City and Everton stroll while Arsenal stumble again – match review and implications
It seems that every match from here on out will not only have title implications, but European places as well. City traveled across down for a Derby showdown with United, while Arsenal hosted Swansea in a crucial match and Everton took a trip to the northeast to visit Newcastle. As usual, here we go:
Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City
To say that this match was over in the first minute would not be an exaggeration. Edin Dzeko opened the scoring inside the first minute and City was surely off to secure all three points. After two strong displays against Olympiakos and then West Ham, the home support would have expected more from the Red devils but they just did not turn up on a night where they should have wanted to put in their best showing of the season. Questions will be asked yet again of David Moyes’ selection, option to drop Shinji Kagawa, replace him with Danny Welbeck and go with three in midfield in a far less aggressive tactical approach that allowed City too much possession – it would prove incredibly costly. Further goals from Dzeko again and the outstanding Yaya Toure (now on 17 league goals, good for third in the EPL) would seal proceedings and continue to show that this United team under Moyes is just not good enough. City were comfortable throughout the evening and United was woeful at the back as well as in the center of the park.
Implications: City are now just three points adrift of Chelsea at the top with those crucial two matches in hand over Jose Mourinho’s men – when they crashed out of Champions League, you just knew this was coming. United’s season is just about over, and even if they do claw into the Europa League, you just have to think that Moyes will be shown the door – United remain in 7th, separated by five points on either side of them in the table.
Arsenal 2-2 Swansea City
After their complete and utter annihilation at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, this was the perfect match for Arsenal to bounce back into the title race when they welcomed an underwhelming Swansea side to the Emirates – their supporters would leave the ground disappointed again. Arsenal went down 1-0 after Wilfried Bony scored inside the first fifteen minutes but Arsenal still looked threatening. The second half would be filled with both elation and aggravation as a quick fire two-minute double salvo from Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski put Arsenal back in front. It would all come crashing down when a Mathieu Flamini own-goal would gift Swansea a point. A vital two points dropped from a match they surely had to win and it now must be said that there is no guarantee Arsenal will even finish in the top-four come the completion of the season.
Implication: Any points for Swansea are good points currently as they remain 15th in the table, but only two points ahead of West Bromwich and Crystal Palace who are in 16th and 17th. The response Arsenal were expected to give did not come to fruition and the two dropped points mean Arsenal must play host to Manchester City while they occupy 4th and only six points ahead of Everton.
Newcastle United 0-3 Everton
Inconsistent Newcastle reared their ugly head yet again as Everton buck their woeful away form of the past three months in a strong performance and a 3-0 win at St. James’ Park. Going to Newcastle will always be tough traditionally and despite their struggles, the return of Romelu Lukaku spurned the Toffees on in a match that was crucial to their push for a Champions League spot. The big Belgian bagged their second on a night, but a wonder goal from starlet Ross Barkley and a late goal from Everton stalwart Leon Osman netted Martinez and his men the full three points. No one would imagine that Everton would be out-dueling David Moyes and his new club this year, or big-spending Tottenham but it must be said that under Martinez and the way they are playing, Everton can push Arsenal till the final weekend of the BPL for fourth.
Implications: Everton are back up to 5th after that match, six points adrift of Arsenal but retain their vital match in hand over the Gunners. With Arsenal hosting City at the weekend, Everton’s next match will be absolutely crucial and could see them just three points adrift of 4th after the weekend. Newcastle failed to gain any ground on United above them or Southampton below them but remain comfortably entrenched in the top half of the table.
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