The end of the dream

The statistics that affect football can throw up some interesting results.  Back in 2008 Fulham were relegated at half-time, losing 2-0 away to Manchester City while their near rivals were winning. At full-time they had beaten the blue half of Manchester 3-2, their rivals had contrived to be defeated and Fulham were on the way to Premier League survival.  The win at Aston Villa today could produce a similar miraculous escape.
However, two teams won handsomely and still saw their dreams crumble. In reality, they  knew it was over though.  Today, Hearts scored four and were relegated from the Scottish Premier League.  Manchester United scored four and relinquished the (English) Premier League title. Both still had mathematical possibilities to achieve their goals at 3pm but the concatenation of results by 8pm ensured they were gone.  St Mirren's win meant they could not be caught by Hearts and Man Utd's moribund title defence was buried alive by Chelsea's and Man City's victories as the sum total of points Man Utd could finish on - 72 - would be surpassed by at least one of Chelsea, Man City and/or Liverpool who must play both of the first two.  Man City on 70pts, Liverpool on 71pts, Chelsea on 72pts, even goal difference can't save Man Utd now.