In this article I will be looking at who came out of this weekend well and who didn’t. I’ll be analysing club by club and make a verdict on their potential finishing position. These views are completely my own and my opinion. Please comment as I’m curious to see if you agree or disagree with me!
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
Everton 0-1 Man Utd
WBA 0-2 Liverpool
Swansea 3-1 Bolton
Man City 3-1 Wolves
Norwich 3-3 Blackburn
Wigan 0-2 Fulham
Sunderland 2-2 Aston Villa
Tottenham 3-1 QPR
Stoke-Newcastle (Monday Night Football)
Chelsea: One team that has come out of the weekend the worst. Two defeats in a row for AVB’s men and it was a John Terry slip that cost them the game. Chelsea produced some dreadful defending despite scoring three goals. The blues have now been beaten by both Arsenal and Manchester United. If Chelsea continue to play so open and terrible at the back they have no chance of lifting the trophy on May 13th! Currently 3rd in the table however a Newcastle victory over Stoke tonight will see Chelsea fall to 4th and two points behind the Magpies!
Final League position = 3rd
Verdict: I’ve chosen 3rd as I feel the quality of Mata, Lampard and others will come through after the festive period. I don’t feel they have struck the right balance to overthrow either of the Manchester clubs and I think that will take time. Villas-Boas must be given time by Abramovich to show his managerial talent.
Arsenal: A great weekend for the gunners and it shows that they are still a force in the league. They still showed careless defensive errors and could of been dead and buried early on at the Bridge. However, Arsenal’s attacking ability was superb! The key to any success for Arsenal this season is keeping Van Persie fit for as many games as possible. In the past he has struggled with fitness and only managed a handful of games. He is their talisman and when he plays the team look so much more threatening!
Final League position= 5th
Verdict: I don’t think Arsenal will have that little bit extra to reach the Champions League. I feel that Liverpool have made a slow start and I feel that Arsenal can finish above the reds at the end of the season. For me, It all depends on the fitness of key players. Currently 7th in the table two points behind Liverpool and three points behind Spurs.
Everton: After a tough two hour Carling Cup match in the week I wasn’t surprised that Everton fell short this weekend. Also, Manchester United wanted to bounce back from the humiliating defeat to Manchester City. In seasons gone by, Everton may have got something from the game but despite dominating the second half they created very little. Rodwell and Coleman looked the most threatening for the Toffees at Goodison! Currently 16th in the table, the toffees have made a very slow start to the campaign picking up only three victories this season.
Final League position: 11th
Verdict: With such limited resources I think Bill Kenwright and the fans would be pleased with that finish. With no major transfer activity in the summer, Everton have stuck to what they know and stick with the same squad. I feel that a few injuries will leave Everton with the bare bones. Their key players this season are going to be Rodwell, Baines and Howard in my opinion!
Man Utd: This was always going to be a big match for the red devils after the humiliating defeat to City last weekend. All United needed to do was to get a result which they did. The only downside of this weekend for United was another injury to Tom Cleverley after he hobbled off just before the hour. An unconvincing display by the champions but I think the hangover from last week was still on the players’ minds.
Final League position= 1st
Verdict: I know what you’re thinking what a biased writer! Well hear me out. Despite the defeat to local rivals City we have played well against the big clubs this season with victories over Chelsea and Arsenal. Another impressive draw at Anfield and victory against Spurs holds us in good stead. I believe City will drop points during the season and so will we. I believe we have the right balance between the league and the champions’ league.