Barclays Premier League Review (Matchday 30)
This is a review of the results in the Barclays Premier League for Saturday 15th March - Sunday 16th March.
Well where to start? It was certainly a manic weekend with plenty of talking points. Cardiff look doomed to relegation, Fulham & West Brom picked up massive victories, Chelsea dropped points in the title race, Man City won away with 10 men, and Arsenal and Liverpool picked up massive results away from home to prove the title race is the most open in years. As for the champions Manchester United...
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
(Vidic sent off, Gerrard 2 penalties + missed one, Suarez)
What a disaster this was for the so-called champions. It is hard to believe this is pretty much the same side (plus Fellaini & Mata) which won the league by 11 points last season. Old Trafford is no longer a fortress, teams are not scared to go there anymore. Just look at defeats to Everton, Tottenham, Newcastle & West Brom plus Swansea in the FA Cup as well as Sunday's result. United fans are in a bit of a catch 22 situation right now. Some who are calling for Moyes's head could not name a manger that they would rather do the job (What manager would want the job in the current state of affairs?) but those who still support Moyes want him to have more time, but could see their side slip further and further behind those at the top.
As for Liverpool, this was a statement of intent. They didn't play their best, and yet still won 3-0. That's now two clean sheets in a row, and a league double over their fierce rivals for the first time since 2008-09. I cannot name one player that didn't play well. They are very much in the title race, and would be many neutrals choice of champion. 24 years is a long time to wait for a league title, but the wait will be worth it if Steven Gerrard and co continue as they are towards the summit of the league. Tough games remain, but they have it in their own hands with Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City to come to Anfield. They have the momentum, they have the players, can they finally do it?
Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Arsenal
This is a massive result for two reasons. It keeps Arsenal right in the title race, and more or less denies Tottenham a top 4 finish for another year. They are 9 points behind, and you can't see the teams above losing 3 games and Spurs winning to keep up the pressure. Tottenham had the better chances, Chadli spurned two great chances, and ex-Arsenal man Adebayor went close with a header. In the end, a screamer by Tomas Rosicky settled the North London Derby which means Arsenal have bragging rights after the 3rd win over their rivals this season. Anyone writing Arsenal off for the title should remember this: After Arsenal went out of the Champion's League last year, their form in the league was fantastic. They eventually pipped Spurs to 4th on the final day and although they have an F.A cup semi-final against Wigan Athletic coming up, you would have to say Arsenal have as good a chance as anyone for the title (and a potential double)
(Just to show how much the derby win meant to them, a group of Arsenal players took a selfie in front of their fans at full time!)
(Delph) (Wilian & Ramires sent off, Mourinho sent to stands)
What a bad day at the office for the league leaders Chelsea. At a ground where Jose Mourinho has never won(and there aren't too many of them left!) Two players were sent off, Wilian's was harsh, however the red for Ramires was absolutely right. Cue touchline drama with referee Chris Hoy sending Jose Mourinho to the stands. There may be more that comes of that in the coming days as Mourinho and his Villa counter part Paul Lambert both went onto the pitch, as well as Gabriel Agbonlahor who had been subbed. Villa deserved the win in the end, which should now keep them safe for another year. Delph's goal was a touch of genius, which i doubt he could do again if he tried a million times. A dent in the blue's title challenge, but Mourinho would only tell you they aren't in the title race anyway!
Hull City 0-2 Manchester City
(Kompany sent off, Silva, Dzeko)
A bad week for Man City ended with a hard fought 3 points at the KC stadium against Hull. Defeat at home against Wigan last week, followed by misery in the Nou Camp as Barcelona knocked them out of the Champions League left some fearing for Man City's title bid. It looked as though the wheels may come off again as their captain Vincent Kompany was sent off. However, they proved their title credentials by still sealing all 3 points even with 10 men on the pitch. Those are the sort of games you need to win to be champions and City are still the team the beat in my eyes. They have 3 games in hand on the other teams above them, and you wouldn't bet against them.
(Deulofeu, Coleman) (Cala)
This could be another nail in Cardiff's coffin. They looked to be on course for a hard fought point at Goodison Park but Seamus Coleman's injury time mis-hit strike meant that Everton kept up their pursuit of a Europa League place. Cardiff's goalkeeper David Marshall pulled off some remarkable saves, but eventually the pressure was too much. You have to say Cardiff could be down already if not for him. Ole Gunner Solsjaker has got a massive job on his hands now to keep them in the premier league. His job was made even more difficult after other results at the bottom this weekend...
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle United
Massive win for Fulham who looked dead and buried a week ago. Newcastle had a decent shout for a penalty in injury time when Tim Krul's shot was handled by John Heitinga but no avail. Newcastle's manager Alan Pardew began his 7 game ban for headbutting David Meyler so assistant John Carver took charge. Dejagah's strike gives Felix Magath his first victory in charge. He wasn't the only manager of a struggling team to pick up his first win this weekend...
Swansea City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
(Lamah) (Sessegnon, Mulumbu)
Pepe Mel finally got his first win as manager of the baggies against Swansea, a result which now drags them back into danger. The first half was dominated by the Swans, Lamah's excellent strike giving them the lead. West Brom were lucky not to be more then 1-0 down at the break but improved in the 2nd half, a won the game with a great strike by Sessegnon before Mulumbu hit a side footed winner towards the end. A massive win for the midlands side.
Southampton 4-2 Norwich City
(Schneiderlin, Lambert, Rodriguez, Gallagher)
Norwich are in deep trouble now. Other results didn't got there way, and they didn't help matters themselves. They only decided to play once Southampton had scored 3, leaving the fans questioning Chris Hughton's tactics once again. Rodriguez and Lambert further staked their claims for a place in the England squad this summer in front of Roy Hodgson. The Saints can't finish any lower then where they are no really so a top 10 finish is a certainty. They should now try and catch Man Utd above them.
Stoke City 3-1 West Ham United
(Odemwingie 2, Arnautovic) (Carroll)
Stoke virtually guaranteed their spot in the premier league for another season with this win. It keeps them safe in mid-table, while West Ham fall a few places. They should still be fine, especially as record signing Andy Carroll scored his first goal since last season after an injury hit season.
Sunderland 0-0 Crystal Palace
A result that doesn't really help either side's cause to stay in the league. Sunderland have 3 games in hand, Palace have tailed off a little in the last few weeks but Tony Pulis should be able to keep them up. A game of few chances, so 0-0 shouldn't come as a shock.
So here's how the league table looks after week 30 in the Barclays Premier League:
Next weekend it's a big one at the top. 1st vs 3rd. The Special One vs The 'Success at Failure'.
