'Better than 4th' - Mahela Jayawardene trolls Kevin Pietersen after Manchester United finish above Chelsea in the EPL

The English Premier League (EPL), regarded as the most competitive football extravaganza across the globe, has a massive fan-following. The current EPL season, which recently was marred by COVID-19 pandemic, came to a thrilling end on Sunday with Manchester United and Chelsea both securing Champions League football by winning the final games of their season.

Both Chelsea and United headed into the final match week requiring a point each to finish in the top four and ensure that they ply their trade in the Champions League next season. Manchester United locked horns with fifth-placed Leicester City, who are also battling to finish in the top-four list. However, United, on the back of goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard, registered a 2-0 victory to secure their third spot in the EPL table.

Similarly, Chelsea, in their battle against Wolves, won by a 2-0 margin to finish fourth in the EPL this year. Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount found the back of the net in Chelsea’s 2-0 triumph. Following the culmination of the EPL, former cricket stars Mahela Jayawardene and Kevin Pietersen, who are avid football fans, got involved in a cheeky banter on Twitter.

Not a bad way to end the season: Mahela Jayawardene

Jayawardene, who supports Manchester United, trolled Chelsea fan Pietersen after The ‘Red Devils’ finished the season on the third place.

“Not a bad way to end the season.. champions league football next year,” Jayawardene had tweeted after United defeated Leicester on Sunday. “3rd?!,” Pietersen replied to his tweet. Jayawardene then responded by reminding the former England batsman that Chelsea finished below United. “And Chelsea 4th,” Jayawardene responded.

And Chelsea 4th 😲😛 https://t.co/Gtq4GK7zMO

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) July 27, 2020

Pietersen carried on the banter by writing, “I’m not tweeting about 4th! All Man Utd fans are about 3rd.” The former Sri Lanka skipper also didn’t hold back as he replied, “Better than 4th… that’s what fans do.. they are happy and understanding of each season.”

Better than 4th.. 😉 that’s what fans do.. they are happy and understanding of each season.. 😛 https://t.co/1qUeIScsSC

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) July 27, 2020

Jordan Henderson-led Liverpool had already emerged as the forerunners to clinch the EPL trophy this season before the tournament had got suspended due to the coronavirus lockdown. Barring Liverpool and Manchester City, who finished on first and second place respectively, there was a nail-biting finish for the third and fourth place in the points table.

Both heavyweights– Manchester United and Chelsea– managed to squeeze in the ‘Top-4’ list. Despite having the same points (66), it was United who finished above Chelsea on the basis of goal difference.