Domestic European football has come to an end and what a season it has turned out to be. The latest trophy winners are Manchester City who have finally won the Champions League after they beat Inter Milan 1-0. Winning silverware means so much of course to any club and we have seen variations on that but for these players to win City's first ever European Cup it was an historic moment.
Of course after destroying two European heavyweights in Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, City came into the final as the 1.50 favourites and Inter could be had at 5.50. But the final didn't play out as one would have expected and Inter had clearly done their homework and harassed and closed down Pep Guardiola's side, breaking up their normal fluid play. City still looked the slicker and smarter side coming forward though and it took until the 68th minute for them to find a winner which came courtesy of a superb Rodri shot. This win also meant that the club had won the same treble that Manchester United had captured infamously back in 1999. There is no doubt just how fantastic this City side are and Guardiola has announced that he will remain at the club for at least the next two seasons.
Manchester City's top 3 key players from the final: Rodri, Ruben Dias, Ederson
Inter Milan's top 3 key players from the final: Dimarco, Brozovic, Martinez
Indeed all three Italian sides that made it to each European final lost, so while much news was made on Serie A's progress it has ended on a sour note. But history was made also in the Europa Conference League as West Ham beat Fiorentina 2-1 to emotionally claim their first major trophy in 43 years in what was finally a watershed moment that ended so many painful years for Hammers fans. In truth it was a poor game but the Italians dictated the pace well and seemed like the team who had the technical quality. And yet West Ham limited their chances and took their own more clinically. Jarrod Bowen also scored the winner just at the right time in the 89th minute and that set off a lot of emotions in the stands.
Alongside the famous win of course was the fact that David Moyes finally won a major piece of silverware and after managing for over 25 years in the game it was hard not to feel happy for a beaming Moyes when he received his gold winning medal. Declan Rice also put another great shift in what was his last game for the Hammers, and the fans will have memories that will certainly last a lifetime.
West Ham's top 3 key players from the final: Paqueta, Bowen, Rice
Fiorentina's top 3 key players from the final: Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Milenkovic
The other European final was the Europa League in which Sevilla yet again came out as champions as they beat Roma. The game was a fairly dull affair that finished 1-1. The tension was raised by the penalty shoot out and Roma came so close to winning back to back European trophies and yet another one for Jose Mourinho but it wasn't to be. Indeed, Mourinho did not cover himself in glory when he was taped having a go at the English referee Anthony Taylor in the private VIP car park after the game in the stadium. Mourinho of course has been known to go overboard and lose the plot before but doing it yet again in his 60s just seemed very wrong and a deserved UEFA charge should follow.
Back to the Premier League and Everton who only just survived in the league for the second successive year continue to be under pressure. Much of the board have left their roles and the long standing Bill Kenwright is also expected to leave very soon too. This could signal that fresh investment is on its way and that would be good news as the club try to complete financing for their new stadium which is due to open at the beginning of the 2024/25 season. But FA charges are looming over the club also because of FFP during the pandemic where it seemed that the club lost three times as much as other clubs. The worry for the Toffees is that they could have a transfer ban implemented and or a points deduction for next season, either would be a huge blow to them. The news hasn't got any better this week as it has emerged that former coach Carlo Ancelotti has sued the club, this is possibly for rights and marketing funds although full details have yet to emerge. What looks certain is that the immediate stability of the club looks on choppy waters and while they did stay up problems are persisting at the famous club.
Finally let's take a look at the latest odds to win the Premier League and relegation for next season.
To win the Premier League: Manchester City 1.57, Liverpool 9.00, Arsenal 9.00, Manchester United 11.00, Chelsea 17.00
To be relegated: Luton 1.44, Sheffield United 1.91, Bournemouth 3.00, Burnley 3.25, Nottingham Forest 3.75
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