Liverpool signed off the season on a winning note as Rafa Benitez’s side clinched runners-up spot in the Premier League on Sunday.

Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun found the net while Alan Hutton scored an own goal as Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3-1 to give veteran Finland defender Sami Hyypia a fitting send-off at Anfield.

Hyypia, who is joining German side Bayer Leverkusen in July, was given a rousing reception by the fans when he made an 83rd-minute appearance as a substitute before breaking down in tears after the final whistle.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane marked his return with Tottenham’s goal but it was not enough to prevent Benitez’s side, who finish four points behind champions Manchester United, from signing off with a fifth successive win.

This is the third successive season Liverpool have finished without any major silverware. But the crushing disappointment of missing out to bitter rivals Manchester United after leading the table for long spells has been cushioned by overwhelming evidence that their league form under Benitez is improving.

Not only did this result secure Liverpool’s highest finish since the 2001-02 campaign, their final tally of points is their best Premier League return. They finished the season with nine wins in the last ten games and with an unbeaten home record, the first time they have achieved that for 21 years when Liverpool were in their pomp.

Hyypia Ends Liverpool Career on Winning Note … read more »

Manchester United face Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday determined to wrap up their third consecutive Premier League title at the first attempt.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side need a draw in either of their last two fixtures, against either Arsene Wenger’s team or Hull City on May 24, to win their 18th English title and the 11th of Ferguson’s reign.

A 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening has left United on the brink of the title and the match-winner from the JJB Stadium, midfielder Michael Carrick, is confident his side will generate a party atmosphere in the Theatre of Dreams.

“Obviously it now looks good for us,” Carrick said. “I think it’s only been done once before (by United), winning the title at home, so it would be great if we can do it again.

“But we?re not getting carried away, we?ve got to respect Arsenal for how good they are. We know we?ve still got a job to do.”

The encounter could be Carlos Tevez?s last opportunity to start a home match for United as his transfer wrangling continues to dominate events at Old Trafford.

Tevez is in contention to be picked ahead of Dimitar Berbatov in United’s starting XI after a superb substitute showing against Wigan and although his loan deal at United runs out this summer, Carrick would love to see him stay at Old Trafford.

“He?s a top player and the goals he?s contributed since he?s been here have often come at big times for us,” he said.

“We obviously don?t want to lose players, we?ve got a great squad and hopefully we can keep it together.”

A win against Arsenal would also be even sweeter for United because Saturday?s opponents won the Premier League themselves at Old Trafford back in 2002 with a 1-0 victory, a result that Arsenal?s fans continually remind United of whenever the two clubs meet.

United Aim to Make Final Point at Gunners´ Expense … read more »

Arsene Wenger has vowed to wreck Manchester United’s plans for a Premier League title party at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United need just a point from their lunchtime meeting with the Gunners to wrap up a third consecutive league triumph and equal Liverpool’s record of 18 English titles.

But Wenger insists his players will be determined to delay the celebrations and claim revenge for their Champions League semi-final defeat by United, which led many to question the Frenchman’s reliance on his homegrown youngsters.

“We have a very promising team who can deliver very soon,” Wenger claimed Thursday. “If you look at the statistics of the two teams, we have scored a similar amount of goals. In the passing quality in the final third and in the opposition half, we are as good as Manchester United.

“We have conceded more goals and that is where the difference lies; we have conceded 36, they have conceded 24, we have scored 64, they have scored 67.

“Offensively, I do not believe there is a difference. Defensively, there was a difference.”

Even if they lose to Arsenal, United will still be champions if they pick up a point at struggling Hull on the final day of the season or if Liverpool drop any points in their two remaining matches, away to West Brom and at home to Tottenham.

“It looks like it will be Manchester United, but we can still delay it,” Wenger added. “We have a point to prove, definitely.

“We want to play for our pride and be respected for who we are, that is people who love the game they play. We promised ourselves on January 1 we would give everything in every game until the end of the season.

“That is where we can show we are capable to do that.”

Despite his faith in his own squad, Wenger acknowledges that United deserve to be on top. “The 18-point gap (between United and Arsenal) is a reflection we have to take on the chin,” he said. “What people forget is that we were very far behind and we dropped too many points.

“Manchester United are world champions, European champions and will be champions of England. Everybody has to cope with that, not accept it and come back next year and beat them.”

Steven Gerrard’s leadership of Liverpool’s most sustained title challenge in years has won him the Football Writers’ Association (FWA)’s player of the year award for the first time.

The Reds captain saw off challenges from Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to secure top spot in a poll of FWA members.

The 28-year-old has spent most of this season playing as a second striker, forging an exhilarating partnership with Fernando Torres. He has scored 23 goals in all competitions and become the club’s record scorer in European competition.

“We are delighted to honour Steven’s contribution this season with our prestigious award,” said FWA chairman Steve Bates.

“Steven has had a fantastic season and has so often been the driving force behind Liverpool’s forceful challenge for the Premier League title.

“Steven is viewed by the football writers who voted as the heartbeat of Liverpool’s team and a player who gives everything for the cause.”

Gerrard, who will receive his award at a dinner in London on May 29, succeeds Cristiano Ronaldo, who was honoured by the FWA in both 2007 and 2008.

The accolade means Gerrard joins a list of illustrious past winners that includes Sir Stanley Matthews, the first winner of the award in 1948, Sir Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore, George Best, Jurgen Klinsmann, Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry.

Liverpool’s talisman also joins an even more exclusive club of players to have won both the writers’ award and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA)’s player of the year award, which he collected in 2005-06.

This year’s player’s award was won by Giggs, who was recognised for his achievements over a long and exemplary career as much as his performances this season.

Guus Hiddink admits Chelsea are likely to fall short in their bid to catch Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Hiddink’s side are seven points behind United and have played a game more than the reigning champions.

The Blues can close the gap to four points with a win at Portsmouth on Tuesday, but United will reestablish the advantage if they beat Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

United’s ability to grind out narrow wins this season continued on Sunday as they won the League Cup final against Tottenham on penalties and Hiddink concedes it would be extremely surprising if they squandered such a big advantage.

“I am not naive. They have a very good squad, but as long as there is a possibility, you never know. However, realistically, it will be difficult,” Hiddink, speaking at a press conference on Monday, said.

“I like a team that does not give up. I liked the way the team reacted against Wigan after we conceded the goal, and that is just like I see the championship as well. We have to go as long as it is possible.

“We have the ambition to go and be at the top in the end of the May, so we have to stop them.

“They have always been classical clashes between two powerhouses, but let’s make a few steps first.”

Hiddink Admits ´We Will Struggle To Catch United´ … read more »