With just five games to go now in the Barclays Premier League, things are really beginning to get interesting.

Manchester United are just edging Liverpool at the top of the table whilst at the bottom, the likes of Newcastle and Middlesbrough are struggling to keep their status as a top flight club.

Also, the race for 7th place, and that final Europa League spot, is really hotting up with nearly half a dozen clubs still in the running.

At the moment, Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham currently occupy that 7th spot, however they have a host of clubs lining up behind them ready to pounce on any mistake made by the Hammers between now and the end of May.

Fulham, Tottenham, Manchester City and Wigan are all still in with a shout of catching West Ham. With Zola’s men still to play the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton before the season ends there is certainly hope for the chasing pack.

In truth, none of the sides involved have an easy run-in.

I am finding it really hard to pick a winner between the five involved. Tottenham are on a good run but they still have to travel to places like Goodison Park, Old Trafford and Anfield so that would probably lead me to rule them out of it. It’s just not possible for Manchester City to do it if they keep their current away form going.

Fulham …… err, no. Wigan ….. they might just be a bit too far back.

I certainly wouldn’t be putting any money on it, but I’ll say West Ham.

What do you think? Who will claim 7th spot? Comments below please.

Liverpool goalkepper Charles Itandje has today attempted to defend himself after he was banned for two weeks by the Merseyside club.

The former French under-21 international was seen acting inappropriately during the club’s memorial service for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster earlier this week and has now been banned, however Itandje feels the situation has been blown out of all proportion.

The 26-year old had this to say about the situation : “It is a 30-second video montage that was given senseless proportions. My behaviour should be judged over a one-hour video … You know the papers here (in Britain), they do a lot with not much. I even heard I was dancing! … What happened will not do much to change my situation at the club since I am already on the transfer list.”

Why Itandje has come out and said what he has is just beyond me. There is nothing he can say to condone his actions. They were just plain stupid. He should have just kept his mouth shut, maybe release a public apology, and get on with his career. I am keen to hear what you Liverpool fans have to say about Itandje. Comments below please.

What a pathetic penalty.

Dimitar Berbatov showed everyone what he is all about today. The player who Manchester United signed for a massive £30 million last summer came on as a substitute during his side’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Everton. The game went to penalties and the Bulgarian took, what can only be described as, one of the worst penalties of modern times.

The penalty summed up Berbatov’s time at United. Lazy.

Have your say on the penalty and the player by leaving a comment below.