Can the Hammers upset the applecart on last day of season?
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Can the Hammers upset the applecart on last day of season?

Only West Ham stand in the way of Manchester City picking up a record fourth consecutive Premier League title tomorrow although it would be fair to say not too many football fans can see the Hammers upsetting City at the Etihad Stadium.

Still, you never know. Football is a funny old game and you cannot rule anything out. If West Ham could hold City to a draw, a home victory by Arsenal over Everton would be enough for the Gunners to win the title owing to their slightly better goal difference.

For David Moyes, in his final game as West Ham gaffer, to get a result against City would be a wonderful send-off.

However it's hard to imagine West Ham's leaky defence holding up against City's formidable strike force led by Norwegian ace Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

In the 32 seasons of the Premier League the title has been decided on the final day just nine times, so we can thank Arsenal for pushing City all the way. Liverpool too were in the race until last week and Juergen Klopp can say farewell to fans at Anfield with his head held high.

The key game during the week was City's visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night. There had been rumours that Spurs would be a soft touch as they didn't want to be the team that hands the title to bitter rivals Arsenal. But this was not in evidence on the pitch where Spurs put up spirited resistance to Pep Guardiola's side.

Indeed had Son Heung-Min put away a great chance five minutes from time the outcome could have been very different. However the South Korean was thwarted by brilliant substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega who performed so well in his 20 minutes on the pitch he was named Man of the Match.

As it is, the amazing Haaland picked up two goals, the second a penalty. The first strike was the significant one even though it was a tap-in. As commentator Andy Townsend noted "It was the simplest of goals but could not have been more important."

The Tottenham crowd too were generally supportive of their team although when City took the lead in the second half the chant "Are You Watching Arsenal?" could be heard.

Spurs' normally placid boss Ange Postecoglue was clearly unhappy at the end of the match. "I've got to go back to the drawing board," he admitted.

Spurs' defeat was good news for Aston Villa who have clinched fourth place opening the way for their first campaign in the Champions League. It is a personal triumph for Villa manager Unai Emery who had joined the club two seasons ago when they were struggling.

Down at the bottom, the relegation battle lacked the usual excitement as Sheffield United and Burnley had looked doomed for some time and barring extraordinary scorelines tomorrow, Luton Town will almost certainly join them.

The struggles of the three newly promoted teams have prompted pundits to suggest there is a growing gap in quality between the Championship and the Premier League. However, it would be only the second time the three promoted teams have been immediately relegated, the previous occasion being the 1997-8 season. In fact last season all three newly promoted clubs (Fulham, Forest and Bournemouth) avoided the drop.

It will be interesting to see how Leicester City, Ipswich Town and whoever wins the play-offs will adapt to life in the top flight next season.

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