English Premier League Power Rankings: Week 32
This week, the Premier League saw a good amount of draws, a big win by the two title contenders and an emotional goal that sent Arsenal's title hopes packing.
Four draws occurred this weekend and they mostly involved teams in the relegation battle as Blackpool, Wolves and West Brom were able to steal points from their opponents.
Manchester United needed a late Chicharito goal and Chelsea saw Fernando Torres score his first goal as the two teams continue their collision course for May 8th at Old Trafford.
The best moment of the week went to Tamir Cohen, son of the late Avi Cohen, as he scored his first goal since his father's death for Bolton as they defeated Arsenal.
20. West Ham (19)
1 of 20
West Ham stayed buried in last place in the league table as they were defeated 3-0 by Chelsea on Saturday.
With only four games left, it is becoming more likely that the Hammers will be playing in the Championship next season.
To try and reverse their fate, Avram Grant and company will have to start gaining points in every game including a tough trip to face Manchester City this Sunday.
19. Blackburn (16)
2 of 20
Blackburn fell 1-0 at home to Manchester City on Monday.
Rovers have now failed to win a game in 10 matches and are only one point above the relegation zone as they sit 16th with 35 points.
18. Wigan (14)
3 of 20
Wigan were able to manage two goals against Sunderland but they gave up four and fell back in the relegation zone with the loss.
Mohamed Diame and Franco di Santo did contribute goals but due to Blackpool's draw, the Latics fell back a spot into 18th place.
The Latics will host a strong Everton side on Saturday at the DW Stadium.
17. Birmingham (12)
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Birmingham were thrashed by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday as they fell 5-0.
The loss may not affect the Blues' chance at survival as they are at 38 points, two away from the supposed magic number of 40 to stay up.
The Blues can solidify their place in the Premier League next season if they beat Wolves on Sunday.
16. Blackpool (20)
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DJ Campbell's 32nd-minute equalizer gave Blackpool a well-needed point that took the club out of the relegation zone for the moment.
The win was the first for the club since they took down Tottenham in late February.
The Tangerine fight for survival continues at home versus Stoke on Saturday.
15. Wolverhampton (17)
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Steven Fletcher's 22nd-minute opener gave Wolves a lead over Fulham that they were unable to hold onto on Saturday.
The final result was a 1-1 draw that kept the club in 19th place and then fell to Stoke in midweek to halt their momentum.
As desperate times now approach, wins are needed to stay up in the Premier League—not draws and especially not losses for Mick McCarthy and Company.
14. West Brom (13)
7 of 20
A superb goal from Simon Cox in the 81st minute gave West Brom a 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
Peter Odemwingie scored his 13th goal of the season in the fifth minute to give the Baggies an early lead—that was given up to Spurs—before Cox saved the point.
The draw did put the Baggies at the magical number of 40 points, so they should be clear of relegation but it will not hurt Roy Hodgson's club if they can get points out of their last four games to be safe.
13. Newcastle (15)
8 of 20
Newcastle earned a draw at Bloomfield Road against Blackpool on Saturday.
Peter Lovenkrands scored in the 17th minute for the Magpies before they gave a first-half equalizer in the 1-1 draw.
The 11th-place club will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday.
12. Sunderland (18)
9 of 20
Sunderland finally ended their nine-game losing streak as they took down Wigan 4-2 on Saturday.
Jordan Henderson scored a double and Asamoah Gyan and Stephane Sessegnon both scored once.
The win boosted the Black Cats up to a comfortable 12th-place slot ahead of their match with Fulham on Saturday.
11. Aston Villa (10)
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Darren Bent's 43rd-minute equalizer was enough for the Villains to earn a draw at home against Stoke on Saturday.
Villa, now in 13th place, will take on the team right below them in table, West Brom, on the road at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
10. Fulham (9)
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Fulham were only able to draw away at Wolves on Saturday, but came back on Wednesday with a dominant 3-0 win over Bolton.
Clint Dempsey's two goals plus one from Brede Hangeland gave the Cottagers a comfortable win to put the club four points behind Bolton for eighth in the table.
The only thing that Mark Hughes and company should be concerned about now is finishing in the top half of the table and trying to beat out Bolton for eighth.
9. Arsenal (7)
12 of 20
Arsenal's title hopes were shockingly put to an end by Bolton on Sunday.
A late winner by Bolton's Tamir Cohen handed the Gunners their sixth and most hurtful loss of the season.
Now sitting nine points back of first place, the Gunners must try and recover second place from Chelsea who are three points ahead of Arsene Wenger and Company right now.
8. Tottenham (6)
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Spurs went down early to West Brom on Saturday, then came back to take the lead, but failed to hold onto the lead and ended up with a disappointing draw.
The draw dropped Spurs to four points behind Manchester City for fourth place and Harry Redknapp's club will have to get back on track at Stamford Bridge as they face Chelsea in a London derby match on Saturday.
7. Bolton (11)
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Tamir Cohen scored an emotional winner for Bolton at the end of their game with Arsenal on Sunday.
Cohen's father, Avi, was killed in a motorcycle accident in December and it was the first goal Tamir scored after his father's death.
Bolton could not carry their momentum into Craven Cottage on Wednesday as they were shut out by Fulham.
6. Everton (2)
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Everton's trip to Old Trafford was not as successful as they had wanted it to be on Saturday.
A late Chicharito goal defeated the Toffees as their chase for sixth place was all but lost, as they are now five points behind rivals Liverpool.
Next up for David Moyes and Company is a trip to Wigan on Saturday for what should be a easy three points if they do not look ahead to their match with Manchester City on May 7th.
5. Stoke (5)
16 of 20
Stoke lost their lead to Aston Villa on Saturday and ended with a 1-1 draw while on Tuesday, the Potters never looked back once they took the lead.
Kenwyne Jones, Ryan Shawcross and Jermaine Pennant all scored in the 3-0 win over Wolves and all of a sudden, Stoke is scoring goals at will.
Tony Pulis will lead his club to Bloomfield Road on Saturday as they face Blackpool.
4. Liverpool (8)
17 of 20
Liverpool were on the winning side of a 5-0 bashing of Birmingham on Saturday.
Maxi Rodriguez recorded a hat trick, while Joe Cole and Dirk Kuyt added to the five-goal tally as well.
The Reds are now only three points behind Tottenham for fifth place and with the way the club has been playing lately, do not be too shocked if they challenge Spurs for the Europa League position.
3. Manchester City (3)
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Edin Dzeko scored his first goal for Manchester City in the 75th minute on Monday to defeat Blackburn.
City will look to expand their four-point lead on Tottenham for the final Champions League spot at home against West Ham on Sunday.
2. Manchester United (4)
19 of 20
Chicharito's 84th-minute strike gave United a huge 1-0 win at home over Everton.
The win puts the Red Devils six points ahead of Chelsea with four games to go as they enter an important stretch where they take on Arsenal on Sunday, Schalke in the Champions League on Wednesday and the Chelsea on May 8th.
1. Chelsea (1)
20 of 20
The Fernando Torres goal drought finally ended as the Spaniard found the net in the 84th minute of the Blues' 3-0 win over West Ham.
Frank Lampard and Flourent Malouda also had goals in the game that saw the club expand their lead on Arsenal to three points for second place.
Before facing Manchester United next Sunday, the Blues will host Tottenham on Saturday.
