1. Manchester United
Henrik Larsson, who scored some important goals during his spell on loan from
Helsingborg, and Ben Foster, who has been on loan to Watford, will be guests
of honour at the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley on May 19.
Played 36 Won 28 Drawn 4 Lost 4 For 83 Against 26 Points 88
2. Chelsea
Joe Cole is determined to win the FA Cup in order to ensure he ends his
nightmare season on a high note. “This season is not finished yet,” the
midfield player said. “The FA Cup is the only thing I have not won in this
country, so I am really up for it.”
Played 36 Won 24 Drawn 9 Lost 3 For 63 Against 23 Points 81
3. Liverpool
Lubos Michel, the referee who allowed Luis GarcÍa’s “phantom goal” in the
Champions League semi-final victory over Chelsea in 2005, is favourite to
take charge of this season’s final on May 23, when Liverpool take on AC
Milan in Athens.
Played 37 Won 20 Drawn 7 Lost 10 For 55 Against 25 Points 67
4. Arsenal
Arsène Wenger is confident that the club’s home form will improve next season
as the players get used to the new stadium. “At the start of the season we
allowed too much space to our opponents,” the manager said. “Now we feel at
home.”
Played 37 Won 19 Drawn 10 Lost 8 For 63 Against 35 Points 67
5. Everton
David Moyes has hailed the contribution of Joseph Yobo, who will become the
first Everton player since 1987 to play in every second of the team’s league
games in a season should he complete the full 90 minutes away to Chelsea on
Sunday.
Played 37 Won 15 Drawn 12 Lost 10 For 51 Against 35 Points 57
6. Tottenham Hotspur
The club are considering entering the Peace Cup in South Korea, a competition
they won two years ago. The preseason tournament starts on July 12. Reading
have entered and River Plate and Inter Milan could also take part.
Played 36 Won 16 Drawn 8 Lost 12 For 54 Against 52 Points 56
7. Bolton Wanderers
Jussi Jaaskelainen, the goalkeeper, has told his teammates not to blow their
chances of qualifying for the Uefa Cup at home to Aston Villa on Sunday. “We
have got to make sure we get from this season what we deserve,” he said.
Played 37 Won 16 Drawn 7 Lost 14 For 45 Against 50 Points 55
8. Reading
Peter Mate, the centre back who has missed most of the season with knee
trouble, has had his loan from Debrecen, the Hungarian club, extended by six
months. “He has an excellent mentality,” Nicky Hammond, the director of
football, said.
Played 37 Won 16 Drawn 6 Lost 15 For 49 Against 44 Points 54
9. Portsmouth
Pedro Mendes, who has been out for ten weeks after ankle surgery, could make
an unexpected return at Fratton Park on Sunday. “He might be available
against Arsenal,” Harry Redknapp, the manager, said. “We’ll wait and see.”
Played 37 Won 14 Drawn 11 Lost 12 For 45 Against 42 Points 53
10. Blackburn Rovers
Shabani Nonda, the £2million rated forward, will learn in the next fortnight
whether his loan move from AS Roma has been made permanent. Mark Hughes has
dismissed speculation that Jason Roberts might leave the club for Celtic.
Played 36 Won 15 Drawn 5 Lost 16 For 48 Against 50 Points 50
11. Aston Villa
The club are to visit North America in preseason. Toronto FC will play host to
Martin O’Neill’s team for a friendly on Wednesday, July 25. Plans are also
advanced for a prestigious friendly at Villa Park in early August.
Played 37 Won 11 Drawn 16 Lost 10 For 41 Against 39 Points 49
12. Middlesbrough
Abel Xavier has left the club after failing to agree terms on a contract
extension. “He has decided to move on,” Gareth Southgate, the manager, said.
“I am disappointed, but I’d like to thank him for his contribution.”
Played 37 Won 11 Drawn 10 Lost 16 For 41 Against 48 Points 43
13. Newcastle United
Glenn Roeder does not want “people feeling sorry for me” after his resignation
as manager. “I’m disappointed because a lot of what’s happened has been
outside my control,” he said. “But I have more good memories than bad.”
Played 37 Won 11 Drawn 9 Lost 17 For 37 Against 46 Points 42
14. Manchester City
Stephen Jordan, who has not played since a poor performance in the 3-0 home
defeat by Blackburn Rovers in January, has been offered a new contract but
is some way off an agreement. Nedum Onuoha is also in talks over a new deal.
Played 37 Won 11 Drawn 9 Lost 17 For 28 Against 42 Points 42
15. Fulham
Michael Brown, the captain, has been charged with violent conduct by the FA
after appearing to butt Xabi Alonso, the Liverpool midfield player, during
Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage. The incident was missed by Steve
Bennett, the referee.
Played 37 Won 8 Drawn 15 Lost 14 For 37 Against 57 Points 39
16. Sheffield United
Nick Montgomery is doubtful for Sunday’s match against Wigan Athletic after
visiting a specialist to receive treatment on a shoulder injury. “We don’t
know whether Monty will be available,” Neil Warnock, the manager, said.
Played 37 Won 10 Drawn 8 Lost 19 For 31 Against 53 Points 38
17. West Ham United
Tyrone Mears, the former Preston North End defender, is likely to make a
permanent move to Derby County in the summer. Mears started only three
league games, before moving to Pride Park on loan in January.
Played 37 Won 11 Drawn 5 Lost 21 For 34 Against 59 Points 38
18. Wigan Athletic
Dave Whelan, the chairman, has said that there will be a “clear-out” of
players in the summer, regardless of whether the club stays in the
Premiership or not. “Certain lads will be going, and certain new faces
coming in,” he said.
Played 37 Won 9 Drawn 8 Lost 20 For 35 Against 58 Points 35
19. Charlton Athletic
Dean Kiely, the club’s former goalkeeper, expects a restructured team to
compete for promotion next season. “I hope [Alan] Pardew brings in the right
type of players, Charlton-type players,” he said.
Played 37 Won 8 Drawn 9 Lost 20 For 32 Against 58 Points 33
20. Watford
Ben Foster has been named the club’s player of the year despite conceding 47
goals. The goalkeeper, who has been on loan from Manchester United for two
seasons, will play his last game for the club at home to Newcastle United on
Sunday.
Played 37 Won 5 Drawn 12 Lost 20 For 28 Against 58 Points 27
