The English football season ended in triumph in, of all places, Moscow. In the very first all English European Cup Final, Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties after former England captain, John Terry, missed a crucial penalty that would have given the Londoners the trophy. Still, no London club has ever won the coveted European Cup. Manager Avram Grant was ridiculously rewarded shortly afterwards with the grand order of the boot.
Earlier, Frank Lampard had cancelled out Ronaldo's 42nd goal of the season. United took the trophy for the third time as I forecast they would in my article here from last August. It completed a successful season for the mercurial Sir Alex Ferguson after United had pipped Chelsea (my selection) for the Premier League title as well, giving the red devils a memorable double, and the boss's 10th premier league title, easily a record.
It could have been even better but for a stubborn Pompey team who pulled off the unlikeliest of FA Cup victories at Old Trafford. United besieged the Pompey goal for most of the match, while Portsmouth won the game with a penalty, their only shot on target. United had a strong claim for a penalty kick turned down too, but United were out, and Pompey went on to take the FA Cup at Wembley, beating Cardiff City 1-0, for the first time since 1939. It was a fitting reward for the likeable but harassed Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager.
At the foot of the table Derby County finished last with a new record low points total and were promptly relegated, as forecast here, to be accompanied by the unfortunate Birmingham City, who paid the price for boardroom turbulence, another correct forecast. The third relegated club were Reading who suffered from "difficult second album syndrome", and were sent back to the Championship after struggling in their second year. Steve Coppell promptly pledged his future to the club for next term, but paid the price for not strengthening his team in January.
Three out of five correct forecasts for me this season and that will do nicely thank you. Do look out for my review of the 2008/2009 season posted toward the end of July. United were a handsome 8/1 at the outset of the campaign and you can still get a free £25 bet at betfair.com by entering the code 6CHE3VPWJ when prompted
Ten England internationals started the Champions League Final. Add to that United's reserve goalkeeper Foster and they would make a very strong team: Foster, Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole A, Carrick, Hargreaves, Lampard, Scholes, Rooney, Cole J.
All the more ludicrous then that England failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships this summer, much to the chagrin of their legions of fans who will sit back and sip a beer and watch the games and try and pick a winner. My choice? Italy or France, though with little conviction.
England's abject failure was down to one thing, and that was poor management. The newly installed manager, Fabio Capello, appointed on huge bucks, will be under great pressure straight away to get England to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa, and that will be no easy task. One good thing to report though, the English players will be well rested for next season's long and arduous campaign after having the summer off.
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