EPL: What we learnt from the weekend’s fixtures
It was a hectic weekend in the Premier League, where we saw the league leaders, Arsenal, concede five goals to Liverpool and get displaced at the top while how Manchester United managed only a draw despite having 75% possession and putting 81 crosses into the box is something I’m still trying to figure out. Here is a look at the top five talking points from this weekend’s fixtures in the Premier League.
5) Fatigue creeping in?
A month ago, if there was one strong and consistent team in the Premier League, it would have been Manchester City. Having scored over 115 goals in the first half of the season, it is suddenly surprising to see the Citizens not hit the back of the net in back to back fixtures, the second against a struggling Norwich squad. This is the first time ever that City are alive in all four competitions at this stage in the season, and with games coming thick and fast, Pellegrini seems to have some troubles rotating his players. The likes of Negredo and YayaToure, who have started almost every game this season looked completely lackluster and it would be fair to say City were lucky to come out with a point from Carrow Road. With a round of midweek fixtures coming up, before an FA Cup clash against Chelsea followed by Barcelona’s visit to Etihad, Pellegrini’s troubles seem to be far from over.
4) Adebayor is clearly Spurs’ best player:
After the sale of Gareth Bale, Spurs went out and splurged in the transfer market and added the likes of Paulinho, Eriksen and Lamela to their squad. But despite all their new signings, the best player for the North London club this season has been Emmanuel Adebayor, who looked a forlorn figure under Andre-Vilas Boas. The Togolese international received a second lease of life under new manager Tim Sherwood, and he repaid the faith in him with yet another winner against sixth placed Everton, as Spurs kept close on Liverpool’s heels for the final Champions League spot.
3) What does Moyes have to do to win?
Manchester United had the perfect opportunity to take advantage of Everton’s loss and move closer to sixth spot in the table, and they couldn’t have asked for a better opponent than bottom placed Fulham. What followed was an absolute barrage of crosses into the box and United will be absolutely shattered to not walk away with more than 2 goals and 1 point from the game. The title hopes may have gone away a few weeks ago but United now face a daunting task to get back into the top four as they slipped to 9 points behind Liverpool, and with a trip to the Emirates up next, Moyes’ job isn’t getting any easier.
2) Liverpool – serious title contenders?
Brendan Rodgers may have dismissed any talks of Liverpool being title contenders this season but deep down inside his heart, he must know that he actually does have a shot at glory. After Liverpool’s annihilation of Arsenal, they only sit six points behind leaders Chelsea and with the form and attacking intent that the Scousers displayed on Saturday, they are as good as any team in the Barclays Premier League this season.
1) Chelsea are clear favorites:
Although Jose Mourinho may disagree, Chelsea’s dominating display at the Etihad Stadium last week showcased Chelsea’s potential to win the Barclays Premier League. Mourinho’s boys followed up that brilliant performance with yet another classical display of football against the Magpies. If the game at the Etihad was a brilliant team performance, the one at the Bridge against Newcastle belonged to Eden Hazard, and Hazard alone. The Belgian, at 23, is definitely on his way to becoming a great player and with 12 goals to his credit, he has been keen Chelsea’s mainstay as to why they sit atop the table.
Tags: Arsenal, Barclays Premier League, Chelsea, EPL, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League
