Avram Grant, a double for Manchester and my play-off predictions

Manchester City won the FA Cup thanks to a goal from Yaya Toure

West Ham are relegated and sack Avram Grant

West Ham sacked Avram Grant at Wigan shortly after they were relegated. The Hammers lost 3-2 at fellow strugglers Wigan after leading 2-0. Vice-chairman Karren Brady who rarely goes to away matches was present as were co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold. It was pretty obvious what was going to happen once West Ham had lost and were relegated. Grant should never have been appointed. This is not hindsight. I and many others thought so at the time. He has never seemed assertive and had taken Portsmouth down before joining West Ham. At any rate West Ham should have made a change much earlier when it was obvious it was not working.

The question now with one match left is which two from five will also be relegated to the Championship. Only one point seperates Blackburn and Wolves from Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan. Blackburn, who play at Wolves on Sunday – all games kick-off Sunday at 4pm – have the best goal difference. Wigan play at Stoke who will be tired in their third game in eight days. Blackpool play at Old Trafford against the Champions Manchester United. Birmingham face a tough game at Spurs, who having won at Liverpool, now want to finish fifth. It is, as Sky Sports are already calling it, Survival Sunday!

Manchester United win record 19th league title

Manchester United regained the Premier League with a record 19th League title… and it’s Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs’ 12th. They were the best team this season even if they did not always play to their best, which they certainly didn’t at struggling Blackburn at the weekend. United got the point they needed through a penalty by Wayne Rooney. United have so many good players and key players who have turned up for the big games at different times this season. It’s this all-round team skill and the manager’s wonderful ability that keeps them on or near the top. Now for the challenge of the Champions League final at Wembley against the Spanish champions Barcelona on May 28. Will United stop Lionel Messi and his team-mates? Rest assured United will prepare for Messi and give their very best in a classic match up.

Manchester City deserve FA Cup final win

Moneybags Manchester City deserved their 1-0 win over plucky Stoke in the FA Cup final at Wembley. They were the better side even if they only scored the one goal in the 74th minute by Yaya Toure. Stoke’s gamble to play the recovering-from-injury Matthew Ethrington did not come off. This was City’s first major trophy for 35 years and the way their billionaire Arab owner is spending, more can be expected to follow fairly soon!

Rangers win Scottish Premiership for third successive time

Well done Walter Smith as Rangers win 5-1 at Kilmarnock to pip Celtic to the SPL by a point. The manager hands over the reigns to his assistant Ally McCoist after clinching the title for the third successive season. Smith has had two spells with Rangers as manager and has won these trophies: 9 Scottish league titles, 5 Scottish FA Cups, 6 Scottish League Cups, and was SPL manager of the Season twice and voted by the Scottish Football Writers as their Manager of the Year seven times! Some record for an outstanding manager!

Kenny Dalglish deserves new contract

Kenny Dalglish has done a super job with Liverpool since replacing Roy Hodgson. Now he has been given the manager’s job officially with a three-year-contract. Well deserved. Great signings with Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. Liverpool will continue to climb.

Nervy time in the play-offs

The play-offs are underway and its a tense time with much at stake – particularly in the Championship. The semi-final first legs have been played. I fancy Swansea v Reading in the Championship final; Huddersfield v Peterborough in League One’s final and Torquay v Stevenage in League Two.

For more from Gary, go to www.garynewbon.com

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