Published: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Come on Arsenal. Enough. I’m delighted you won it. I had a small wobble in my belief you would, driven by colleagues at beINSPORTS, (yes, you Mssrs Eaton and Howie) but it was a deserved win.
I’ll remind you again - you knew I would - I predicted it, so seeing The Gunners get it done was even sweeter.
It must feel wonderful. They’d been so close in the previous three seasons missing out again would’ve been unbearable. They were due.
But….we’ve all seen enough of your celebrations now. You’re morphing from the Invincibles into the Unbearables. Watching the line-up of celebrity fans parading at Selhurst Park was embarrassing.
I also think the fun is a little premature. I was amazed to read there was a title party in London’s Mayfair on Sunday evening. Why? Haven’t they got an important date v Paris this weekend?
Arsenal have made a bit of a habit of over-celebrating down the years. The best example of that I can give you was when they went into overdrive having completed a comeback win v Fulham a couple of seasons ago. Do you remember? On that day - in October - they were even posting shots from the dressing room.
There have been so many other occasions - and every time it’s bitten them.
They need laser focus for the game this weekend, but they’re behaving like the season is over. It shouldn’t have been, but it might be now.
And quickly on the celebrity fan I know there’s a huge temptation for headline showbiz acts to get involved, but the title win was fuck all to do with them. Stay out of the way.
I made a 24-hour 7000 mile round trip to watch Coventry get presented with the C’ship trophy because I simply wanted to be there. I was encouraged by family and friends to lean on people I knew so I could get close to the celebrations, but I didn’t want to.
It was nothing to do with me. I was chuffed to bits for Frank Lampard, Doug King and the boys and grateful for the moment they had given me to think about my old dad, who was with me at Highfield Road the last time it happened in 1967. I think I made the right call - not calls to be sure I was seen. Pathetic.
I write on Tuesday 26 May, 13 years to the day we lost Mum. She remains much missed by me and my three sisters.
The last day passed off without too much drama. I think we got largely what we were expecting, apart from Sunderland’s fantastic surge into 7th place. What a season they had. They serve as an inspiration to every club getting promoted into the PL.
I’m pleased for Brighton as well. They’ll play in Europe next season along with the Black Cats and Bournemouth (of course I realise Brighton are in a different competition. It’s the one English teams tend to win). Now we’ll see if there’s another level for Bournemouth Pipes.
Where was Wally David Sullivan when the final whistle went at West Ham’s taxpayers athletics bowl? Not in his seat that’s for sure. And has anyone heard Karen Brady apologise for her part in the Hammers downfall? Both were quick enough to take credit for the David Moyes inspired Conference win.
Well done Hull. Has there ever been a more unlikely C’ship play-off final win - from survival on goal difference the previous season to a Wembley win?
I still think the punishment meted out to Saints was too harsh. In the end it was both players and supporters who took the brunt of Spygate and it wasn’t their fault.
A much fairer punishment would’ve been a big fine and points deduction - applicable to the PL had they got up.
As much as I disagreed with the outcome, fair play to the EFL for their swift judgement though. As I’ve previously said, what a pity the committee that passed judgement on Saints didn’t hear the basis of the 135 charges against City. We’d have had a decision on that in a week. 😂
Sunday was a bit special for me and Andy as I’m sure you’ve heard? We fronted a PL football show for the last time - after 34 years. I can’t tell you how proud I am of that achievement - or the 41 years I’ve been on tv. The PL tally won’t ever be done again, that’s for sure. I’m grateful to so many who’ve helped down the years - not least a handful of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with at beINSPORTS.
We’ve got the CL final left - and then that’s it for traditional tv. I’ve decided not to get involved with the WC. It won’t be as good as the event was in Qatar and I don’t want to sully the memory. Infantino was right for a change when he spoke last week - what a pity the next 10 can’t be played in Qatar.
I’m not cutting ties with Qatar. I can’t. It’s home. I love the place. We’re at the end of the beginning. They think it’s all over……