Everton and Manchester City also close in on title

by Mark Chang for PMF News

Bradford City manager Marcus Larsson has a lot to cheer about this week as his side finally clinched the 3rd division title on Saturday after a hard fought 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

City have been favourites for the title virtually all season and goals from Sylvain Wiltord and Eoin Jess finally secured the title for the away side, despite a fine display from Fulham.

Bradford certainly didn't have everything their own way though and when John Carew equalised for the home side with just 5 minutes remaining, the travelling supporters were forced to put their title celebrations on hold. City held on to pick up the point and the title though, much to the delight of their supporters who chanted Larsson's name after the final whistle.

City can now look forward to 2nd division football next season, despite still having two league matches left to play, although Larsson will surely be looking for his side to underline their dominance in division three this season by amassing as many points as possible at the end of the season, not to mention the small fact that they are yet to be beaten in the league this season.

Bradford City's point at the weekend means that they become the first club in PMF to pick up a title and a trophy. Although Everton have virtually secured the 2nd division title after their 4-1 drumming of West Ham on Saturday. A goal from Deisler and a hatrick from Viduka helped Everton to an easy victory at Goodison Park and left the Merseyside club virtually assured of the 2nd division title, barring a disaster in their last two matches.

Only Middlesbrough can catch Everton now, although they would have to win both their remaining games convincingly and hope that Everton suffer two heavy defeats. A scenario which is unlikely.

Surprisingly though, Everton players and staff are already celebrating the 2nd division title despite the fact that there is still a narrow possibility that Middlesbrough could snatch the title from them on the last day of the season. Everton supporters will be praying that their players are not celebrating prematurely. Whatever happens though, the blue side of Merseyside are guaranteed 1st division football next season.

Manchester City also look likely to join Bradford City as PMF title winners after their 4-0 thrashing of Watford at Vicarage road this weekend. Matt Hansen's side have been almost unstoppable in the bottom division this season and they are almost certain to secure the 4th division title. Although Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City can all still mathematically catch the Maine Road side.

Three of the four PMF titles have still not been mathematically won, although only the top division remains wide open, as Liverpool and Newcastle United battle it out for the biggest prize of all.

Manchester United and Leeds United finally both saw their title hopes dashed at the weekend. The side from Old Trafford narrowly lost 3-2 to rival title chasers Newcastle, whilst Leeds surprisingly crashed 2-0 at home to relegation battlers Sunderland.

Manchester United can still mathematically capture the 1st division title, but it would take a virtual miracle for them to achieve that.

The destiny of the first ever PMF 1st division title is still far from being settled. There has been very little between Newcastle United and Liverpool this season, and neither side really has an easier title run in than the other. The matches between the two sides this season have seen two draws and 10 goals between them, underlining the fact that any of these two excellent sides could pick up the title.

It's fair to say that both these sides deserve to capture the first ever PMF title, Liverpool will be classed as slight favourites for the simple fact that they have a one point lead over Newcastle with just two games remaining, but both sides can still pick up the title. Unfortunately only one of them can.