Happy days ... Grant Holt celebrates Norwich City's impressive win. Source: Chris Radburn / AAP
Norwich City and Newcastle United spared their fans final-day relegation agony with impressive wins that moved them clear of the Barclays Premier League drop zone.
Stoke City are also out of danger despite a 2-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur but it's a different story for Sunderland, who drew at home to Southampton, Fulham, who lost at home to Liverpool, and Southampton and sets up an intriguing final round of matches next Monday morning (EST) if FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic can beat Arsenal in their make-up game on Tuesday morning (EST).
At Loftus Road, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew breathed a sigh of relief after his side finally ensured safety with a 2-1 victory over QPR.
The Magpies fell behind to a debatable 11th-minute Loic Remy penalty but replied through Hatem Ben Arfa's spot-kick and Yoan Gouffran's strike after a defensive mix-up by Rangers.
"I'm very pleased. It was a very important game for this football club. Particularly this year with the extra finance of staying in the Premier League," Pardew said.
"I thought the first 10 minutes we were almost playing with a noose around our neck we were so tense and tight and it took a decision by the referee.
"I don't really care if Arsenal win 4-0 [next weekend], If I'm honest, I'm sure Spurs will - but I only care that our fans enjoy themselves."
Pardew once again hit out at suggestions over the last month that his squad had been divided within the dressing room and was pleased with the spirit shown by his players against QPR.
"The accusations have been so ridiculous," he said.
"You don't get a draw at West Brom and West Ham and a win here today if you've got rifts going on.
"Their penalty looked a bit dubious to me and I thought ours looked dubious but once that went in I thought we settled down on a difficult pitch and played quite well.
"But we showed a real determination and resilience today to get the job done, for not just this club but for the north east.
"It's massive for north-east football that we are a Premier League club so I'm absolutely delighted for our fans and players."
At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland and Southampton played a 1-1 draw that failed to really benefit either side as they battle the drop.
Still, Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino was pleased with the performance and result.
Pochettino, who replaced the controversially dismissed Nigel Adkins in January, has won plaudits for the manner in which his side have played, but his points-per-game ratio is similar to his predecessor.
Although loath to be engaged in a discussion about who he replaced at the Southampton helm, Pochettino was relieved to win the point.
Asked if he had justified his appointment, he said: "I'm not sure.
"I've been hearing the same question for four months now. It's not for me to answer that question.
"Yes, we are happy. The players have put in an amazing performance in the four months that I have been here.
"That's what I can do. I can't speak about previous to when I arrived."
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio declared himself content with point as well but it potentially sets up a nervy final game against Tottenham next weekend.
At Carrow Road, Norwich City manager Chris Hughton could not hide his delight after his side beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0.
The Canaries went into the game knowing that a win would be enough and Hughton was more than pleased to get the job done.
"I am absolutely delighted. Over the season we deserved it even though it has been tough the last few weeks," Hughton said.
"Looking at the Wigan result yesterday their tails will likely be up but today was our day."
Norwich took the lead in the first half but it was Grant Holt's goal after the break that was the decisive strike according to Hughton.
"There were a few added pressures on us today but as soon as we scored the second I thought we would be okay," Hughton said.
"It means everything to the club and now we can build on the future. I had a tough act to follow but we want to be like West Brom now and establish ourselves in this tough Premier League."
At the Britannia Stadium, Stoke City boss Tony Pulis blamed Charlie Adam's sending off for his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham.
Spurs spoiled Stoke's 150th anniversary celebrations as they came from behind to take all three points at the Britannia Stadium but the defeat was still good enough to keep the Potters in the top flight.
Adam was sent off in the second half for two bookable offences with Pulis contesting both bookings for the Scotland international, insisting his departure had ruined the game as a spectacle.
"I don't think Charlie has touched (Jan) Vertonghen on the first one and on the second one he's made a mistake by sliding in but again I don't think he touches him," said Pulis.
"It's disappointing because I watch football day in, day out and you see some challenges that don't even get bookings, then you see two challenges like that one today getting a sending-off.
"What disappoints me is there was a full house here for a great day to watch a really good game of football and it has just been taken away from them. The game was then not a game."
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét