Going Down?: Survival Remains In City's Hands

Last updated : 20 April 2010 By Andy Beill

Kevin Kilbane gave the Tigers the lead after just two minutes, but Burnley - who had picked up only one point on their travels all season - equalised before half time through Martin Paterson. City looked like they'd all but given up after Graham Alexander converted two penalties, and Wade Elliott made it 1-4 deep into injury time from a free kick. The result put the two teams level on 27 points, with Burnley moving ahead as their goal difference is now superior, although they have played an extra game.

West Ham went further out of reach after beating Sunderland 1-0 at Upton Park. They're now on 31 points, four ahead of Burnley and City. The result also confirmed Portsmouth's relegation.

On Sunday, Wolves added another point to their tally by drawing at home to Stoke. Mick McCarthy's side have now failed to score in their last three games, but are ahead of the chasing pack in 14th place with 33 points.

Bolton are still not clear from danger. They've failed to take anything from a run of four tough games, the most recent being a 1-0 defeat away to Chelsea on Tuesday as Nicolas Anelka scored against his former club. The Trotters remain stuck on 32 points and have only scored in three of their last 13 Premier League games.

Wigan's form is even worse. After a goalless draw at home to Portsmouth last night they've only won two of their last 14 games in the league. The point puts them level with Bolton but behind on goal difference.

That means the Latics are now five points ahead of City (with West Ham and Burnley in between) but have played an extra game, and as the two teams are still to play each other in the penultimate week of the season Iain Dowie and his side remain reliant on their own results and not those of other teams at this stage.

Latest table (14/04/10) Pld
Home
Away
Overall
Pts GD

W D L F A
W D L F A
W D L F A
13 Sunderland 34
8 7 2 30 17
1 4 12 14 35
9 11 14 44 52
38 -8
14 Wolverhampton Wanderers 34
4 5 8 10 20
4 4 9 18 31
8 9 17 28 51
33 -23
15 Bolton Wanderers 34
5 5 7 22 28
3 3 11 14 34
8 8 18 36 62
32 -26
16 Wigan Athletic 34
5 6 6 14 20
3 2 12 16 44
8 8 18 30 64
32 -34
17 West Ham United 34
6 4 7 26 26
1 6 10 15 31
7 10 17 41 57
31 -16

18 Burnley 34
6 5 6 21 24
1 1 15 15 48
7 6 21 36 72
27 -36
19 Hull City 33
6 5 5 22 26
0 4 13 10 44
6 9 18 32 70
27 -38
20 [R] Portsmouth (-9) 34
4 3 10 20 29
2 3 12 8 31
6 6 22 28 60
15 -32

Week 35 - selected fixtures

All of the teams in the thick of it face tough fixtures at the weekend. Hull City, Wolves, Bolton and Burnley are all away from home on Saturday. Wigan play Arsenal on Sunday and West Ham go to Liverpool on Monday. Hull City's game in hand is played on Wednesday at home to Aston Villa.

Saturday 17th April
Birmingham City v Hull City
Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland v Burnley

Sunday 18th April
Wigan Athletic v Arsenal

Monday 19th April
Liverpool v West Ham United

Wednesday 21st April
Hull City v Aston Villa