| Back of the Net  By
Ian McCullough
Easter is traditionally the time of the season where titles are decided,
relegations confirmed and seasons often made or broken and 2006 was no
exception to the rule.
Chelsea, thanks to Roman Ambramovich’s millions and Jose Mourinho’s
pragmatic style of play more than any outstanding individual, need just
a point to secure a second successive Premiership crown after their 3-0
win over Everton.
Sunderland’s inevitable return to the Championship was confirmed
on Good Friday after one of their best displays of the season as they
claimed a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
West Brom, Portsmouth or Birmingham will join them in what will be a nail-biting
climax at the wrong end of the table.
Robbie Keane has been in the best form of his career and his strike for
Tottenham on Easter Saturday made it 15 for the campaign and 11 goals
in his last 12 games. However he was unable to help his side to victory
against a Wayne Rooney-inspired Manchester United on Easter Monday as
Spurs’ Champions League hopes took a nosedive after a 2-1 defeat.
In the Championship on Easter Monday Premiership-bound Reading took their
points tally past the 100 mark and almost inevitably Kevin Doyle was on
target in the Royals’ 3-1 victory over Stoke.
It was the 16th time the Wexford man has hit the net in a dream debut
season in English football and he will be joined in the top flight by
Irish No 2 keeper Paddy Kenny who helped Sheffield United end their 13-year
sojourn in the second tier after Leeds failed to beat Reading.
The 27-year-old is facing an FA charge for inciting the Hull City supporters
in the recent Yorkshire derby between the sides.
However he has received some unexpected support from the Hull supporters
who have written to the FA to defend Kenny saying that he was only enjoying
some good-natured banter.
League One is the most fascinating out of all the divisions with promotion
and relegation yet to be confirmed and there is an Irish influence in
the teams sitting in the top three positions.
London Irishman Kevin Maher has spent 10 years at leaders Southend after
leaving Tottenham and his form at the heart of the Shrimpers midfield
has been excellent this season but his own goal on Easter Monday at Barnsley
could have been costly before the prolific Freddie Eastwood pounced to
grab a 2-2 draw.
Second-placed Colchester kept alive their automatic hopes with a 1-0 win
on Monday over Tranmere but their 2-2 draw with Chesterfield on Saturday
was inspired by on-loan Spurs man Mark Yeates. The Dubliner reduced the
arrears to 2-1 before setting up the equaliser for Chris Iwelumo.
Jay Tabb and Kevin O’Connor have been key men for third-placed Brentford
but they were unable to inspire the Bees over Easter as they drew with
Rotherham and Blackpool to dent their automatic hopes.
Barnsley have hit form at the right time and Stephen McPhail, a player
far too gifted to be in this division, was on target in their 3-0 win
over Oldham on Saturday.
There were no Irish scorers in League Two but Peter Murphy has been a
key man for Carlisle this season. The Dubliner helped the Cumbrians to
a 2-1 win over Notts County and his side need just a point from their
last two games to secure promotion.
|
