Last-minute Heroics

Since I chose to write about sports, it's my job to bring everyone up to speed on the ending of the English Premier League and the exciting finish that just happened. First, some background.

For those who don't follow it, the EPL is the top league in England and is arguably the top soccer league in the world. Every year a champion is crowned and the three teams that finish worst in the league are dropped to the next highest league and the top teams from that league are promoted to the highest league. This gives teams incentive to play hard throughout the season. It also means that if Jordan had started his own recreational team while in England, theoretically he could lead that team all the way to the top league.

For the last game of the season, all games start simultaneously. This way, there can't be any backroom dealings between teams to alter the results of the games. The key game was Manchester City vs Queens Park Rangers (QPR). Manchester City was fighting with Manchester United for the championship. Picture the Oilers/Flames rivalry, except they are in the same city and the Flames had won championship after championship, but the Oilers hadn't won a championship in 44 years. If Man City wins, they are the champions. If they tie, Manchester United has to tie or lose their game. If Man City loses, Man U has to lose for Man. Meanwhile, QPR are fighting to avoid relegation down to the next lowest league; if they win, they're safe. If they tie or lose, they need another result to go their way to avoid relegation.

Man City scored first and appeared to be in control of their own destiny. Then QPR snuck a goal in to tie it just after halftime. QPR then had one of their players red carded (and he'll probably get a major suspension because after the red card he kicked an opponent) and it looked good for Man City, though they still needed a goal. Then, despite being a man down, QPR scored to take a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, Man U was winning their game. Entering into stoppage time, Man City was still down 2-1 despite attack after attack. Man U finished their game slightly earlier than Man City and they had won, so Man City needed two goals in stoppage time for the championship.

It happened.

Final score: Man City 3, QPR 2, giving Man City their first title in 44 years, or the equivalent of the Oilers winning the Stanley Cup at the expense of the Flames. QPR got the help they needed and thus avoided relegation. But TWO stoppage time goals? That's why I've said it before and I'll say it again: Don't leave until the game is over.

Here's a link to see the highlights for those who are interested.