Fastest hattrick in Premier League History
In the end, the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season wasn’t all about Steven Gerrard, as Sadio Mane scored the fastest hattrick in Premier League history. ll gSadio Mane scored the fastest hattrick in EPL 2015/2016 which wio to history since its the fastest hattrick in Premier League History.
Defeats for Newcastle and Hull means that the relegation dog fight will go down to the final day. Arsenal effectively secured 3rd, whilst Leicester’s great escape was confirmed with a point away at Sunderland.
Here’s five things we learnt from the weekend.
The result didn’t matter, as Gerrard said farewell to the fans
Steven Gerrard’s last home game for Liverpool Football Club wasn’t the fairytale ending he and the fans wanted, as the Reds lost to Crystal Palace. A Gerrard winner in front of the Kop wasn’t to be, as Palace out played Liverpool on the day.
In some ways, it summed up an unhappy last couple of years at Liverpool for Gerrard, after heartbreakingly losing the title last season, and finishing a disappointing 5th this time around.
But Saturday was Gerrard’s day, regardless of the result. The home fans were even chanting their hero’s name just after Glenn Murray made it 3-1 in added time.
There’s not much that hasn’t already been said, but Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish will surely stand alone as immortals at Anfield. Both exceptional players, but both having made an indelible mark on their club, and the city of Liverpool.
As Gerrard seeks pastures new, next season is pivotal for manager Brendan Rodgers, as he copes without the presence of a club legend.
All records are there to be broken
Many thought Robbie Fowler’s hatrick in 4 minutes 33 seconds would never be beaten. But it was this weekend, by Southampton winger Sadio Mane, and not just beaten by a few seconds, beaten by over a minute and a half. Mane incredibly achieved the feat inside 3 minutes, 2 minutes 56 seconds to be precise.
He took his goals brilliantly, but that was thanks in part to Aston Villa’s hapless defending, and the endeavour of teammate Shane Long, who assisted two.
Mane’s first two goals were scored into an empty net, but he certainly earnt his strokes of luck. His hatrick goal was a much tougher finish from 20 yards, although Shay Given will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out. The Senegal international was a man possessed, and you could see him brimming with confidence.
After stuttering in recent weeks, it was a fabulous 6-1 win for the Saints, who rounded off their last home game of the season in style.
Van Gaal conceded it’ll be difficult to keep De Gea
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal dropped the biggest hint yet that his star goalkeeper David de Gea may leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid this summer. Spanish sport newspaper Marca reported last week that de Gea to the Bernabeu was a ‘done deal.’ After United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal yesterday, van Gaal said this in a Match of the Day interview:
“I cannot reassure fans [that he will stay]. It is a long process. He has to choose, and it is not easy to choose between two big clubs. He is Spanish, and his girlfriend is also Spanish so we would be very happy when he stays.”
“And you believe he will?” asked interviewer Steve Wilson.
“You never know,” replied van Gaal.
United fans will hope yesterday wasn’t the last time they see de Gea between the sticks at Old Trafford.
Hart proves he’s a world class goalkeeper
It was ironic that the BBC’s save of the season vote was published just before we saw potentially the best of the lot from Joe Hart. Manchester City were 3-2 up against Swansea, when Federico Fernandez thought he’d levelled, but for a stunning stop from the England number one.
The ball looked destined for the top corner, before Hart sprung high, and somehow clawed the ball over the bar. He then pulled off another exceptional save from Bafetimbi Gomis late on.
A lot of attention has gone to David de Gea and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois this season, and rightly so, but Hart has proved he can produce crucial saves at crucial times to dig his team out of trouble.
Hull & Newcastle firmly in mire; Sunderland not out of it
Newcastle missed a golden chance to ensure safety, by losing again, this time to already relegated QPR. A wonder goal from Leroy Fer won it for Rangers, but Newcastle were toothless in their attempts to get back into the game.
They will though be breathing a sigh of relief that Hull lost 2-0 at Tottenham, but had the Tigers taken their chances, the result could have been a whole lot different. Many are surprised to see Hull in this position, after spending £40 million over the season. But simply, their lack of goals have cost them dearly.
Sunderland still have work to do, but they have that game in hand on Wednesday, away to Arsenal.
The final day sees Newcastle host West Ham, Sunderland travel to Chelsea, whilst Hull are at home to Manchester United, Steve Bruce having never beaten his former club as a manager.
By Joseph Richardson @Jj147Joseph
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