BY MIKE McKINLEY Not that long ago a friend of mine was predicting we d need to go to Anfield and get a result on the last day of the season. Turns out he was right all along, but half a table higher than he was expecting. Victory over City gave us the chance to have so

Not that long ago a friend of mine was predicting we'd need to go to Anfield and get a result on the last day of the season.

Turns out he was right all along, but half a table higher than he was expecting.

Victory over City gave us the chance to have some fun at Liam Gallagher's expense, and should ensure we finish no lower than eighth, to the delight of those among us who know any West Ham fans and suffered months of mickey-taking.

Europe is now an outside chance due to Fulham's form, and there's probably at least one man in N17 who isn't too sad about that.

The thought of an autumn without the midweek distractions and excursions across Europe would no doubt be very welcome for Harry Redknapp, and we could draw hope from the solidity and consistency during our last exile from the competition.

That said, it does feel perverse to think that it would be a good thing to miss out on Europe in a bid to, er, qualify for Europe...

It would, however, be so nice to end the season on a high.

And after so many decent shows against the Big Four a win away at one of their places for the first time since Aaron Lennon was in short trousers would round things off beautifully.

And Robbie Keane should have his tail up too - fresh from scoring the winner against City on Saturday - so you never know, we might just lay another hoodoo to rest.

Then it's over to Harry and Danny, and a bid to never have to work out how close we'll be to going down again.

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