Weekend’s Football a few quick thoughts
Dan Tracey
April 25, 2016
2,065 Views
- Leicester City move a step closer to winning the Premier League title as they again stretched their lead at the top to 8 points for at least 24 hours. After their comfortable 4-0 win over Swansea yesterday they have heaped the pressure back on Tottenham who face West Brom this Evening.
- This was a Leicester side without Jamie Vardy and much was made of the fact that The Foxes may struggle without their talismanic striker but they needn’t had worried as they strolled past a Swansea side whose season finished a fortnight ago
- Once Swansea gift wrapped Leicester their opener the leaders never looked back and there was a near party atmosphere at The King Power when the final whistle blew as they are now within touching distance of the title. It could be won as early as next week if results go their way
- Moving away from the title race, there were also the two F.A. Cup Semi Finals over the weekend. It was arguably cup or bust for both Louis Van Gaal and Roberto Martinez going into their encounter on Saturday. Van Gaal increased his chances of staying in employment at the end of the season no harm with that win thanks to a late Anthony Martial winner. While Roberto Martinez will no doubt be having some awkward conversations with the Everton hierachy. You can read more about that here – http://realfootballman.com/football/toffees-martinez-got-sticky-situation/
- We’ll see a repeat of the 1990 Final now thanks to Crystal Palace’s win over Watford yesterday. Palace were the better side but it was a hard fought win for Alan Pardew’s side. Both teams have had disappointing 2016’s in the league so the continuation of the cup run will be a happy distraction for Palace and it will arguably paper over the cracks of a season that has been far from perfect.
- As for Watford, there is talk that Quique Sanchez Flores could find himself under increased pressure and possibly even the sack. In my opinion that would be incredibly harsh considering he has kept them in the Premier League this season and reached a Cup Semi Final. But the fact their form has dropped off a cliff since the start of the year must be somewhat of a concern to everyone connected to the club
- Back to the league now and the race for 3rd place hots up as again Manchester City and Arsenal swap places.
- City strolled to a routine 4-0 win over Stoke on Saturday, the only blot on that copybook is the fact that Yaya Toure is now set to miss the first leg of the Champions League clash against Real Madrid in Midweek
- As for Stoke they have now conceded 14 goals since Jack Butland’s injury, more worryingly is the fact that it’s only taken 4 games in which to ship them. Three consecutive 4-0 defeats has seen them drop to 10th and the best they can hope for now is confirming a top half finish as their season has fizzled out since Butland’s injury
- Back to the race for 3rd and Arsenal lacked fight in their 0-0 draw with Sunderland. Sunderland battled for their lives yesterday and came away with a vital point that sees them move out of the bottom 3 on goal difference and heap more pressure on Norwich and Newcastle
- The Gunners meanwhile will now have Manchester United breathing down their necks for that last Champions League spot. The frustration at Arsenal seems to be growing by the week now that the title has escaped them. Surely the unthinkable won’t happen and Arsenal fail to finish in the Top 4, or will it?
- Rafa Benitez will have had a relatively happy homecoming to Anfield as his Newcastle side came from 2-0 down to earn a point. A result that sees them take 5 points from their last 3 matches but truth be told it probably wasn’t enough. This was a Liverpool side who rested key players for their Europa League Semi Final on Thursday and were arguably there for the taking. With Newcastle playing 1 more game than both Sunderland and Norwich they will have start finding some wins from somewhere or it could be done and dusted for them before the last day of the season.
- Chelsea bounced back from consecutive defeats to stroll past Bournemouth at The Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth have clocked off for the season and are probably grateful they got to 40 points before the fixture computer served up a horrible run of games that they’ve had over the past month
- As for Chelsea a rare glimpse of how they can actually perform this season, they may be 9th but they are still going to play a massive part in the destination of the title with both Tottenham and Leicester still to visit Stamford Bridge
- And finally Southampton kept their outside chance of a Europa League spot next season alive with a relatively routine win over Aston Villa. The 4-2 scoreline suggests it was a close game but in fairness it could and should have been a lot more in terms of goals for The Saints. An absolutely toxic atmosphere at Villa Park on Saturday as the game took part amidst a raft of boos and protests, while this Premier League nightmare is soon to come to an end, The Championship one is just around the corner.
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