WHILE fans of Middlesbrough and Manchester City might disagree, tomorrow's Premiership programme is all about the appeal of "car crash football".

You don't want to watch the drama and despair of the relegation battle - but you will!

From goalkeeper Jimmy Glass' last-gasp winner for Carlisle United to David Pleat's manic meander across Maine Road, the act of survival is every bit as memorable as the moment of victory.

The players of Norwich, Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Brom have spent this season battling against adversity but, tomorrow, someone somewhere will follow in the footsteps of Steve McQueen. While three teams crash out of the top-flight, one match-winner will engineer the greatest of great escapes. The only imponderable is who?

Norwich's players can at least console themselves with the knowledge that their fate is in their own hands.

The list of possible scenarios is almost endless, but what is indisputable is that, if Norwich win at Fulham, Delia Smith will be rabble-rousing at Premiership grounds again next season.

Such an outcome is not impossible. Fulham have nothing to play for and, if their insipid recent display against Newcastle is anything to go by, Craven Cottage has already become a summer camp.

But Norwich have not won away all season, so to expect them to suddenly find a cure for their travel sickness may be asking too much.

A draw is perhaps the most likely outcome, and that would leave all three of their relegation rivals in with a shout of survival.

Southampton looked doomed when they were thrashed by local rivals Portsmouth last month but, after a crucial 4-3 win over the Canaries, the Saints could yet be alive at five o'clock tomorrow.

Harry Redknapp's side host Manchester United at St Mary's and, while their opponents will still be smarting after this week's defeat to Chelsea, next weekend's FA Cup final is sure to be at the forefront of their minds.

Southampton have survived on the final day before though and, while Peter Crouch's suspension is a blow, it would be a brave man to bet against Redknapp's unique blend of bluster and belligerence from coming good again.

Crystal Palace will enjoy the support of most neutrals because of the way they have defied the odds for most of the season.

Ian Dowie has performed miracles with a group of players who were languishing in the bottom four of the Championship less than 18 months ago and, in Andy Johnson, the Eagles can boast the star performer of the bottom four.

But, after coining the phrase "bouncebackability", Dowie could be bouncing back into the Championship tomorrow.

Palace visit Charlton and, while the Addicks have suffered their usual end-of-season slump, London pride should spur them to victory at The Valley.

That just leaves West Brom. Bryan Robson has already exceeded expectations by keeping the Baggies in the hunt on the final day and, on paper at least, his side seem to have the easiest task.

A home game with a Portsmouth side playing for nothing more than pride would have been the ideal scenario if three points had guaranteed survival.

They will not, but West Brom can at least count on the support of the Pompey fans if there is any chance of Southampton tumbling out of the top-flight.

Strange things tend to happen on the final day of the season and tomorrow will be no different. It will all make for compelling viewing and, at around ten to five, somebody will write their name into footballing folklore.

For everyone else, the final whistle will bring tears and trauma. "Car crash football" will take centre stage again.