Further to my recent post
https://usedtobecroquetman.blogspot.com/2025/05/theyve-given-up.html
the big match took place last night. The 17th place team in the Premier League beat the one placed 16th, won a big trophy and gained entry to the Champions League next season.
I can see this being a new way to play in the League. Crystal Palace gained entry to next season's Europa League by winning the FA Cup last weekend. Get ready for them sending out their reserves to play next season's Premier League, focus all their efforts on winning the Europa League and being in the Champions League the following season.
Why do it that way? This season the team in 17th, currently with 38 points, got into next season's Champions League. The team likely to finish 2nd, currently with 71 points, got into next season's Champions League. Why bother?
I suppose the answer is that there is considerable jeopardy in that approach. 38 points might get you relegated, for a start. Or you could lose the Final to a flukey goal, as happened last night. I'll let you know if it catches on.
For the record, for those readers who know little about football, a flukey goal is worth exactly the same as a beautiful goal.
Don’t understand how kicking a ball though two posts is beautiful or ‘flukey’ which sound like a disease. Anyway I’ve screen shot this post and will sent it to my friends Richard and Elizabeth and also to Mary (who rather spoilt a long planned weekend in Whitstable last time they reached the final by insisting we all watched it). They are all Palace fanatics. If there’s a response I’ll let you know.
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