They may have suffered a cruel and narrow relegation on the last day of the campaign, but there could be at least something to smile about at Bloomfield Road. As reported earlier in the week, Blackpool were one of a number of clubs who were in contention for a Europa League place due to their disciplinary record and following Sunday’s events, there appears a good chance that they could get it.

The Seasiders had their stay in the Premier League cut short on Sunday, after champions Manchester United came from behind to beat the Lancashire side 4-2 at Old Trafford. It was certainly a devastating blow for Ian Holloway’s men, especially after other results meant that they only required a draw to keep their place in the division.

However, there could be hope. England are one of three nations who have been handed an additional Europa League place following their impeccable disciplinary record. This means that the team who top the Fair Play charts in the Premier League will be awarded that place.

However, three of the teams who would normally be competing for this additional place have already qualified for a European competition, as Chelsea top the charts while Tottenham and Manchester United sit nearby.

It was originally thought that Fulham, who occupy 2^nd place in the table, would then take the place but all of that could have changed following their game with Arsenal. Zolten Gera was shown a red card in that match and while there are other factors which contribute to the league standings, this is widely thought to be sufficient to send Blackpool above the Craven Cottage outfit.

Should Blackpool make the cut, they will incredibly be the second Championship side playing in Europe next season. Birmingham were another side who suffered relegation on Sunday but following their Carling Cup victory a few months ago, they have also qualified for the Europa League.

There is no doubt that Fulham are experiencing an extremely successful season, with the Craven Cottage outfit looking set for a top half finish as they occupy 8^th position. However, despite this moderate success, nobody quite expected to hear the news that they could in fact be a surprise qualifier for the Europa League.

England sit in 2^nd place in the UEFA Respect Fair Play Rankings, which means that they are allowed one extra place for the Europa League. The rankings are based on the disciplinary record for domestic and international competitions over the past season, with the top three countries having additional Europa League places awarded.

It has been revealed that the Cottagers sit 2^nd in the English Fair Play Rankings, with Chelsea currently occupying top spot. However, with the Blues already in a European competition due to their top four finish, Fulham are next in line unless there is some sort of absurd turn of events next weekend.

If that does occur and Mark Hughes’ side find themselves completely on the wrong side of the referee, it could in fact be relegation-threatened Blackpool who take a European position. They and Tottenham are both next in line and even if the Seasiders are condemned to the Championship, they are still eligible for European football under the Fair Play rules.

Of course, it is not a huge surprise to see the Cottages plying their trade in a European competition. It was only last year that Roy Hodgson masterminded an unbelievable campaign that saw the club reach the Europa League final, where they were desperately unlucky as they crashed out through a late, extra time goal. However, if they do make it to the competition via this route, their task will be slightly harder as they will be forced to play eight games before reaching the group stages.

Just like yesterday, there wasn’t a huge schedule of Premiership matches yet plenty of drama still attacked the five games that took place. The title may have been wrapped up, but there is still plenty to decide ahead of the top flight finale next weekend.

The biggest game of the day came at the DW Stadium where Wigan hosted fellow-strugglers West Ham. The relegation situation appeared to have been completely turned on its head at one point as the visitors found themselves 2-0 up thanks to a brace from Demba Ba. However, the home side staged a remarkable comeback and after netting a last minute winner to claim a 3-2 victory, they confirmed West Ham’s relegation to the Championship. That result also sparked Avram Grant’s departure, as he was relieved of his duties just hours after the result.

Elsewhere, Birmingham still lay in big relegation trouble as they were soundly beaten 2-0 at home to Fulham. Two goals from defender Brede Hangeland secured the points for the Craven Cottage outfit, while Birmingham approach next weekend level on points with 18^th place Blackpool.

At the other end of the table there was a fantastic result for Tottenham who breezed past Liverpool with a 2-0 win at Anfield. The result means that Spurs leapfrog their opponents into 4^th place and with just one game remaining, they now look clear favorites for netting that Europa League place.

The final two games featured two sides out of the top four although really, neither had any significance. Arsenal had a shock result at home by going down 2-1 to Aston Villa, while 2^nd place Chelsea were also halted as they were held 2-2 against Newcastle. Arsenal’s failure to win means that they can no longer net 2^nd position and if results go against them next week, they could even finish the campaign in 4^th spot.

There may have only been four games in the Premier League today, yet there was plenty of drama at both ends of the table as the day unfolded.

The biggest news of the day was undoubtedly at Ewood Park, where a struggling Blackburn outfit hosted a Manchester United side who knew they just needed the one point to secure a record-breaking 19^th league title. However, it certainly wasn’t the fairytale finish as the home side took the lead in the first half following a Brett Emerton strike from close range. Just like many of their games on the road this year, United looked shaky yet they managed to get their point following Paul Robinson’s foul on Javier Hernandez in the penalty area. Wayne Rooney stepped up to dispatch the spot kick, and hand United their crown.

That result means that Blackburn still have it all to do as they approach the final game of the season, following wins for two other struggling sides. Wolves managed to comfortably come away from Sunderland with a 3-1 victory, while Blackpool produced a wonderful attacking display to beat Bolton 4-3 at Bloomfield Road. Unfortunately the Tangerines are still in the relegation zone due to goal difference and that means they will have to travel to Old Trafford on the final day of the season and get at least a point to have any hope of remaining in the division. From a more positive perspective for them, there are three other sides above them who can still realistically be relegated.

In other results, West Brom continued their late surge up the table as they managed a 1-0 victory over Everton. The result puts the Baggies 10^th in the tables and once again emphasizes the managerial qualities of Roy Hodgson, who was only charged with the task of keeping an ailing Hawthorns outfit in the league when he took over just several months ago.

With just two games remaining and the club sat bottom of the league, there certainly isn’t much to smile about at West Ham. However, the Hammers have been handed a huge survival boost today with the news that influential midfielder and captain Scott Parker will be fit to return this weekend after an Achilles tendon injury.

Parker, who was named as Footballer of the Year just a few weeks ago, hasn’t featured in West Ham’s last four games and it would be fair to say that his absence has correlated with some dreadful form. Avram Grant’s men have picked up just one point from those games and with just two fixtures remaining, they have everything to do if they are to remain in the division.

The Upton Park outfit are currently four points adrift from safety although all is certainly not lost as the Hammers travel to take on fellow strugglers Wigan on Sunday. Victory there could take them within a point of survival as they enter the last game of the campaign.

Should Grant’s men fail to win, it looks all but certain that they will be playing Championship football next term. According to owner David Gold that could mean that several big names could leave and with Parker enjoying such individual success this year, there will be a queue of teams looking to snap him up.

That could mean a return to the very top for the former Charlton man, who has somewhat lost his way in recent years. Injuries have hindered him considerably but having finally got back on track at Upton Park, the 30-year-old could yet end his career on a high. He was the subject of a £10m move to Chelsea only seven years ago and if the very worst does happen to the Hammers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see sides of a similar standing casting an eye over the England international.