Match Of The Day a few late thoughts

• A slightly delayed edition this week as I thought I would wait for the Leicester game to take place to add extra context to the article
• That context being that Leicester move another step closer to the Premier League. With the gap at 7 points over Tottenham it’s going to take one hell of a collapse for them not to win the title now
• You can read more on their win over Southampton here http://realfootballman.com/2016/04/03/leicester-vs-southampton-a-few-quick-thoughts/
• The reason they are 7 points clear is due to the fact that Tottenham could only manage a draw against Liverpool at Anfield. Two points dropped you would have say especially in terms of the title race. On another season that would be a decent point on Merseyside but as we know this season the stakes a lot higher. You can read more about that game here http://realfootballman.com/2016/04/03/liverpool-vs-tottenham-a-few-quick-thoughts/
• Arsenal if they are to have any chance of winning the title will need to win all their games between now and May 15 and hope that Leicester slip up along the way. They completed the first part of their challenge with some ease with a comfortable 4-0 win over Watford on Saturday
• Arsene Wenger’s side managing to exact some revenge for the F.A Cup upset last month and in turn close the gap between them and their most hated rivals Spurs. Arguably you could say that they look favourites to get 2nd place. A lot will rest on whether Mauricio Pochettino’s side can bounce back with a win over Manchester United next week.
• Watford’s alarming run of bad form must be a greater concern for manager Quique Sanchez Flores, a 4th straight defeat and 5 games without a win now for The Hornets. The goals have deserted this side with Odion Igahlo’s hot streak all but disappeared now. They’ll be ok in terms of staying up but it’s definitely been a season of two halves
• Manchester City bounced back and looked the City which at one point was capable of challenging for the title. That was in no small part due to the return of Kevin De Bruyne, after a long injury absence he capped off his return with the pick of the goals in a 4-0 win away at Bournemouth. City have been feeling the heat from Manchester United and West Ham over the past few weeks and this was the best possible way to ease the pressure
• As for Bournemouth, have they switched off or have the just come up against two good sides in Tottenham and Manchester City in their last two matches. It’s probably the latter in fairness but their next fixture at the Weekend will give us a greater idea as to whether they are on the beach already
• Manchester United beat Everton in what was a pretty dour game – especially the first 45 minutes, there wasn’t a great deal to write about but you can read more here http://realfootballman.com/2016/04/03/manchester-united-vs-everton-a-few-quick-thoughts/
• West Ham lost ground due to dropping two points at home to Crystal Palace but after arguably dropping 4 points in their last two matches, if result and also refereeing decisions had gone their way they would have been in 4th place now. Moment of the match has to be Dimitri Payet’s Free Kick it was simply perfection
• As for Crystal Palace they are still looking for their first league win since December 19th. After Dwight Gayle evened the score they failed to make their numerical advantage count at Upton Park and had to make do with a draw. The pressure is mounting on Alan Pardew and all of a sudden the visit of Norwich next Saturday turns into a 6 pointer
• Speaking of 6 pointers Norwich got the better of their clash with Newcastle and gave their chances of survival a massive boost. Another performance like that and they will be level on points with Palace and bring them right into the mix in terms of the relegation fight
• As for their opponents Newcastle they really are running out of time to haul themselves out of the bottom 3. Twice they leveled on Saturday but still conspired to lose the game in injury time. Rafa Benitez is still looking for his first win and at this rate will be looking for a quick exit out of Tyneside in May
• Their North East rivals and partners in near relegation crime Sunderland only fared slightly better but will certainly rue the fact they failed to take advantage of a West Brom side who have nothing to play for. The gap to safety now extends to 4 points for Sam Allardyce’s side and the wins have to got to start this Weekend or they are done for
• No new Manager bounce at Aston Villa as they were drubbed 4-0 at home to Chelsea. The limp closer to the relegation line it could and most probably will be official next week. As for Chelsea the unbeaten run under Guus Hiddink continues but that’s all there is to write about them
• And finally Stoke v Swansea had a feeling that this would be last on Match Of The Day and it was, it wasn’t a bad game in fairness though. Although Mark Hughes will no doubt feel that they’ve blown a chance to stay in the race for a Europa League place a feat that will get harder now that Jack Butland is injured
• Credit to Swansea though whose upturn in fortunes continues. Is Francesco Guidolin doing enough to keep Brendan Rodgers at bay and earn the full time job for himself next season. Not mathematically safe yet but another vital point to add to the tally
• One other point Dan Walker isn’t a patch on Gary Lineker as a presenter.

Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price

Papa Johns Pizza Offer