By Adetola Adeniyi (Sports Editor)
Manchester United has won the English Barclays Premier League (EPL) for the 19th time after 23 wins in the 2010/2011 season with 80 points.
Manchester United defeated Blackpool 4-2 on the last day of the season. The South Korean captain gave the champions opening goal in the 21st minute before Blackpool captain Charlie Adam responded with a brilliant free-kick goal in 40th minute. Gary Taylor-Fletcher later made it two for the visitors.
Brazilian midfielder Anderson shattered the dream of Blackpool to remain in the English Premier League (EPL) next season when he equalized with a long- range shot in the 62nd minute and Blackpool defender Lan Evatt scored an own goal before Michael Owen wrapped it up with a brilliant strike in the 80th minute.
The first runner up, Chelsea FC, ended the season on a bad note by losing 1-0 to Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe’s Club Everton at Goodison Park with Jermaine Beckford scoring the only goal of the match in the 75th minute despite the red card given to Seamus Coleman in the 53rd minute.
Chelsea FC sacked their manager Carlo Ancelotti immediately after they failed to win a trophy just a year after the Italian led them to double victory last season with Premier League and FA Cup.
Other results of the final day of season saw Tottenham Hotspur defeating Birmingham City 2-1, Bolton lost at home to Manchester City with two goals to nil, while Newcastle settled three goals apiece with Peter Odemwingle’s club West Bromwich Albion. Aston Villa defeated Liverpool with a lone goal.
At the Craven Cottage, Fulham held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw, West ham United lost to Sunderland by three un-replied goals, while Stoke City was defeated at home by Wigan Athletic by a lone goal. Wolverhampton Wanderers also lost to Blackburn Rovers at home 2-3.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League with Arsenal in play off, while Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Everton, Fulham and the runner up of the FA Cup final Stoke City will represent the English Premier League teams in the 2011/2012 European League.
Birmingham City, Blackpool and West ham United will battle in the Coca- Cola Championship next season after finishing at the bottom table with 39, 39 and 33 points.
