Neil

£40 on Chelsea to lift the trophy, to cover my Benfica bet. £5 on Lampard to score first for Chelsea

My luck recently has been zero. Laying my Benfica 10/1 shot for the Europa League. Can get 5/6 on Chelsea to lift the trophy - generous IMO.

Chelsea's run to the final has been bloody obscene. An easy tie each round (yes, no easy games blah blah blah but they've had one of the easiest ties they could have had relatively each round), and now when they're coming up against a genuinely quality side in Benfica, they're playing them at the best time possible after Benfica arguably lost the league at their closest rivals last weekend in the last minute.

He's obviously not very good but he's just bossed the FA Cup final against some of the best players in the league and outshining pretty much everyone else on the pitch? The McClean comparisons are also lazy. McManaman has shown the ability to beat his man, signalling an immediate upgrade on McClean. He'll of course get the English treatment of being overhyped and his ability exaggerated, but there's no doubt he's got plenty of talent.

As an aside, albeit it's probably already been discussed, I don't like the idea that winning the FA Cup has been a massive distraction in Wigan staying up, and is in some way to "blame" for them going down. Tonight could be an isolated example where sheer fitness levels were impacted, but the reason Wigan went down is because they've been too bad for too long.

This sums up Moyes' main deficiency FWIW. Being hard to beat gets you so far. Winning games gets you further.

It would be bloody hilarious if they did get it, mind. Can't see Sunderland getting anything at Spurs.

Very interesting read.

As much as it would be very amusing, I can't see anything other than an Arsenal win tonight. They desperately need a win themselves and I can't see any way they aren't getting it.

Slow motion replay.

Are NUFC really any different? Your immediate objective may be to survive, but you know your team can punch well above mid-table mediocrity. You did last year and you will again very soon.

Not could. He will be.

Although I hope not, I think Coutinho could be one of the stars of the Premier League next season.

Redknapp just absolving himself of all blame. Pardew must be proud.

Mr Splendid! has done football commentary for yoinks now but it's impossible not to think of him exclaiming Sergeant Bash's flame-throwing virtues.

Had my Howson that going in.

How, son, that was a great goal.

http://i.imgur.com/q5tvd.gif Jesus. :lol: I don't know why, how or what, but it's funny.

He so emphatically tried to kick that as well. :lol: The ultimate "I got this... oh, fuck."

Foster. :lol:

I think Wigan were hoping one of Norwich or Newcastle didn't win today. As it is, they're virtually down IMO. They need a win at Arsenal which I can't see whatsoever. If Arsenal had nowt to play for, perhaps they'd have a chance. They'll get beat.

The most dangerous finisher in football. Took Best out for a month or so didn't it. The start of Harper's heel turn. Just get this image of him bouncing off the advertising hoarding at separate ends of the pitch before delivering a powerful People's Elbow to himself, somehow. Shola in goal.

Looking forward to MotD for once. Might actually get some vaguely interesting analysis for once - from Laudrup and even maybe Mackay. Anyone else feel like it's the end of the season today?

I wouldn't care too much about that.