpool tomorrow they end Liverpool’s hopes. If the race isn’t ended tomorrow, they then play Everton on Wednesday – if they allow Everton to take at least a point then the race is over. Arsenal themselves will be looking to pick up points so they can finish second, in turn avoiding the qualifying rounds of the Champions League next season – three points would probably be enough for this, as Manchester United drew tonight.
Remaining Games:
08 May
Arsenal v Liverpool
11 May
Arsenal v Everton
15 May
Bolton v Everton, Liverpool v Aston Villa