Final day of the season. The most chaotic, brilliant, gut-wrenching Sunday in football. Every year it delivers something and every year you tell yourself you won't get emotionally invested in games that don't involve your club. Then 4pm hits and you're watching five streams at once like a man possessed.
Brighton are the story that's grabbed everyone this week. They need to beat Manchester United at the Amex to secure European football for only the second time in their history, and honestly, the stars are aligning for them. United have been absolutely shocking away from home all season under Michael Carrick, losing three of their last four visits to Brighton in the league. A 4-0 drubbing back in 2022 still fresh in the memory. United have nothing to play for, nothing to fight for, nothing to protect. That is either comforting or terrifying depending on your perspective because a team with no pressure can be either liberated or completely disinterested.
Danny Welbeck is the one to watch here. Thirteen league goals this season which is remarkable for a man of his age and experience. He is like Rocky Balboa at this point, everyone keeps counting him out and he keeps getting back up. He even has a shot at finishing as the highest scoring English player in the division if he can find the net on Sunday. Ollie Watkins leads that particular race on fourteen goals and knowing Ollie he will do something typical to make sure he keeps that title.
Then there is Arsenal at Crystal Palace. Arsenal who were supposedly having their year. Arsenal who were eight points clear at Christmas. Arsenal who found a way, once again, to make it uncomfortable when it should have been a coronation. Crystal Palace have nothing to lose which makes them dangerous and Mikel Arteta will be sweating regardless of what he tells the cameras.
The survival and European battles lower down the table add even more spice. West Ham fans apparently cheering for whatever keeps them up while simultaneously hoping their rivals drop off. Glorious chaos. Pure football. Exactly why the final day is untouchable as a concept.
Let me know your thoughts.