Premier League, Week 36: Stoke, Sunderland fight to get out of relegation battle

Jonathan Walters got Stoke off to a brilliant start by converting on a corner in the 9th minute, taking advantage of a rebound opportunity. He made good contact with a header off a beautiful delivery by Charlie Adam, but his effort hit a Sunderland player. Some good fortune caused the ball to bounce back to his feet, and he put his follow-up effort into the roof of the net.

• How the title was won in Turin

A couple of weeks ago it looked like Stoke could be dragged into the bottom three, too, though after stringing together two consecutive victories, their advantage over the relegation zone should be enough for them to survive the drop.

Sunderland injuries and suspensions

Despite United’s sluggish start, the visitors could not make the most of it, Oscar going closest after a fine run saw him fire off a decent effort which Lindegaard tipped onto the post. After an initially lively opening, however, chances proved to be at a premium, although United picked themselves up towards the end of the first 45 minutes to threaten the Chelsea goal.

It hadn’t looked like coming, but with just three minutes to go, Chelsea found a way through. United felt that Ramires had fouled Wayne Rooney in the build-up, but play was waved on and eventually Juan Mata finished the move, firing home via Oscar’s cutback to stun United.

Everton began to smell blood and pour forward, but the result was that Liverpool enjoyed the better opportunities in taking advantage of the space at the back as the Toffees wasted the ball. The Everton defence went AWOL to allow Sturridge to pick out Gerrard with a through ball, but rather than hit it first time, the veteran midfielder took it wide to round Tim Howard, with his attempted cutback-cum-shot easily dealt with by the returning Distin.

Everton had a late chance as Anichebe cut in from the right and let fly at goal, and saw his effort take a deflection and almost loop over Pepe Reina, but the goalkeeper managed to deal with it at the expense of a corner, although the visitors couldn’t fashion anything from it. In the end, Everton had to settle for a point - a creditable result, but a controversial and no doubt bitter one following their disallowed goal.

Out: Joe Allen (shoulder), Martin Kelly (knee), Luis Suárez (suspended) In doubt: Jon Flanagan (knee)

Everton injuries and suspensions

Arsenal and Tottenham both won on Saturday, putting the onus on Chelsea to match it in Manchester. The Blues are two points back of the Gunners with two matches in hand, but are level with Spurs and would really like a cushion heading into Wednesday’s colossal tilt between the two at Stamford Bridge.

Match date/time: Sunday, May 5; 11 a.m. ET

That was all the visitors needed, and they knew it. I mean, sure, Walcott had a couple of chances to add to the lead, but the 18 seconds it took for him to score constituted the only part of the match that was even remotely compelling. Yeah, Arsenal didn’t look good, but they were playing against QPR in a game that they’d pretty much won in the first minute. With the hosts incapable of mounting a real attack*, it’s no wonder that the Gunners were content to have the ball.

Southampton were the better side throughout the first half and were unfortunate not to have gone into the break ahead. Spurs’ line was playing very high, and the visitors were taking advantage of that by bombing forward on the break. Nathaniel Clyne should have taken advantage of that in the 11th minute, running clear of the back line after a great pass from Ricky Lambert, but his shot ended up fizzing just wide.

We all knew what was coming when the second half remained scoreless 86 minutes in. Gareth Bale could easily have won a penalty when he was kicked by Jack Cork, but the FWA and PFA player of the year stepped up to win the match despite his frustration at Mark Clattenburg. Cutting in from the right and with defenders shying away from the run, Bale took aim at the bottom corner and let fly. His shot beat Artur Boruc and found the back of the net to give Tottenham new life in the Champions League race and put Southampton back into real trouble.

The lead would once again be short lived.

Maloney was back terrorizing West Brom on the left wing in the 80th minute dribbling to the end line before centering to Callum McManaman. The striker took advantage of more poor marking by the Baggies defenders and directed the ball past Foster and put Wigan ahead for good at 3-2.

The rest of the game saw few chances, until West Ham almost clinched a late winner, with Andy Carroll towering above Rob Elliot from a free-kick but hitting the post, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions

Out: Chris Brunt (knee), Goran Popov (calf), Marc-Antoine Fortuné (suspended) In doubt: James Morrison (groin)

The Gunners are still chasing qualification for the Champions League, and maintain a two-point buffer over North London rivals Tottenham inside the top four -- albeit with Spurs having a game in hand. Arsène Wenger’s side haven’t lost in their last eight games in all competitions, and will be expecting a win to maintain their slim advantage here.

Out: Luke Young (ribs/hip), Shaun Wright-Phillips (ankle) In doubt: Andros Townsend (hamstring)

Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions

Southampton injuries and suspensions

Every year, as soon as the first teams are relegated, I hope beyond hope that one of them will do something really outrageous. It could be funny, it could be obnoxious, whatever. Just something interesting. And yet, every season, none of them do. I’m hoping Reading breaks the spell, but I’m not holding my breath. Psh. “Pride” and “professionalism.” Who needs ‘em.

Pick: Fulham, 2-1