The unstoppable Erling Haaland again tops the Premier League scoring charts, while the legendary Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager to occupy a dugout. Gary Lemke highlights a few talking points ahead of the weekend’s football.
HAALAND TOP OF THE SCORING LOG (AGAIN)
Erling Haaland will win the EPL’s Golden Boots for the second successive season, but he’ll fall short of his debut campaign with Man City. He’s on 27 goals going into the final match, having netted 37 times in 2022/23. The next three names on the list, ahead of Sunday’s games, were less predictable from the start of the season. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has netted 22 times, Alexander Isak (Newcastle) 20 times, Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) and Ollie Watkins (Villa) both on 19. Liverpool’s Mo Salah is alone in sixth place with 18 goals.
RAYA KEEPS THE MOST CLEAN SHEETS
While we’re on goals at one end, let’s look at those at the other., Again, when one looks at the table, it’s no major announcement that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has kept the most clean sheets (16). However, like with the Golden Boot, the next couple of names might surprise you. Everton’s Jordan Pickford has had 13 clean sheets and both Bernd Leno (Fulham) and Man City’s Ederson have 10.
⭐️ David Raya ⭐️#UCL pic.twitter.com/Bg22K0snSo
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 14, 2024
CHAMPIONS, UPS AND DOWNS
In terms of who will win the English Premier League, the permutations are simple: If Man City beat West Ham they will take the title. If they lose and Arsenal beat Everton, Arsenal will be champions. If Man City draw and Arsenal win, Arsenal are champions. If bth draw, City are champions. At the other end, don’t worry about the mathematically possible. Sheffield United, Burney and Luton are relegated. Coming up are Leicester and Ipswich and one of Leeds, Southampton and West Brom
SOLVING THE EPL TROPHY RIDDLE
I’m going to stay with the EPL for a moment. Will the trophy be in Manchester or London, or mid-air, to be handed to the champions at the end of Sunday’s games? The answer is that there are two identical trophies, one each at the Etihad and Emirates stadiums. There will also be 40 winners’ medals at each ground, and an engraver at each ground, who will carve the title winner’s names after the presentations. There is also an identical celebration platform and fireworks display in both stadiums awaiting the champions.
WHY SIR ALEX IS FOOTBALL’S GOAT
Let’s hand the popular vote to Aston Villa. They will finish fourth on the log and play in the Champions League next season. Ollie Watkins has been inspirational, scoring 19 goals and making 13 assists. Who would have thought it would end like this after losing their opener 5-1 to Newcastle? Sir Alex Ferguson, that who. Interviewed before Man United’s first game, he was asked who impressed him most that weekend.
“Honestly, Aston Villa played fantastic football and just lost to bad goals. Newcastle are going to be very difficult to beat, on their own ground in particular. It’s a surprising game, football. You can play teams off the pitch and not score – that’s what Aston Villa did.”
This has to go down as one of the best calls ever? Alex Ferguson saying Aston Villa were the team to take out of the opening weekend after they lost 5-1 to Newcastle. 4th place and Champions League secured tonight. Some job from Unai Emery.
— Daniel Hussey (@DanielHussey2) May 14, 2024
pic.twitter.com/YiA3uIKWW6
VAR SYSTEM GOES TO THE VOTE
Wolves have become the voice of football lovers everywhere. They have called on a vote among English Premier League clubs on scrapping VAR. That vote will be conducted on 6th June, but the likelihood is that not enough top-flight have their back to carry the motion. However, it will further ignite a debate that rages on.
There have been some VAR howlers this past season, while many say the soul has been sucked out of the game and actual goal celebrations can take minutes before becoming official. Plus, each match now seems to last two hours from start to finish. We’ve had five seasons of VAR in the EPL. Despite Wolves’ formal objection, expect it to be six after the meeting. As an aside, VAR has been rejected in Sweden.
