Liverpool Crowned Champions, Ipswich Relegated & Can Ange Save Himself?

Matchday 34 of the EPL season is in the books, and we’re here to review it, identify the big takeaways, and examine the markets.

Matchday 34 of the EPL season spans over a week after Manchester City beat Aston Villa 2-1 last Wednesday, before Arsenal and Crystal Palace played out 2-2 draw on Thursday.

Chelsea kicked off the weekend proper with a 1-0 win over Everton. It gives their Champions League hopes a significant boost as they sit 5th, ahead of Nottingham Forest and their game in hand at 6th.

Eddie Howe returned to the sideline to watch Newcastle relegate Ipswich with a 3-0 win. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers did the same to already-relegated Leicester City.

Late goals could yet prove pivotal in how the EPL table shapes up.

Brighton & Hove Albion scored two in three minutes (89’ & 92’) to beat West Ham 3-2. Ryan Sessengnon’s 92nd-minute goal fired Fulham past Southampton 2-1, too. The 24-year-old is finally starting to realise his potential after spending an extended period on the field following an injury-riddled spell with Tottenham.

Less stunning, Newcastle thrashed Ipswich 3-0 to confirm their relegation to the Championship next season.

While Bournemouth v Manchester United made for an interesting match up, given the two teams’ form and positioning, their 1-1 draw barely rates a mention on a day Liverpool were officially confirmed as Premier League champions.

3 Takeaways From Matchday 34

Liverpool Are Champions

Arne Slot has completed one of the great managerial EPL seasons for Liverpool to be crowned champions following their hammering of Tottenham.

It completes a debut EPL season for Slot who had never coached in the Top 5 league previously. He did it while taking on Jurgen Klopp’s side, making just one low-key transfer. Importantly, he took what he was given and made it work without trying to overhaul the club on his arrival.

“It feels great. I don’t think I want to say a lot. The only thing now is to send my appreciation to Jurgen Klopp.

“So many moments in the season the two of us have had contact. I think he showed last season what a wonderful human being he is by introducing me.

“But what mattered most is the team he left behind that was able to win the trophy.” -Arne Slot

Little was expected of Slot when he took over Liverpool following so much success…

However, Liverpool are still on track to clear 90 points should they find the motivation to finish the season as strong as they started it. Who knows how they will turn up to Stamford Bridge following a week of celebrations. As it stands, they’re significant $3.50 outsiders.

As if the celebrations won’t be big enough, Liverpool have drawn level with Manchester United on 20 league titles. Anfield is a lot more likely to host celebrations of a 21st before Old Trafford, too.

Ipswich Are Relegated

We’ve just seen the worst three teams in EPL history.

Following their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, Ipswich have officially been relegated.

They join Southampton and Leicester City as the teams dropping down to the Championship. In doing so after Matchday 34, it’s the first time in EPL history that all relegation’s have been locked in with four games to go. It’s only the second time all three have happened before May since 2005-06 and the first time all three promoted teams will go straight back down in consecutive seasons.

Ipswich provided some excitement throughout the campaign. Their effort and willingness to throw caution to the wind made them worth watching, unlike the other two.

“They have seen the group has given everything and competed in so many games. At the end, we have fallen short, but it’s not for lack of effort. They have been fantastic and we really appreciate the support.” – Kieran McKenna

Ipswich are $5 outsiders to beat Everton on Matchday 35 at Goodison Park.

Can A Europa League Win Save Ange?

There is losing to finish a poor season, and there is losing 5-1 to Liverpool.

There is losing while adjusting to a new style and dealing with injuries, and there is losing 19 games with little improvement to show for it.

Only the three relegated sides have lost more games than Tottenham this season.

Ange Postecoglou is under pressure to keep his job. To be so low on the EPL table after finishing fifth last season won’t be accepted by the fan base despite the injuries he has dealt with throughout the season.

He’s been stubborn in his approach and it hasn’t served him well given the injury crisis he has faced.

But their latest defeat largely sums up Tottenham. Postecoglou made eight changes to his side with a Europa League fixture against Bodo/Glimt in mind. You’d think a squad that has seen so much rotation might be able to link up better than what we saw on the day. He limped through one game and sacrificed a result to prepare for another that may or may not be enough to save Tottenham’s season.

While a Europa League victory would likely be met with excitement, it won’t be long before the questions around Postecoglou reignite. A trophy won’t wipe a horror EPL season from the memory of the fans and decision makers.

Can a trophy save him? Possibly.

Should it? Probably not.

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