Why Di Matteo is the only man for Cardiff job

Roberto Di Matteo led West Brom to promotion to the Premier League in his only full season in charge

Looking at the list of potential candidates to take over from Dave Jones as manager of Cardiff City, one man springs out as the perfect choice.

Roberto Di Matteo did very little wrong at West Brom before being harshly sacked earlier this year and seems to tick all the boxes Cardiff should be looking at.

Dave Jones did a terrific job with the Bluebirds but it was clear he had reached the end of the road.

Two play-off defeats in two years left the club needing new blood as the agony of those losses would have been hard to recover from.

With a new man at the helm with new ideas, that should reinvigorate the whole club and set them on the road to another promotion push.

After six years under Jones, Cardiff need a younger, more progressive manager to install new energy. Ideally, this man should also have a promotion to the Premier League on his managerial CV and play attractive football to re-attract fans disillusioned at recent near-misses.

That is why Di Matteo should be the only man Cardiff need to look at.

He led West Brom to promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt with free-flowing, attacking football and they then had a successful start to life in the top tier.

Things did get more difficult as his first Premier League campaign as a manager progressed but he left them in 16th place and in with a great chance of staying up.

The side he built subsequently survived comfortably under Roy Hodgson so Di Matteo has nothing to reproach himself about with regards to the job he did at the Hawthorns.

Cardiff would be the perfect route back into football for him and his assistant Eddie Newton as they have a similar potential to West Brom and seem like a Premier League club in waiting.

Eddie Newton was Di Matteo's assistant at MK Dons and West Brom

Newton even had a short spell at Cardiff as a player so already has some idea as to the expectations surrounding the club.

Di Matteo would jump at the chance to take over the Bluebirds so the board should act quickly to secure one of the brightest young managers around.

One thing is for sure, he won't be unemployed for long.

If Cardiff don't take him, one of their Championship rivals will as his ability as a manager is clear for all to see.

His calm style is just what the Bluebirds need right now to help them recover from their play-off agony and push on again, as employing a manager similar to Jones would only set the club back.

Jones did a fine job there but the mental scars from promotion near-misses will not heal unless a completely different man with new ideas comes in.

Di Matteo and Newton also led Milton Keynes Dons to the League One play-offs in their only season there so their job at West Brom cannot be described as a one-off.

They are ambitious, young and just the breath of fresh air that is needed at Cardiff after their play-off loss and rivals Swansea's promotion.

Other candidates include Chris Hughton, Billy Davies, Martin O'Neill and Craig Bellamy, but Di Matteo still appears the outstanding choice.

Chris Hughton was harshly sacked by Newcastle in December

Hughton did well to get Newcastle promoted under difficult circumstances and could be a decent choice to manage Cardiff, but his appointment is not likely to get pulses racing in the same way Di Matteo's would.

Davies has one promotion to the Premier League on his CV but Cardiff would have to shell out major compensation for him and he appears to have unfinished business at Nottingham Forest.

O'Neill would be a popular choice among fans but he is probably waiting for a Premier League job and is likely to demand a large transfer budget if he was to take over a Championship club.

As for Bellamy, he has no coaching qualifications so to even link him with this job is ludicrous.

Di Matteo is the most realistic choice and his installment as manager would give Cardiff the best possible chance of promotion.

Cardiff's board should appoint him now before someone else does.

How do you stop this Barcelona team?

This Barcelona side is surely the best team of their generation

Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United

Mesmerizing, spellbinding, magic. There really aren't enough words to describe how good this Barcelona side are at the moment.

They ripped a very good Manchester United side to shreds at Wembley in the Champions League final with a style of play no other side in the world can play. Well, they can try, but they won't be able to do it.

Their side is filled with so much talent, so much joy and so much stardust. There really is nothing anybody can do to stop them right now.

In Lionel Messi, they have one of the greatest players to have played the game.

He isn't even 24 yet, but he destroyed Man Utd with his brilliant play, constantly haranguing opponents with his beautiful elegance, finishing it off with a glorious goal.

Messi celebrates with Javier Mascherano after his stunning display

The little magician's exceptional performances do not make Barca a one-man team though. Far from it.

In Xavi and Andres Iniesta, they have a midfield double-act so good it would be an insult to try and compare them to any other midfielders. They, like their team, are a class apart.

As United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said after Barcelona passed his side to death in the 2009 final, playing against Xavi and Iniesta is like stepping on a carousel, making opponents so dizzy they can't wait for the final whistle to put them out of their misery.

Andres Iniesta and Xavi are ranked as the second and third best players in the world, behind only team-mate Messi

Their unerring passing accuracy makes it almost impossible to get hold of the ball, impossible to get any grip on the game.

Here against United, they held two-thirds of the possession. This should be a surprise. No team should dominate like this in a European Cup final. But this is Barcelona. This is mesmeric Barcelona. This is one of the greatest teams ever.

There is just no way to get the ball for sustained periods against them. Pass, move. Pass, move. Pass, move. They display everything that is good about the beautiful game and more.

This Barcelona team cannot be compared to any other football team on the planet. The only sporting comparison you could make is to the Harlem Globetrotters.

In the semi-final against Real Madrid, they proved they weren't perfect with a number of pathetic incidents.

But at Wembley against United, they put right the wrongs of that dark night at the Bernabeu to reaffirm their status as the best team in the world. In truth, they are streets ahead of every other team.

Manchester United and Real Madrid are probably the second and third best teams on the planet, but they almost look like pub teams when standing against this Barcelona side.

We are privileged this dream team is here in our generation. They are as close to perfect as a football team can get.

In the early exchanges at Wembley, it looked positive for United.

They pressurised Barcelona's defence, with Javier Mascherano looking shaky at centre-half early on, but once Barcelona got into their stride that was that.

Pedro opened the scoring on 27 minutes after a period of real domination, with some masterful play from Xavi, concluded with a perfect pass, splitting the United defence and leaving the 23-year-old Spaniard through on goal.

van der Sar was left flat-footed by Pedro's strike

He coolly slotted the ball past Edwin van der Sar with ease, although the retiring Dutchman will have been disappointed as he was flat-footed and couldn't even try to stop the effort.

Patrice Evra will also have been disappointed with his role in the goal after being sucked towards the run of Messi, leaving Pedro free.

Surprisingly, United were given a foothold in the game just seven minutes later with a goal Barcelona would have been proud of.

Wayne Rooney's equaliser appeared to give United a chance in the game

Wayne Rooney exchanged passes with Ryan Giggs - who may have been offside - before unleashing a stunning shot past Victor Valdes. The goal hadn't been coming but appeared to give United fresh hope. In truth, though, this only delayed the inevitable.

Just nine minutes after half-time, the Messi show took over.

After a couple of close misses just before and after half-time, Messi decided enough was enough.

25 yards out, he smashed a stunning low shot past van der Sar to again give United a mountain to climb.

He should have been closed down better by United's defence and the shot shouldn't have beaten van der Sar as it was central, but take nothing away from the quality of the strike.

Messi's goal was his 53rd in 55 games this season

Messi took advantage of the space given to him with maximum effect, with his firecracker beating van der Sar in the blink of an eye.

With United visibly tiring and Barcelona having more and more chances to win the game, David Villa finished it off with the goal of the night.

With the ball at his feet on the edge of the box, he picked his spot in the top corner of the goal to leave van der Sar with no chance. Villa didn't have his most effective game but he worked hard and this goal was his reward.

Villa's stunning finish put the seal on a superb Barcelona display

Although United will be disappointed with how they conceded Barca's first two goals, there was nothing more they could have realistically done to stop the Catalans.

They are a class apart and when these United players look back in 20 years or so at their careers, they should feel privileged to have shared a pitch with this team.

They are a magic team and neutrals should enjoy watching them while they get the chance.

Barcelona have won the Champions League for two of the last three seasons now - it could have been three in a row if it wasn't for Jose Mourinho's miracle with Inter Milan last season - and they could dominate for years if this side is kept together.

The only pity is that there isn't a side that can get near them. Imagine how good football would be if there were two teams playing at that level.

This Barcelona will be talked about in decades to come, of that there is no doubt.

Even Mascherano, playing in an unfamiliar role as a central defender, was excellent after a nervy start.

In truth, Barcelona could have played anyone in defence as they dominate so much they rarely come under pressure. But credit where credit is due as Mascherano was written off in the lead-up to this game and he proved the doubters wrong.

There was a lot to dislike about Barcelona in the semi-final against Real Madrid but nothing to dislike about them in the final.

The histrionics of that game did not rear their ugly heads at Wembley, Pep Guardiola and his side seemingly determined to demonstrate only the beautiful side of their game.

Letting Eric Abidal lift the trophy, just two months after undergoing surgery for cancer, summed them up.

Eric Abidal had an operation for liver cancer just two months ago

Carlos Puyol, as captain, must have dreamt about lifting the trophy at Wembley but he passed over the responsibility to Abidal as reward for his wonderful bravery. It was a great touch befitting of this team.

Barcelona are a juggernaut at the moment and so much of that is down to manager Pep Guardiola.

He allows his players to express themselves and rarely makes a tactical error. He has built something very special, something which could dominate for years, which makes recent rumours he may be set to leave seem ludicrous.

Pep Guardiola also won the Champions League at Wembley as a player

If he was to leave now, he would only go down. He will never be in charge of a team better than this and he should manage them for as long as he possibly can.

Yes, there might be incredible pressure on him but he seems to thrive on it. Everyone must love him in Barcelona for his achievements as there really isn't anything more he could have done in his three-year spell in charge. Three league championships and two Champions Leagues in three years is an unbelievable record and Guardiola has the chance to build a real dynasty at the Nou Camp.

Ferguson has certainly built a dynasty at Manchester United but even his side can't compete against this Barcelona. His side were second-best throughout and Ferguson took defeat well as he knew his side had come up against a dream team.

Ferguson has now seen his side beaten twice in three years by Barcelona in the Champions League final

Only Wayne Rooney made any real impact on the game, but Rooney's excellent performance offers real hope for the future for Ferguson and United.

Rooney has now proved he can perform on the very biggest stages against the best in the world, meaning United can feel confident they will keep putting themselves in positions to win major trophies like this.

At the moment, if you compare United and Barcelona, Rooney is the only United player who would get into the Barca team.

He worked tirelessly and took his goal brilliantly, surely confirming his status as one of the best players in the world.

Rooney consoles Javier Hernandez after the final whistle

Rooney can be safe in the knowledge there is nothing more he could have done and largely his team-mates can feel the same.

Sir Alex Ferguson's warm embrace with counterpart Pep Guardiola both before and after the final whistle showed what great respect he has for this super-team. After the game, he described them as the best team he had ever faced.

Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson have tremendous respect for each other

They have now taken their place in history, with many believing them to be the best team of all-time.

They are up there with the great Real Madrid team of the 1950s, Brazil of 1970 and Liverpool of the 1980s. It is hard to compare them with teams from other generations but one thing is for sure: they are the greatest team of their generation.

The match stats from this final tell their own story.

Barcelona had 68% possession, United had just three shots (one on target) in the whole game and United did not have a single corner. Barcelona are simply a machine and even the very best sides can not touch them.

This has still been a great season for United, with a Premier League title and a place in the Champions League final not to be sniffed at.

They should not be too down-heartened by the way their season ended as they can be safe in the knowledge Barcelona would have done that to any team.

The Catalans are just a class apart and, without being disrespectful to United, their win is a victory for football.

The beautiful game has been dragged through the mud in recent months with all the recent scandals surrounding FIFA, but Barcelona are a reminder of why we fell in love with football in the first place.

Barcelona are the kings of the modern game and should be the side others aspire to.

They are a pleasure to watch and a team which will never be forgotten.

All hail Barcelona.

What a season

Nemanja Vidic captained Manchester United to a 19th league title

Now the dust has began to settle on an enthralling Premier League season, it is time to look back and offer a review of the campaign.

This was one of the most thrilling campaigns ever, not because of the quality but because of the sheer excitement, closeness of the competition and number of goals.

There is a lot of hype around the Premier League, but it surely is the best league in the world.

Only Germany's Bundesliga can match it in terms of fan numbers and passion, and this will always be the case.

Spanish football has the two best teams in the world - Barcelona and Real Madrid - but not a whole lot else.

Italy has lost its glamour in recent years too, with the integrity of the league stained after the match-fixing scandal of 2006. Fan numbers are down and interest is beginning to drop.

La Liga may be the league with the best 'quality' at the top end of the competition but certainly not the most excitement.

Most atmospheres are stale and many games are played in front of half-empty stadia, with Almeria playing two games this season in front of just 5000 fans.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are so far ahead of the rest that the league has become far too predictable.

Real Madrid have registered wins of 8-1 and 7-0, while Barcelona won an away game 8-0, while in England any heavy victories for the top sides took place at the beginning of the season.

The gap between the top and the bottom has closed in England, with champions Manchester United losing at Wolves, second-placed Chelsea also losing at Molineux and relegated Birmingham, while third-placed Manchester City were another side to lose at Wolves.

Wolves beat Manchester United 2-1 at Molineux

Teams at the bottom no longer go into games against the top sides with any real trepidation, with every team feeling they can win any game, and this has helped provide a thrilling season.

This season will mostly be remembered for Manchester United winning a record 19th English league title.

They won 18 of their 19 home games and that is where the league was won.

They are formidable at home and looked unbeatable at Old Trafford this season. This was crucial as they won just five away games, another indicator of the tightness of the competition.

This is by no means a vintage United side, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson will cherish this triumph as much as any other.

His team have been written off throughout the season, but by winning the league and reaching the Champions League final they have proved that Manchester United should never be written off.

The quality of the sides at the top of the Premier League has undoubtedly dropped in recent years but this has been good for the game, evening out the competition.

This United side sums that up.

Their triumph was based on a real team effort, with no real superstars standing out.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will retire after the Champions League final at Wembley

The likes of Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Nani and Ryan Giggs have all played a similarly important part, and the lack of a standout superstar is why this team has been criticised in the past.

Their competition for the title has left a lot to be desired though.

Chelsea started in blistering form but crumbled in November and December after the sacking of assistant manager Ray Wilkins.

They were well off the pace and never returned to form, despite the January £50million signing of Fernando Torres, but somehow got to within three points of Manchester United and almost nicked the title.

It would have been bad for the game if they had won the league as they have been woeful for much of the season and would have been truly undeserving winners.

Manchester City finished third but never really threatened to win the title, while Arsenal threw away a league which should have been theirs and eventually finished fourth.

The title was there for the taking for Arsene Wenger's side this season, but they imploded too many times and showed their mental frailties throughout.

Most of the drama was saved for the bottom of the league and the relegation battle, with 'Survival Sunday' certainly not disappointing.

West Ham, Blackpool and Birmingham went down but all could so easily have stayed up.

Ian Holloway's attacking Blackpool side were a breath of fresh air for the Premier League this season

They are all decent sides and, particularly in the case of Blackpool and Birmingham, they have a great chance of bouncing straight back up.

Before the season, most observers predicted Blackpool would be relegated by some margin but they confounded the critics throughout the campaign and only just failed to survive.

Most neutrals wanted them to survive as they lit up the Premier League this season with their attacking instincts and exciting style of football. As Sir Alex Ferguson said, they will be a loss to the Premier League.

Birmingham experienced the joy of winning the Carling Cup but were unlucky to be relegated.

Their form did plummet as the season drew to a close and their lack of a goalscorer cost them, but injuries and suspensions at crucial times handicapped them.

Until quite near the end of the season, there were around 14 clubs involved in the relegation battle and that provided great excitement.

Hopefully, this trend will continue in the future as it is great to see such tight battles and every team having something to play for.

This has been a fantastic season in the Premier League which produced one of the most exciting relegation battles ever, and in the coming days and weeks I will be offering individual reviews of each Premier League team's season.

For now though, here are my awards of the season:

Luka Modric was not nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award

Best player: Luka Modric. (Runner-up: Vincent Kompany) Spurs' midfield magician often gets overshadowed by team-mates Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart but the Croatian is the man who makes them tick. The best passer in the Premier League, Modric was key in Spurs' Champions League adventure and creates so many chances. With a deadly striker, Spurs would be an even greater force as Modric would give them so many opportunities to score. Modric has been outstanding all season and it is a real shame he is not given the praise he deserves. Spurs must keep hold of him if they are to progress as without him, they would be nowhere.

Best young player: Jack Wilshere. (Runner-up: Javier Hernandez) At just 19, Wilshere has established himself as a key member of an Arsenal side who challenged for the title for much of the season. He made 35 Premier League appearances this campaign and was excellent against the might of Barcelona in the Champions League. He has already won four England caps and looks set to secure a regular place in the England midfield. There seems no limit to what Wilshere can achieve in the game providing he keeps his feet on the ground and stays injury-free.

Unsung hero: Dirk Kuyt. (Runner-up: David Vaughan) Dirk Kuyt is always praised for his work-rate, but this season he has backed that up with 13 league goals from the right-wing. He was an integral part of a Liverpool team in excellent form under Kenny Dalglish and, at 30, looks set to be a key player for them next season. He still doesn't get the praise he deserves, largely due to his reputation as someone who tries hard but doesn't really produce, but he has improved so much in the last few years that he should get more recognition. He could be a real contender for Liverpool's Player of the Year, and his hat-trick against Manchester United will live long in the memory of Liverpool fans.

One-man team: Charlie Adam, Blackpool. (Runner-up: Scott Parker, West Ham) It may be a bit harsh to call Blackpool a 'one-man team' but Adam has been phenomenal this season despite the Seasiders' relegation. He takes all their free-kicks, corners and penalties and scored twelve times in the league this season. He was at the heart of everything Blackpool did well and they will find it impossible to replace him when he leaves this summer. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to being a small fish in a big pond rather than a big fish in a small pond next season. Liverpool are said to be interested and his form this season has warranted a move of that calibre.

Tony Pulis is in his second spell as Stoke manager

Best manager: Tony Pulis. (Runners-up: Sir Alex Ferguson and Ian Holloway) Sir Alex Ferguson has done magnificently to lead a 'mechanical' Manchester United side to the title and Champions League final, but Tony Pulis has arguably done an even more impressive job at Stoke. He doesn't get the credit he deserves at times, but he has done remarkably well at the Britannia Stadium. They may have finished two places lower than last season, in 13th, but that was largely due to the closeness of the league. They could so easily have finished eighth. They reached the FA Cup final for the first time in Stoke's history this season. Chairman Peter Coates describes Pulis as the club's greatest ever manager.

Best team: Manchester United. (Runner-up: Manchester City) Who else but the 19-times champions of England? This team may lack the flair great United teams of the past have had but more than make up for that with a real team effort. They won 18 out of their 19 home games, with performances from Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez particularly standing out. This team never accepts defeat until the game is over, as they proved by coming from two down to beat West Ham and Blackpool and from two down to draw at Aston Villa. They boast the league's joint-top scorer, Dimitar Berbatov, yet he couldn't get into the team by the end of the season which shows the strength in depth they have. If they win the Champions League at Wembley, this will be one of the best seasons in the club's history.

Best game: Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal. (Runners-up: Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal and Wigan 3-2 West Ham) 4-0 down at half-time against title-chasing Arsenal, having just sold star striker Andy Carroll, the future looked bleak for Newcastle. Thoughts of relegation swept around St James' Park and anger at the board for selling Carroll was clear. 45 crazy minutes later however, and the Toon Army's faith in their team was restored. Abou Diaby was sent off before a Joey Barton-inspired Newcastle went on a rampage, pulling the score back to 4-3 before Cheik Tiote's blockbusting equaliser sent St James' Park wild. Kevin Nolan almost won the game for the Magpies in stoppage time. This game was another prime example of Arsenal's mental frailties. The first time in Premier League history a side has come back from four goals down, this is a game which will live long in the memory. A game like this will not be seen again for quite some time.

Best signing: Cheik Tiote. (Runners-up: Javier Hernandez, Peter Odemwingie and Luis Suarez) While Hernandez and Odemwingie rightfully grabbed the headlines for their magnificent first seasons in English football, Newcastle's midfield lynchpin Cheik Tiote deserves this award for his exceptional displays this season. He may have picked up 14 bookings but his contribution has been immense when he hasn't been suspended, helping to break up opposition attacks and start attacks for his team. A low-key signing last summer for around £3.5million, Tiote has quickly established himself as a key member of a Newcastle side who enjoyed a strong start to life back in the Premier League. The Magpies will do well to keep hold of him in the summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea said to be interested.

Bebe has failed to impress since moving to Old Trafford last summer

Worst signing: Bebe. (Runners-up: Fernando Torres, Joe Cole and Stephen Ireland) It says something that Bebe has beaten Fernando Torres to this award. Torres has been awful since joining Chelsea for £50million in January but may offer hope for the future, while Bebe has been a joke since joining Manchester United. It cost United a reported £7.4million to land him last summer and this is money they may as well have thrown down the drain. Two league games and no goals later, this is looking like one of the worst signings of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign at Old Trafford. He may come good in the future but it seems highly unlikely.

Cheik Tiote's stunning goal sparked scenes of jubilation at St James' Park

Best goal: Cheik Tiote, Newcastle vs Arsenal. (Runner-up: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United vs Manchester City) Tiote had never looked like troubling the scorers until his stunning 35-yard left foot volley sealed Newcastle's four-goal comeback against Arsenal. It is easy to forget that Tiote is right-footed when watching this goal, and the strike will live long in the memory of Newcastle fans. With the ball in the air, heading towards Tiote, it was one of those moments when time seemed to stand still. "Surely not?" was probably the thought going through most minds. It was the sweetest of strikes, angling away from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to leave the Pole with no chance. This goal will go down in Geordie folklore.

Dirk Kuyt's 102nd-minute penalty was the latest goal in Premier League history

Best moment: Dirk Kuyt's 102nd-minute penalty against Arsenal. (Runners-up: Cheik Tiote's equaliser against Arsenal, Birmingham win Carling Cup, Blackpool win at Anfield and Wayne Rooney's penalty against Blackburn to seal title) Arsenal needed to win this game to stand a realistic chance of the title and Robin van Persie's 98th-minute penalty seemed to earn the Gunners a vital win. However, with stoppage time continuing due to an earlier injury to Jamie Carragher, Liverpool pushed forward and were given a penalty when Emmanuel Eboue clumsily bundled over Lucas in the box. Dirk Kuyt stepped up in the 102nd-minute and earned Liverpool a point which, ultimately, helped great rivals Manchester United overtake them by winning their 19th league title. A touch-line row between Arsene Wenger and Kenny Dalglish ensued, with Wenger realising his side had thrown away any chance of winning the title.

The agony and the ecstasy

Birmingham and Blackpool suffered the agony of relegation

Madness. Complete and utter madness. There is no other way to describe it.

We all knew 'Survival Sunday' would provide thrills, spills and a river-load of tears.

But no-one could have predicted just how many twists and turns there would be as Blackpool and Birmingham eventually perished.

In years gone by, both teams would have been comfortably safe on 39 points, so both can count themselves extremely unlucky to be relegated.

The Premier League may have lost some of its quality in recent years but it remains the best league in the world through sheer drama, excitement and now unpredictability.

While Blackburn, Wigan and Wolves will be delighted to have survived, the real winner on this day of tension was football.

Even script-writers couldn't have thought up a story like this, with Wigan and Wolves both looking doomed at times before pulling off miraculous escapes.

Wolves appeared all but safe going into the day after two-straight wins, but were 3-0 down at half-time at home to Blackburn and at that point were going down.

David Hoilett's goal put Blackburn 3-0 up at Molineux

No-one associated with Wolves had seen that coming, but that is what nerves can do to teams.

They were seemingly tossing away their Premier League status with a whimper after becoming complacent at the position they had found themselves in.

As it eventually turned out, Wolves wouldn't have gone down no matter how many goals they lost by, but for a long period they looked like goners.

Blackpool put in an admirable performance away at Manchester United and at various points in the afternoon it looked like they would survive.

Charlie Adam's fantastic free-kick put Blackpool on target to stay up

Keith Southern missed a gilt-edged chance early on before Park Ji-Sung opened the scoring for United, only for captain fantastic Charlie Adam to arrow home a beautiful free-kick at the Stretford End to send the Seasiders in level at half-time.

With Wigan and Birmingham's tough away games against Stoke and Tottenham respectively still goalless at the break, at that point it looked like it would be Wigan and Wolves going down. What a difference a half of football was about to make.

Within 45 minutes, supporters of Wolves, Wigan, Blackpool and Birmingham travelled to the depths of despair and back again, only for some cruel late strikes to eventually rob the 'two Bs' of their Premier League lives.

Blackpool supporters were in dreamland early in the second half as, after hearing news Roman Pavlyuchenko had scored at White Hart Lane to put Birmingham behind, Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored what looked like a priceless goal to give the Tangerines an improbable 2-1 lead at Old Trafford.

Even Anderson's equaliser on 62 minutes didn't appear to hurt them too badly as they were still on target to stay up, but in fact this set in place a series of events which condemned Blackpool to the Championship.

Ian Evatt's own goal set the seal on Blackpool's relegation

United were well on top at this stage and looked likely to score from every attack, and the telling blow came on 74 minutes when Ian Evatt converted Chris Smalling's cross into his own net. Barring a miracle, a defeat at Old Trafford would send Blackpool down.

The Seasiders characteristically kept attacking but Michael Owen's 81st-minute goal sealed Blackpool's fate. As for the other relegation spot, there was still much drama to be played out.

It looked like it would be Birmingham joining Blackpool in the Championship at this stage with them being 1-0 down at Tottenham, but Wolves knew they were not safe yet as any goal from the Blues would be likely to send them down.

Jamie O'Hara's goal for Wolves 17 minutes from time at Molineux brought them back to within two of Blackburn but they were still vulnerable to any goal from White Hart Lane.

Hugo Rodallega's late header secured Wigan's survival

Wigan had done a fine job to nullify Stoke's threat at the Britannia Stadium and got their reward on 78 minutes when Hugo Rodallega nodded home to send the travelling Latics fans potty. They knew that, with three sides above them losing, they were well and truly safe.

It was now a straight shoot-out between Wolves and Birmingham and the drama, unthinkably, was still not over.

Craig Gardner's equaliser sparked scenes of joy for Birmingham

Birmingham's inspiration Craig Gardner unleashed a stunning left-foot strike into the bottom corner at White Hart Lane to spark scenes of wild jubilation among players, fans and staff alike. This looked set to keep the Blues up on goal difference.

With Birmingham fans eagerly listening to the Wolves game, praying the scoreline stayed the same, disaster struck for them.

Stephen Hunt's goal three minutes from the end was set to keep Wolves up on goal difference

Stephen Hunt's stunning strike three minutes from time at Molineux meant Wolves were staying up on goal difference if the scores remained as they were.

This was the cruellest of blows for Carling Cup winners Birmingham, whose emotions had gone from delirium to despair in the space of just eight minutes.

Knowing they needed to win the game to stay up, Alex McLeish sent defenders Roger Johnson and Curtis Davies up front and, wide open at the back, Pavlyuchenko added his second to confirm Birmingham's drop.

Birmingham's players knew they were relegated after Pavlyuchenko's 93rd-minute strike

The tension and drama of the day was almost too much for neutrals to bear, so it is hard to imagine what fans, players and staff of the teams involved must have gone through during the day.

As has already been mentioned, Blackpool and Birmingham went down on 39 points, a tally that would have been enough to see them survive for 11 of the last 12 seasons.

Blackpool have done themselves proud this season by sticking to their attacking principles.

It may not have been enough to save them in the end, but hopefully teams coming up will realise that attacking is the way to go in the Premier League. A balance needs to be struck of course, but Blackpool have proved it is possible to achieve success by playing positively.

They should remember this season fondly as they have won many admirers up and down the country and have some wonderful memories to take away with them.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has a lot to be proud about after his first season as a Premier League manager

They did the double over Liverpool, also won away at Newcastle, Sunderland, Stoke and Wigan and produced great performances against some of the top teams.

A lot of refereeing decisions went against them during the campaign and they were unlucky in several games, so the Seasiders have nothing to reproach themselves about. They gave it their all and, despite pre-season predictions by many that they would struggle to reach double-figures in terms of points, only just missed out on a second season in the Premier League.

Ian Holloway has done an unbelievable job at Bloomfield Road and looks likely to stay, so it may not be too long before the Seasiders are back in the Premier League.

They will have to go into the new season without skipper Charlie Adam, though, who looks set for bigger and better things and has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool. It will be a major blow for Blackpool to lose him but if they can re-invest the money they gain from the transfer wisely they will have a real chance of bouncing straight back.

As for Birmingham, relegation will have come as a shock after their positive first season back in the top flight last season.

Boyhood Birmingham fan Craig Gardner was left devastated by his side's relegation

The fluctuation in their emotions during the game at White Hart Lane summed up their season, as they went from the joy of winning the Carling Cup to the misery of relegation.

It is hard to say whether they would swap their League Cup triumph for their Premier League status as the chance of winning a cup doesn't come around too often, but they will be devastated by their drop.

Their main problem has been the lack of a goalscorer, with Birmingham the only team in the Premier League this season to average less than a goal a game.

Their board have announced Alex McLeish will remain as manager despite the relegation and that is good news for them.

McLeish is a very good manager who has been unlucky at times this season and he deserves the chance to lead Birmingham back into the top flight, as he did two years ago.

If they can keep hold of players like Ben Foster and Craig Gardner, it is hard to bet against McLeish bringing Birmingham straight back up.

Blackburn were technically still in with a chance of going down going into 'Survival Sunday', but any relegation fears were wiped away in the first-half at Wolves.

They shouldn't have been anywhere near the bottom three but the strong end to the season they enjoyed should fill them with hope for next season.

Whether Steve Kean is the right man for the job remains to be seen but he looks set to be given a chance and this stability could hold the key for Rovers.

Their Indian owners, Venky's, are thought to have promised Kean a large transfer budget for the summer and the future could be bright at Ewood Park if they strengthen their squad with quality players.

Wolves did well to escape after looking doomed for much of 'Survival Sunday' but their real work was done in the two games leading up to it.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy couldn't hide his delight after the final whistle

They beat West Brom and Sunderland consecutively after occupying a place in the bottom three for much of the season and these were the results which saved them.

They enjoyed some great wins at Molineux, with victories over the top three of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City standing out, and also suffered bad luck at times where strong performances did not produce the points they warranted.

Mick McCarthy will now lead Wolves into their third-straight season in the Premier League and that gives them a real platform to build on.

It seems likely they will face another real battle to stay up next season but for now they should enjoy this success and look forward positively.

Finally, enormous praise should go to Wigan for pulling off their great escape.

2-0 down at home to West Ham last Sunday, there seemed no way back for them. They were destined for the Championship, something which had looked likely all season.

They somehow recovered to defeat a beleaguered Hammers side and followed that up with a superb win at Stoke.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was hoisted into the air by his players after their great escape

Roberto Martinez has had his troubles this season but never complained once, proving himself to be one of the brightest young managers in the game by keeping his composure.

Their survival also ensures the fairytale story of Wigan Athletic goes on for at least another year.

Next season will be their seventh-straight campaign in the Premier League and for a club of Wigan's stature that is remarkable.

Their average attendance is less than 17,000 so they always have their work cut out to stay in the top flight, but time and again they have launched amazing recoveries to cling on to their Premier League status.

Dave Whelan, as chairman, has done an unbelievable job at Wigan and he deserves this.

Dave Whelan bought Wigan in 1995 when they were a fourth-tier club

He has worked tirelessly to keep his beloved club afloat and nothing gives him greater pleasure than seeing Wigan stay up, and the stability he provides for his managers is something most Premier League bosses can only dream of.

It seems inevitable some of Wigan's top performers will leave in the summer, with the likes of Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega repeatedly linked with moves, but for the moment they should bask in the success of staying up.

It will be another uphill battle for them to survive next season but with Whelan and Martinez working in tandem, they will have more than a fighting chance.

Wigan, Wolves and Blackburn all beat the drop on 'Survival Sunday' and deservedly so.

But credit must go to relegated Blackpool and Birmingham, who both could easily have stayed up if things had worked out slightly differently.

It was a phenomenal day of football which encapsulated what this great sport is all about, with the drama surely unmatched in any other game.

A day like this may not be seen again for quite some time because this was something remarkable.

A Wolves fan shows his relief after his side's escape

Twisting and turning until the end, this is a Premier League relegation battle, indeed season, which will live long in the memory.

Blackpool and Birmingham will join West Ham in the Championship next season but have not been disgraced in any shape or form.

This was the most difficult season ever to stay up in the Premier League and two very decent sides have fell through the trapdoor.

The quality at the top of the league may not be as strong as it once was, but at the bottom it has never been better or tighter.

All three relegated clubs will have a great chance of bouncing back up next season, even West Ham with their fan-base and stature, so relegation shouldn't represent the end of the road.

Championship teams should watch out.

Judgement Day

Blackburn, Birmingham, Wolves, Blackpool and Wigan will fight for their lives on Sunday

If Harold Camping's prediction the world will come to an end today proves correct, we will never find out who survives on 'Survival Sunday', which will be a shame.

There has been so much hype and build-up to this day that for whoever goes down, it will feel like the end of the world.

Wigan, Blackpool, Birmingham, Wolves and Blackburn are all in peril and this openness promises to provide a great day of drama for the neutrals.

The beauty of the last weekend of this Premier League season is that seven of the ten games have something meaningful riding on them, meaning fans will not know where to look for the biggest stories as there will be so many.

Here are my previews and predictions for all ten of the games, which promise to be packed with nerves and excitement (providing the world hasn't ended by then).

Aston Villa v Liverpool (1600 Sunday)

David Ngog was among the scorers as Liverpool beat Villa 3-0 earlier this season

Aston Villa have had a wretched season but seem to have turned the corner now and are enjoying a strong end to the campaign.

They have lost just one of their last seven games to secure survival and last week's 2-1 win at Arsenal offers real hope for next season.

There is a lot of uncertainty over whether manager Gerard Houllier will return to boss the side next season after his health scare and this is something which should be sorted out quickly to ensure Villa start next season strongly.

They will need to keep hold of the likes of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the summer if they are to progress but if they can do that, and add a bit of depth to the squad, next season should be a lot better than this one has proved to be.

As for Liverpool, last Sunday's 2-0 home loss to Tottenham was no more than a minor blip for Kenny Dalglish's side.

Dalglish has had a terrific time since returning as manager in January and they still have a chance of wrestling fifth place away from Tottenham, which would be a great achievement.

There is so much hope for the future at Anfield with John Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Jonjo Shelvey among others possessing real potential, while Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will lead the line for years to come and inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard will return for the start of next season. They are also likely to strengthen their squad in the summer so the future looks bright for Dalglish's Reds.

Despite Liverpool having the motivation of trying to finish fifth, there will be a real end-of-season feel to this fixture and that should provide an open game with the away side possibly coming out on top.

Prediction: 1-2

Bolton v Manchester City (1600 Sunday)

Carlos Tevez scored the only goal in the reverse fixture against Bolton

Bolton have suffered four successive defeats so Owen Coyle will be determined his side finish with a win.

They looked set to have such a great season but that has fallen apart since they were dismantled 5-0 by Stoke in the FA Cup semi-final.

They remain in 10th and deserve at least a top-half finish for their early-season work but only a win here will be good enough to achieve that.

Whatever happens here, Bolton have had a very good season but that risks being overshadowed if they finish with a fifth-straight loss.

Manchester City are now lying in third and that is a major bonus for Roberto Mancini's side.

They have also won the FA Cup so this season has been a major success for City and gives them a real platform to build on.

It would be great for them to win here and secure third, therefore avoiding having to play in the Champions League play-offs, and the way Bolton have been playing recently they should have no real problems at the Reebok Stadium.

With Carlos Tevez on form and City finishing the season on the crest of a wave, there should only be one winner here.

Prediction: 0-2

Everton v Chelsea (1600 Sunday)

Jermaine Beckford's header earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge

Everton will be happy with how they have recovered from their early season troubles but David Moyes will be wondering if he has taken this side as far as he can.

Without significant investment, the excellent Moyes can do nothing to compete with free-spending clubs like Manchester City and Tottenham, so he must be considering his options.

Every season, Everton seem to finish higher than their squad would suggest so Moyes has done a terrific job at Goodison Park but may need a new challenge.

Toffees fans may argue that if they can start next season the way they usually end the season they could challenge for Champions League qualification but it would take a remarkable effort to achieve that.

This game looks set to be Carlo Ancelotti's last game in charge of Chelsea.

His side have been disappointing this season but they are set to finish second and they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, so many would argue this campaign has not been as bad as many have made it out to be.

Next year could be the one for Chelsea to kick on with Fernando Torres in particular being tipped to return to form, so the future may not be all that bleak under Ancelotti, who won the double in his first season in charge.

There is nothing really riding on this game and Everton have performed well against the so-called 'bigger' clubs recently, so that could lead to a home win here.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v Arsenal (1600 Sunday)

Two excellent Samir Nasri goals handed Arsenal a 2-1 win over Fulham in December

Fulham may have had a torrid time of it in their last home game against Liverpool, but they are finishing the season strongly and could clinch seventh place with a win here.

Around Christmas time, they looked in real danger of going down and Mark Hughes was said to be a game or two away from the sack, so he deserves credit for the way he has turned it around.

Bobby Zamora is now back from injury and the likes of Clint Dempsey are continuing to impress, so Fulham should be very pleased with how this season has turned out.

Arsenal, though, will be bitterly disappointed by their season.

They have fallen apart recently and won just two of their last ten league games, meaning they have slipped from title contention to fourth place in a matter of weeks.

Arsene Wenger needs to strengthen his squad significantly in the summer or he will face these same problems again and again.

There is a lot of hope for the future, with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs, but this always seems to be the case and yet they still aren't delivering trophies.

If they don't win here they are sure to have to play in the play-offs of the Champions League which will be an added complication, and the way they are playing at the moment a win at Craven Cottage for them is extremely unlikely.

Prediction: 3-1

Manchester United v Blackpool (1600 Sunday)

Dimitar Berbatov scored twice as United came from 2-0 down to beat Blackpool earlier this season

Whatever Manchester United team Sir Alex Ferguson puts out here, you can be sure they will be up for the game and eager to protect their unbeaten home record.

United will lift the Premier League trophy after this game and will not want to do that on the back of a defeat as they did in 2007, and with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson and Patrice Evra playing, it is hard to see Blackpool winning at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have looked unbeatable at home this season and their squad players proved they were more than good enough by thrashing Schalke in the Champions League semi-final second leg, so it could be a long afternoon for the Seasiders.

It would be a real shame if Ian Holloway's Blackpool were relegated as they have been a refreshing addition to the Premier League.

They have lit up the league at times and provided great entertainment with their attacking style, with the likes of Charlie Adam really making a name for themselves with fantastic seasons.

Their away record has been particularly impressive - they have won as many times on the road as champions United - and they have had plenty of bad luck this season so they deserve another year in the Premier League.

They know getting anything from this game will be an uphill task but if they can keep the score down, they will be in with a real chance of staying up on goal difference.

It is hard to see United losing at home here but Blackpool will give it a good go and should keep the score respectable.

Prediction: 1-0

Newcastle v West Brom (1600 Sunday)

Newcastle's 3-1 loss at the Hawthorns this season proved to be Chris Hughton's last game in charge

Both these sides can look back on very successful first seasons back in the Premier League and the winner of this game looks set to secure a top-half finish.

Both clubs sacked the managers which won them promotion in mid-season and both decisions looked harsh, but the respective boards will feel their decisions have been justified.

Alan Pardew replaced Chris Hughton at Newcastle in December with fans protesting against owner Mike Ashley's decision, but has coped with this well.

He lost star player Andy Carroll in January but his side has continued to pick up points and the £35million gained from the Carroll deal may prove invaluable in the summer.

New strikers are desperately needed at St James' Park as the likes of Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands are not good enough to lead a Premier League attack, but if Pardew spends his money wisely next season could be an exciting one for the Magpies.

Roy Hodgson has done a magnificent job since taking over from Roberto di Matteo in February and led the Baggies to their best season in the Premier League.

With his experience and players of the calibre of Peter Odemwingie and Chris Brunt at the Hawthorns, there is much to be hopeful about for West Brom fans.

Both these teams like to attack and that could provide an exciting game, with Newcastle perhaps edging it because of their home advantage.

Prediction: 3-2

Stoke v Wigan (1600 Sunday)

Tom Cleverley scored in the 2-2 draw between the sides in December

If Wigan win this game, they will finish the season just four points behind Stoke which says it all about how tight the Premier League has been this season.

Of course, the bigger motivation for the Latics here is to stay up, and they will be confident a point will be enough to save them.

There will be no better time for Wigan to visit the Britannia Stadium than this as Stoke are still reeling from their FA Cup final defeat and seem to have nothing left to give.

Tony Pulis will have his side up for this game as a win will secure a top-half finish, and they will certainly be no push-overs here.

The way Wigan celebrated their thrilling win over West Ham last week, you would think they had already secured survival but they still have a massive task ahead of them here.

Sitting 19th, they need to get something out of this game and hope other results go their way.

If Charles N'Zogbia continues his recent good form and his side can tighten up at the back, Wigan should have a real chance here.

Having said that, I'm still not convinced by them and, despite their recent good form, I think they will lose and suffer the agony of relegation here.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Birmingham (1600 Sunday)

Craig Gardner's late goal gave Birmingham a 1-1 draw against Tottenham earlier this season

Tottenham have regained fifth place from Liverpool and no matter what anybody says they will want to qualify for next season's Europa League.

Their major problem this season has been the amount of points they have dropped at home, with teams like Birmingham often picking up points at White Hart Lane.

They have won just two of their last eleven games but they still possess a formidable team, with the likes of Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric set to cause Birmingham no end of problems here.

Birmingham have lost four of their last five games to slip into the relegation mire and are now only out of the bottom three on goal difference.

All the joy of their Carling Cup triumph is now a distant memory and they are in severe danger of the drop now.

If Sebastian Larsson can perform in what is likely to be his last game for the Blues, they will have a chance but it is hard to see where their next point is coming from at the moment.

As with Blackpool, it may be a case of keeping the score down and hoping to stay up on goal difference, which is a dangerous ploy but may be necessary.

Tottenham will want to send their fans home happy and that could spell trouble for Birmingham, who will surely have to rely on other results going their way.

Prediction: 3-0

West Ham v Sunderland (1600 Sunday)

Jordan Henderson scored the only goal in the reverse fixture

2-0 up and cruising at Wigan last weekend, this should have been the game West Ham would need to win to survive in the Premier League.

As it is, this is now their funeral and the atmosphere will be one of hurt and anger.

Avram Grant has paid for his side's failure with his job but it is the club's owners and players who will face the fans' wrath here.

A team with the likes of Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Matthew Upson in it should not have even been in a relegation battle, so Hammers fans will let their feelings be known here.

This is a game West Ham would rather not face as there is nothing they can possibly gain from it.

Sunderland cannot wait for the season to be over either.

They looked set to challenge for a European place earlier in the season but all that has fallen apart since January and Steve Bruce looks set to have a big summer ahead of him in the transfer market.

Despite all the issues surrounding this game, I can see the Hammers picking up three points which will act as small consolation for their relegation.

Prediction: 2-1

Wolves v Blackburn (1600 Sunday)

David Dunn was among the scorers in Blackburn's 3-0 win against Wolves in December

Depending on other results, this could be a relegation shoot-out but in reality neither of these sides should go down.

Wolves have picked up two straight wins at just the right time and Mick McCarthy's side deserve to stay up.

They have beaten some top sides this season and been unlucky in other games, so it is just a pity it has taken this long for them to get the luck.

Steven Fletcher has been the key player recently and should cause problems against Blackburn here.

Rovers are extremely unlikely to go down but have not been helped by negative press this week.

If they had waited until the end of the season to sack Sam Allardyce, they would not have been in any trouble and it seems inevitable Steve Kean will not be their manager next season.

The owners seem to have good resources and if they can spend them wisely in the summer, next season should be a lot more promising for them.

They have been playing well recently but so have Wolves so the home side should finish the season off with a win here.

Prediction: 3-0

If my predictions are to come true, it will be Wigan and Birmingham suffering the pain of relegation on Sunday night.

Blackpool would move out of the bottom three on goal difference despite losing at Manchester United, which would be some finish to the season.

It is so hard to predict that these tips will probably be well wide of the mark.

Whatever happens, it should be a day of nerve-shredding action right to the end.

This is a great end to the season for the neutrals but for those whose teams are involved it will be agony.

We may never get to see 'Survival Sunday' if certain Americans are to be believed, with the end of the world said to be nigh, but for five teams here all they will be worrying about is avoiding relegation.

For them, going down might just be the end of the world.