Gerrard fan Allardyce plots to deny City the title
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 10, 2014
Strapping Sam Allardyce doesn't look the sentimental type, but the West Ham United boss says he'd like his team to deny Manchester City the English Premier League title in the final match of the season tomorrow because Liverpool's Steven Gerrard deserves to win it.
City, which has already beaten West Ham thrice this season, is favorite to become champion. Two points ahead of Liverpool, it also has a much better goal difference and effectively needs only a draw tomorrow.
"From a neutral point of view, everybody would like to see Liverpool win it. From a personal point of view I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it," Allardyce told the West Ham website.
"It's the last thing for him which he hasn't quite achieved at Liverpool. He's been a one-club man all his life. Obviously they've let it slip out of their hands.
"On form and the position they're in, you'd have to say Manchester City are the favorites."
City — one of the world's richest clubs since being bought by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008 — won 3-1 in the league at Upton Park in October, then trounced Allardyce's side 6-0 and 3-0 in the two-leg League Cup semifinal in January.
"Their goal record is fantastic and they have great players. Every player on top of his form, every player can go out and give everything they've got on the basis that they know we're in the Premier League next year, but let's try and spoil City's party."
City's top scorer Sergio Aguero will be fit for the match, manager Manuel Pellegrini said.
Aguero, who scored the dramatic injury-time goal against Queens Park Rangers that gave City the title on the season's final day in 2012, had been a doubt due to a groin problem.
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