Toffees facing a sour taste on final day

FOR those of you just back from Mars, the big issue of the English Premier League race was settled on Sunday with Arsenal putting on a show worthy of champions amidst a carnival atmosphere at Highbury.

The game was such a foregone conclusion from the early stages that the only question was whether or not the Wharf coverage would extend long enough beyond the final whistle to include the trophy presentation and some of the celebrations.

With normal matches during the season Wharf cut away to their studio team almost immediately after the match. This time they didn't, sensibly letting things run a little to include the post-match festivities.

That match had a secondary impact, too, namely on the losing team Everton whose future in the top flight will be decided in final round of games.

The Merseysiders face Coventry (live on Wharf), opponents who so often find themselves on the other side of last-day Houdini acts.

The other relegation candidates Bolton visit Chelsea who will probably have their minds on the European Cup-Winners' Cup final.