Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao) – Liverpool loanee San Jose played tremendously well despite Athletic Bilbao finally succumbing to a 5-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. The task for Bilbao was made incredibly difficult after San Jose’s fellow defender Fernando Amorebieta was sent off for a deliberate handball after 20 minutes. It was debateable whether Amorebieta had prevented a goal scoring opportunity when his arm blocked a Gonzalo Higuain long range shot, but the referee gave the player his marching orders which meant Bilbao had to play the best part of 70 minutes with ten men. From the resulting penalty kick, Cristiano Ronaldo made the score 1-0 but the game wasn’t as plain sailing as the final score suggests. Just before half-time, after Iraizoz in Bilbao’s goal had made a string of saves at the other end to keep the scoreline to a single goal, Fran Yeste caught Madrid on the counter attack, bypassing three Real defenders before slotting the ball past Casillas. The goal set up a nervy second half with Real knowing a draw would hand Barcelona the title. San Jose was commanding at the back as Bilbao resisted the home team’s onslaught, and Yeste even had to chance to put the Basque side into the lead on the hour mark but he fired wide of the post. The deep defending took a lot of energy out of Bilbao though and 18 minutes from time they succumbed to the pressure. Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Marcelo sealed a flattering 5-1 victory to ensure the title race goes down to the last game of the season.
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Jay Spearing (Leicester City) – Spearing started once again but was unable to prevent Leicester City going down 1-0 in the first leg of their Championship Play-Off semi-final against Cardiff City at the Walkers Stadium. Despite the eventual score line, Leicester had many of the best chances of the game but they were unable to put them away in a tight encounter. One of the best chances of the first half came from good link up play between Bruno Berner and Spearing which put Richie Wellens through to score, but a last ditch tackle prevented the midfielder from making the most out of the chance. Just after half-time, Spearing had a snap shot from distance which went sailing over the bar, but the home side continued to press. It was an end to end sort of match and Cardiff took the lead on 77 minutes. Peter Whittingham’s free kick (shown below) was an absolute pearler which went in off the post. Leicester were not done in trying to recover their position though and Matty Fryatt went through one-on-one with the keeper but his initial attempt was saved by David Marshall, and the striker attempted to cross for Spearing but the delivery was too high and went for a goal kick. Leicester will have it all to do in return leg in Cardiff mid-week.
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Stephen Darby (Swindon Town) – Right back Darby started the crucial encounter against Millwall at the New Den but the Robins went down 3-2 meaning they will now have to settle for a Play-Off place. Swindon needed to beat Millwall and hope Leeds failed to win against Bristol Rovers to be promoted but neither score came off as Leeds beat Rovers 2-1 to send them up to the Championship. Millwall also had the possibility of getting automatic promotion but the result from Elland Road made this match academic. Darby will not be happy that the Robins conceded three goals, especially after Danny Ward had put the visitors into an early lead. A double from Steve Morison and an own goal from Gordon Greer put Millwall 3-1 up mid way through the second half, but the score line from Elland Road dampened the spirits of the home fans. Billy Paynter reduced the arrears but both sides knew they were heading for the Play-Offs. Darby was substituted for Kevin Amankwaah after 76 minutes but he will surely start the first leg of the Play-Off semi-final against Charlton Athletic.
Robbie Threlfall (Bradford City) – The season ended on a positive note for both Bradford and Liverpool loanee Threlfall as City defeated Crewe Alexandra 1-0 away from home. In a disappointing season that has seen the departure of Stuart McCall and the arrival of Peter Taylor as manager, the side could take some positives into next season after finishing 14th in the table. The victory made it 12 points from the last 5 games and they even did it without red hot striker Gareth Evans who had to go off injured after 31 minutes. His replacement Ryan Kendall though would score the deciding goal for the Bantams in the second half. Bradford should have already been 3 up by the time the goal came and Kendall fired a first time shot from the edge of the area to catch both the Crewe defence and the goalkeeper unawares. Threlfall will be delighted with another clean sheet playing at left back, and he will be relatively happy with his time at the Bantams despite some inconsistent performances. He will certainly have learned from the experience.
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