Hull relegation confirmation shocker.

So the door finally shuts on the penultimate round of Premiership fixtures this season with only a few last loose ends to tie up. And pretty important loose ends at that I may add. Firstly who finish in fourth spot? And more importantly will Chelsea be able to win at home to Wigan to seal the title? Who knows. Bobby Zamora has turned himself from national joke to periphery England squad member so if nothing else we’ve learnt this year not to take anything for granted. Charles N’Zogbia could have a blinder and I’ll end up eating my words.

So what have we learnt this week?

1) That Roy Hodgson clearly deserves the manager of the year award. No debate. Three days after leading his Fulham side to the Europa League final thanks to a historic 2-1 win over Hamburg he led his team to their first home win over West Ham in 44 years. Which is pretty good. Especially with a squad as deep as a paddling pool and cobbled together from the four corners of Europe. What self respecting team would have Chris Baird in their team? Even Northern Ireland would think twice if they had other options. So many congratulations to you Mr Hodgson.

Fulham 3 – West Ham 2 (Highlights)

2) That if Arsene Wenger is going on a spending spree this Summer then half his squad are successfully playing their way out of the squad. The Sunday Mirror this weekend has linked Arsenal with all sorts of seasoned Premier League work horses; Joe Hart, Gary Cahill, Scott Parker, Jamie Milner and Kevin Doyle to name but five.

So you’d think with that sort of transfer tittle-tattle circling the club the likes of Fabianski, Silvestre and Diaby would pull their socks up, put in a shift and convince their gaffer they are keepers. Instead their performances against Blackburn underpinned another indifferent Arsenal display and pushed them to their third consecutive Premier League lose. Meaning that if they fuck up at Fulham Arsenal could even suffer the humiliation of finishing fourth. Fourth.

And the winning Blackburn goal came from another Fabianski flapper shocker (here). He’s for the chopping block.

Is Fabianski's Arsenal career Dunn?

3) That Liverpool’s failure this season could mark the start of a new world order. Spurs and Manchester City are both vying for the loose Champions League berth and with the funds they have at their disposal it’ll be doubtful that Liverpool, Villa or Everton will get a look at fifth, let alone fourth next year.

Both teams have made massive strides of late – Manchester City’s squad of elite mercenaries are impressively dismantling teams in gung ho fashion whilst Spurs have built a rock solid squad and have Gareth Bale in the locker. Who is looking like the seasons break out star from where we stand.

Thanks for making the Premier League interesting again Rafa. You’ll be missed.

4) That Chelsea have all but sewn up the title thanks to their 2-0 win over Liverpool. All Carlo Ancelotti’s men have to do now is beat Wigan in their last game and then to order an open top bus. Could Wigan pull the mother of last minute surprises and nick a precious point at the Bridge?  Stranger things have happened but if they do I’ll eat my shorts.

Liverpool 0 - Chelsea 2

5) That Victor Moses may be a World Cup long shot and playing for an unfashionable team but is nonetheless very good. There are a plethora of players making a late charge for a World Cup spot – particularly as back up on the troublesome left wing. Common consensus is that City’s Adam Johnson is ample of Fabio’s eye but spare a thought for little Jack Wilshire who has impressed of late and in particular for Victor Moses who put in another eye catching display for Wigan. Scoring the opener in their 2-2 draw with Hull. (here)

With the Nigerian team throwing the youngster admiring glances it might be worth giving the fleet footed winger a debut against Mexico later this month. It’s that or Stewart Downing. Which is a compelling argument.