Manchester City hosted QPR in the final Premier League match of the season with extreme title implications.  A win was enough to guarantee first place in the league, but a loss or a draw would have paved the way open for their cross-town rivals, Manchester United to snatch the trophy.

Manchester City hosting Queens Park Rangers shouldn’t have been much of a match in today’s EPL, but the London side dug their heels in deep and gave City a run for their money, knowing relegation was a possibility at the day’s start.  Although QPR’s dangerous midfielder, Joe Barton, got himself sent off early in the second half, QPR had managed to take a 2-1 lead that they held until the 90^th minute.

As scenes of misery unfolded at the Etihad stadium, Manchester United fans were already starting to celebrate.  Scores of City fans exited the match early, and one fan was even shown violently flailing his arms about in desperation up in the stands.  Roberto Mancini brought on every striker he had, including Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, who was given fifteen minutes to right all the wrongs he had created this season.

And it worked.  Dzeko headed in a cross.  Then Balotelli, while falling on his back in the penalty box, was able to muster a pass to Sergio Aguero, who blasted in the shot that sent the stadium into an uproar in the final moments of the match.  In what was one of the most dramatic finishes ever witnessed in British soccer, Manchester City was able to win and hoist the trophy which has eluded them for over 40 years.

It was a well deserved trophy, considering the cost of City’s players.  In the last few seasons, seemingly every big transfer name is linked to Manchester City, and scores of great players have arrived.  Beyond the impressive strikers, great players like Samir Nasri, David Silva, Yaya Toure, and Gareth Barry have all done their part to ensure that the Blue side of Manchester wins some trophies.

For the club, this should mark the start of a period of sustained success.  Similar to the rise of Chelsea ten years ago, Manchester City looks poised for greatness.  Their sites will now be set upon the UEFA Champions League where they will have to prove themselves against the monsters of Europe such as Barcelona and Real Madrid.  Their pocket-books are always open, and new faces like Lille’s Eden Hazard and Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie could make their way to the club in the summer.  With such a competitive side that is always looking to improve, Manchester City could well be on their way to becoming the world’s best club in five years time.

With the impending Champions League final where Chelsea could swoop in for next year’s  qualification by beating Bayern Munich, the teams fighting for spots in the Baclay’s Premier League know that only a third place finish will guarantee an appearance in the Champions League next season.  The teams in question are Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle.  The three clubs are separated by a mere two points and any one of them could claim as high as third or as low as fifth.

Therefore, with so much to play for in the last two weeks of the season, one would have been safe to assume that they would have played out some vital wins for their clubs, but each side stumbled this past weekend.  It began with Arsenal, who battled back to a 3-2 lead against Norwich City with ten minutes remaining through two brilliant Robin Van Persie goals only to be denied when Steve Morison brought the teams level.  The game finished as a draw and a stunned Emirates stadium felt a tremor of terror as their rivals, Spurs, were now in the driving seat to claim third position.

However, Tottenham had troubles of their own.  Already down 1-0 to Aston Villa in the first half, Tottenham sputtered further when Danny Rose was sent off for a silly challenge on Alan Hutton.  The team continued to press and managed to get a penalty which Emmanuel Adebayor converted to give them a draw.  This was a far cry from being the moment that Tottenham would finally finish higher than Arsenal for the first time in 17 years.  Once again, when they were gifted that opportunity they blinked.

Newcastle similarly were looking to overtake third place but had a much sterner test playing against league leaders, Manchester City.  Although the Magpie’s season has been splendid, beating City was always going to be a massive challenge.  The team lasted in a 0-0 deadlock until the 70^th minute when Yaya Toure took the lead, and he eventually scored again late on to give the Blues a 2-0 victory.

The blank shots were reflective of unspectacular seasons for each team as they have looked grand at times only to revert back to stupidity and mediocrity.  The final fixtures of the season show Arsenal visiting West Bromwich, Tottenham hosting Fulham, and Newcastle visiting Everton.  Tottenham will have a slight advantage with the home game, but Arsenal will still be favored over West Bromwich.  Newcastle will have the hardest test again facing the 7^th ranked team.

With everything to play for still, these matches should be fascinating.  Arsenal has their one point lead, but all it means is they alone have destiny in their own hands.  Arsene Wenger will be relieved for that blessing and should inspire the team to a victory.  They haven’t won in their last four games so the Gunners will need to turn fate back in their favor.

I predict that both Arsenal and Newcastle will win, leaving Arsenal in third, Newcastle in fourth, and Tottenham in fifth.  Fulham is a strong side and Clint Dempsey is a force.  I see them beating Spurs on their turf.  Tottenham usually slips on the massive occasion, and I predict it will happen again this weekend.  Newcastle has played very well and new striker, Papisse Cisse, is an unstoppable force, so I see them perhaps getting to taste the wonders of the Champions League with a victory.  Arsenal has experience on their side, and should manage to get the points on the road when they absolutely have to.