For many ‘modern-day’ fans, English football is all about the Premier League.
Most of them vehemently argue that Champions League qualification matters more than winning silverware. They’re misguided.
Liverpool fans can justifiably celebrate their club’s achievement of winning the league title this season. Top spot equates to the best team and all that.
However, their rivals have nothing to crow about. Arsenal and Manchester City may qualify for UEFA’s top club competition, but trophies have eluded them.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have vanished without trace in the league this season, but could still end the campaign by winning silverware.
Whichever club clinches the Europa League title this week will have had a better season than the aforementioned trophyless duo.
The same would apply to Chelsea if they win the Europa Conference League.
Crystal Palace fall into the same category after defeating Man City 1-0 to lift the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
City will undoubtedly feel aggrieved at the result. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson should have been dismissed in the first half for handling outside the box.
The officials bottled the decision, and City’s misery was compounded when Henderson saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty a few minutes later.
City manager Pep Guardiola was inevitably angry after the game, and Henderson’s niggly antics did not help his mood.
However, Guardiola’s angst was aimed in the wrong direction. City were let down by the officials, but still created enough chances to win the final.
They were ultimately undone by a determined defensive display by Palace and a lifeless performance from some of their top players.
Although Champions League qualification is still within their grasp, failing to win silverware will be a bitter pill for Guardiola to swallow.
By contrast, Palace can bask in the glow of winning a major trophy for the first time.
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What to watch
Napoli and Inter Milan are locked in an epic battle for the Serie A title. Grab a beer, fire up the split-screen function on your television and watch their respective games against Parma and Lazio tonight.
