May 1st and 2nd - Man City's hopes of being crowned champions were put on hold. The champions elect did their part by winning two-nil at Crystal Palace. Sergio Aguero and Phil Foden scored the goals in the space of two minutes in the second half. They needed a Liverpool victory at Man United on Sunday to be confirmed champions. However, in yet another bizarre interlude in a season of twists, the game never took place. A protest against the Glazer family saw a section of the great unwashed gain access to the stadium and pitch. In these days of Covid protocols, that was the end of any hope of the game taking place. Millionaire Gary Neville, the self-proclaimed saviour of football, was left ranting on the telly box as Super Sunday ended in farce.

On the pitch, Everton slipped to another defeat - Aston Villa came to Goodison Park and recorded a two-one victory thanks goals from Ollie Watkins and Anwar El-Ghazi. Chelsea consolidated their hold on a top four spot with a two-nil win at home to Fulham - Kai Havertz scored both goals. Gareth Bale had the final say on the weekend's games - he scored a hat-trick in a four-nil win for Spurs at home to Sheffield United. Elsewhere, Arsenal won two-nil at Newcastle while Brighton won by the same scoreline at home to Leeds.

The early leaderboard for May sees the lead shared by Kevin Philpott and Phil Doyle. They have 37 points and are three clear of Philip Jordan in third place. Further back on 32 points we have Bobby Hynes, Frank McSweeney, Paul Prendergast and Gary McGurk:

 

May 8th and 9th - A win for Man City at home to Chelsea would have seen them crowned champions. However, their dress rehearsal for the Champions League Final ended in victory for the London side. City were ahead through Raheem Sterling but they missed a chance to go two up when Sergio Aguero's penalty was more pancake than Panenka. Thomas Tuchel's side came back in the second half - Ziyech equalising and Marcos Alonso scoring an injury time winner to put the title party on hold for another few days at least.

A defeat for Man United was another way City could have been confirmed champs but they cantered to a three-one victory at Aston Villa with goals from Fernandes (pen), Greenwood and Cavani. The gap remains at ten points - United have four games to play so there's still a slight glimmer of hope for the Stretford faithful.

Leicester's surprise defeat at home to Newcastle opened up the race for the top four. Their final three games are away to Man United and Chelsea and at home to Tottenham. Liverpool were the only ones of the chasing pack to take advantage with a two-nil win at home to Southampton (the first time they scored two goals at Anfield since December...). West Ham slipped to a one-nil defeat at home to Everton while Tottenham lost three-one at Leeds to dent both their hopes.

Elsewhere this weekend, Brighton still aren't safe after Wolves scored an injury time winner at Molineux. Crystal Palace's faint risk of relegation was erased by a two-nil win at relegated Sheffield United. Finally, on a happy note, West Brom's relegation was confirmed on Sunday night after three-one defeat at Arsenal. If Fulham lose to Burnley on Monday night then the three relegation places will be confirmed with the Cottagers joining the Baggies back in the Championship next season.

Phil Doyle and Kevin Philpott have swapped places at the top of the monthly leaderboard with Phil now on 97 points and Kevin on 84. David Lavelle has climbed to third place with strong weekly performances from Liam Keohan and Anastas Popov crashing into the top five like Sam Allardyce at a buffet. Full details below:

 

May 10th to 16th - Well it's certainly been a dramatic week since the last update. Man City were crowned champions following Man United's defeat at home to Leicester on Tuesday night. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made ten changes to give some of his players a rest after a hectic schedule but it ultimately cost them the three points and confirmed City's place as champions for the third time in fourth seasons. They celebrated their title victory with a win at Newcastle on Friday night. An end to end game finished with City winning four-three courtesy of a Ferran Torres hat trick.

Man United suffered a second defeat in three days when the rearranged game against Liverpool took place on Thursday night. United were ahead early on through Bruno Fernandes but the Merseysiders took control with goals from Jota and Firmino (2). Marcus Rashford pulled one back through but Mo Salah scored a breakway fourth in injury time to seal a huge three points for Jurgen Klopp's side. And if you thought Old Trafford saw a dramatic finish, then fast forward to the Hawthorns on Sunday evening. Liverpool's champions league qualification hopes looked as good as ever with the game at West Brom tied at one-all. However, Alisson was thrown forward for one last corner and rose like a salmon to head home a dramatic winner. For a guy who's been through so much this season off the pitch, it was a lovely moment. My blood pressure, not so much....

The top four race will now go to the final day of the season. Chelsea's defeat at home to Arsenal midweek means they could miss out. They host Leicester on Tuesday night in a vital game after they lost the FA Cup Final to the same team on Saturday evening. West Ham and Spurs look to have too much to do to finish in the top four. However, both sides are looking good for a European spot. West Ham needed a late equaliser to earn a point at Brighton on Saturday night. Goals from Kane and Hojberg saw Spurs pick up three point at home to Wolves on Sunday. They're ahead of their London rivals on goal difference with just two games to play.

At the bottom, Fulham's relegation was confirmed with defeat at home to Burnley on Monday night. They join Sheffield United and West Brom in the Championship next season.

Elsewhere this weekend, Leeds scored four without reply at Burnley. Southampton picked up three points with a three-one win at home to Fulham while Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa by the odd goal in five at Selhurst Park. Sheffield United, despite being relegated, picked up three points with a one-nil win at Everton. That means the Toffees cannot finish above their city rivals Liverpool. How do you like them apples?

Phil Doyle leads the May competition with two rounds of games to go. He has a ten point lead over his two nearest challengers - Con McSweeney and Eoghan Farrelly. The top five for the month is completed by Frank McSweeney and David Lavelle - full details below:

 



May 23rd - All the drama on the last day centred around the top four and the final Champions League spots. Leicester City, for the second season in succession, lost out on a top four finish on the final day. A four-two defeat at home to Tottenham condemned them to fifth place and a place in next season's Europa League. Harry Kane's goal in that game was enough to earn him the Golden Boot ahead of a summer move to Dundalk.

Liverpool finished the season in third place. 10,000 people were in Anfield to see the Reds see off Crystal Palace two-nil courtesy of two goals from Sadio Mane. Written off by many in March, myself included I must admit, Jurgen Klopp's side finished with eight wins and two draws in their last ten games to ensure they'll be taking part in the Champions League next season. Chelsea finished in fourth place despite a two-one defeat at Aston Villa - their win earlier in the week at home to Leicester ensured they stumbled over the line in fourth place.

Sergio Aguero came off the bench and, naturally, scored twice in Man City's five-nil win over Everton. It was a fitting farewell for the Argentinian striker who will always be remembered for his winning goal in 2012 that had Gary Neville reaching for the prozac. For that we'll always be grateful. Man United rounded off their season in second place with a two-one win at Wolves. Nuno Espirito Santos took charge of Wolves for the last time in that match ahead of a summer move to Dundalk.

Elsewhere on the final day, West Ham finished in the top six with a three-nil win at home to Southampton. Arsenal's two-nil win at home to Brighton looked like earning them a place in the new UEFA Conference League until Spurs scored twice late on at Leicester. Leeds United's first season back in the Premier League saw them finish ninth after a three-one win at home to relegated West Brom. Sheffield United's two year stay in the top division came to an end with a one-nil win over Burnley. Newcastle rounded off their season with a two-nil win at Fulham.

Phil Doyle held on to become our final monthly winner of the season. His score of 220 points was 18 clear of Frank McSweeney in second place. The top five for May was completed by Kevin Philpott, Anastas Popov and Eoghan Farrelly:

 

Premier League 2020-2021 - May Leaderboard
No.
 Lst Chg
Name
Team Name
Pts
Lst
Chg
Support the Site:
1
1
0
Phil Doyle
FC Muertos Errantes
220
136
84






2
4
2
Frank McSweeney
Poolabu
202
121
81
3
6
3
Kevin Philpott
Phillys Phylers
200
116
84
4
7
3
Anastas Popov
Strong Saints
196
115
81
5
3
-2
Eoghan Farrelly
Last Chance Saloon
196
126
70
6
5
-1
David Lavelle
Gers Abu
194
120
74
7
8
1
Philip Jordan
Frankie's Army
194
112
82
8
2
-6
Con McSweeney
Dowtcha_Boys
188
126
62
9
29
20
Jonathan Fox
Kilppety Klopp All The Way To The Top
188
95
93
10
11
1
Cathal Thornton
Horse's Heroes
187
106
81
11
12
1
Eamon Fox
Goals Very Important In Life
187
106
81
12
10
-2
Brendan Maguire
Cantthinkofone
186
108
78
13
27
14
Brian Haughton
Klopp's Achievers
186
95
91
14
28
14
Caroline Carroll
Prince
183
95
88
15
9
-6
Andy Dunne
Peter Crouch Rangers
181
111
70
16
15
-1
Paul Prendergast
The Untouchables
181
105
76
17
13
-4
Liam Keohan
Invincibles
180
106
74
18
24
6
Alan White
Al White XI
178
98
80
19
30
11
Joseph Kavanagh
Joey's Invincibles
176
95
81
20
19
-1
Gerry Draper
Everton10
174
101
73
21
18
-3
Gary McGurk
This Is Our Year
172
101
71
22
45
23
Gavin Morgan
Bristol Fashion
172
83
89
23
26
3
Trevor Byrne
Noddy's 11
171
98
73
24
23
-1
David Cooney
Frank's Silvalinings
169
99
70
25
22
-3
Wayne Donovan
Sixth Senseless
169
100
69
26
39
13
Craig Calvert
Proper FC
167
88
79
27
44
17
David McGinley
Reservoir Dubs
167
83
84
28
17
-11
Gareth Pierpoint
Alisson Wonderland
167
103
64
29
49
20
Robert Manley
Alisson Wonderland
167
83
84
30
21
-9
Bobby Hynes
Born To Run
166
100
66
31
46
15
Kev Dalton
Show Me De Mane
166
83
83
32
14
-18
Robert Hynes
Charlton
164
106
58
33
53
20
Lionel Knott
Red Abbey Reds
163
80
83
34
42
8
Sean O'Mairtin
Creweless
162
84
78
35
50
15
Joe Behan
MT-09
161
81
80
36
48
12
Niall Carroll
19
161
83
78
37
32
-5
Gavin Goodwin
Gorey United
160
94
66
38
38
0
Victoria Reid
Tristan's Titans
159
90
69
39
37
-2
Davy Doyle
FC Twente Benson
157
91
66
40
16
-24
Micheal Joyce
Pure Whites
157
104
53
41
51
10
Christina Morgan
Return of the Red Dwarf
156
80
76
42
52
10
Joe Turner
#blocklivesmatter
156
80
76
43
36
-7
Roisin Joyce
Roisin Joyce
156
93
63
44
56
12
Derek Brady
Liverpool
153
68
85
45
31
-14
Paul Moore
Bobby Dazzler
151
95
56
46
43
-3
Darragh Kenny
The Sporting Wing
147
83
64
47
55
8
Fiachra O'Brolachain
Tallacticos
147
78
69
48
57
9
Graham Goodwin
2021 Pls
146
66
80
49
25
-24
John Brophy
Carrig United
145
98
47
50
33
-17
Aidan White
Saved By A Goalline Technology Failure
142
93
49
51
40
-11
Gerry Moore
Mikel's Maestros
141
88
53
52
47
-5
Liam Geraghty
Is There Any Hope?
141
83
58
53
59
6
Brian Prendergast
Mista Dobalina
139
60
79
54
35
-19
Ciaran Nelson
Nelson Utd
139
93
46
55
20
-35
Javier Suarez
Hendo's Boys
136
101
35
56
34
-22
Brian Mullen
Mothers Milk
131
93
38
57
54
-3
Aidan Scanlon
Kilflynn Santos
130
79
51
58
63
5
Niall Murray
Book Ake
125
56
69
59
64
5
Gerard McCluskey
Breffni Blues
121
48
73
60
60
0
George McGettigan
Right Up The Jimmy
110
59
51
61
58
-3
Ciaran O'Hart
Riverchapel Plate
109
64
45
62
62
0
Richard Johnston
The Corporation Lads FC
103
58
45
63
66
3
Kris Stainton
Da Love Be Beek
97
36
61
64
41
-23
Gary Fitzpatrick
Timo Werner Is A Hurensohn
91
85
6
65
61
-4
Dean White
Armchair 11
68
58
10
66
65
-1
Ralph Goodwin
Sky Blue Champions
56
48
8
67
67
0
Callum Dunne
The Keita Success
20
12
8
68
68
0
Gary Donnelly
Audrey's + 1
20
10
10
69
73
4
Michael Kenaney
Expected Toulouse
18
8
10
70
71
1
Drew Armstrong
Army's All Stars
14
8
6
71
72
1
John O'Driscoll
The Botchments
14
8
6
72
69
-3
Niall Cannon
TAA Very Much
14
10
4
73
74
1
Patrick Mifsud
Red & Black Brigade
14
6
8
74
70
-4
Calvin McGettigan
Average Joe 1.0
10
8
2
75
75
0
Ben Creasey
#1
6
4
2