United cruise, Chelsea flop, City held by Arsenal and much more: Match Day 32 Review
In what could eventually prove to be a title deciding weekend in the Barclays Premier League, Chelsea will be criticized for their wandering European eyes while United looked to respond to Moyes’ critics. Arsenal and City also clashed in London with title race implications and there were high-scoring thrillers in further matches on the day. Without further delay, your Match Day 32 review.
Manchester United 4-1 Aston Villa
United looked to respond at home against Aston Villa after being thrashed at Old Trafford in midweek. Despite continued groans and debates about the future of manager David Moyes and a chartered plane carrying a sign chiming in on the feelings of many that he should go, United responded with a 4-1, perfect timing given they host Bayern Munich in midweek. The match did not start brightly for the Red Devils when Ashley Westwood put the visitors up 1-0 inside the first 15min and there were some that thought it would be another one of those afternoons. Wayne Rooney would not be one of those, as the United talisman bagged a brace before half time – first in the 20th minute, then in stoppage time from the spot. Villa frontman Christian Benteke had a host of chances all afternoon to give Villa a crucial second and then some, but it would not fall for the Belgian and it would be costly for the Villans. Juan Mata bagged his first for the club and Chicharito stuck late on in stoppage time to give United all three points on the day. An uplifting performance before they host the current European Champions.
Implications: United continue to rest comfortably in 7th place now only 2 points adrift of Tottenham, who have a match in hand. United’s slim hopes of qualifying for Europe in some capacity still remain mathematically possible. Villa remain in the mid-table dog-pile but still look to be on track to remain in the Premiership come seasons end.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea and Jose Mourinho will no doubt be feeling the pressure after a shock loss in their stroll to Crystal Palace. In a match where the entire league expected Chelsea to coast against a more than lackluster Palace side, not only did Palace pick up the full three points, but they had a go at Chelsea for the duration of proceedings at Selhurst Park and truthfully could have won by an even greater margin. Just like in their hiccup against Villa before the European midweek fixture against Galatasaray, Chelsea yet again looked at this “easy” match as second priority to their continental ambitions and both players and manager will have to take responsibility for a result that could have very well ended their title race in one afternoon. Full credit to Palace for their performance on the day, but Chelsea will no doubt look at the table come Sunday evening and wonder what if.
Implications: Chelsea remain top for the day, thanks to City only securing a single point at Arsenal, but Liverpool are only one point adrift with a match in hand, tomorrow against Spurs. City are two points behind the leaders with a further two matches in hand and due to both clubs having no further commitments, the outlook is bleak for the Blues. Vital points for Palace see them climb up to 16th and 5 points clear of the drop zone.
Southampton 4-0 Newcastle United
Southampton will soak up the plaudits yet again with another impressive attacking display as they thrashed Newcastle 4-0 at St. Mary’s. With both sides having aims on catching Manchester United for a top seven finish, one side decided to turn up while the other forgot that a football match was on. Woeful defending on the day by the Magpies would see Jay Rodriguez bag a brace while Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert also firing home for the Saints. Performances like this only continue to fuel the fire that burns with the plea of the English trio playing a big role for England this summer in Brazil, and who can blame them on evidence like today. Newcastle continue being poor when going forward without Loic Remy, but they were poor on the day in every area of the park.
Implications: Soton and Newcastle swap places, with the south-coast club going up to 8th while the Magpies are now 9th. Both sides are firmly entrenched in the top ten, being eight and six points clear of 10th place Stoke and a further 14 and 12 points clear of 11th place West Ham. Top half finishes for both clubs must be considered solid seasons.
Stoke City 1-0 Hull City
Stoke’s impressive form under Mark Hughes continues with another attacking display in their match today that challenged the traditional notion that they are in fact a rugby club rather than a football club. They controlled proceedings from start to finish and it was only their finishing that let them down on the day. Fifteen chances created but only three were on frame – it would only take one however as Peter Odemwingie would score again for the Potters and his capture at the January window is seemingly like a very good bit of business. Stoke are now 4-1-1 in their last fixtures and their form has seen them good value for a top half finish by the end of the season. Hull’s poor away form continues to plague a season that has seen them be decent at home and despite them misfiring today, they still look good to remain in the league come next season.
Implications: Stoke solidify their position in 10th and are now 6 points clear of West Ham who sit just under them in 11th, though that change Monday as West Ham take on Sunderland. Hull’s loss today drops them to 14th, level on points with Swansea who have them bettered on goal difference.
Swansea City 3-0 Norwich City
Swansea began the day in 15th, but would end the day in 13th as Garry Monk’s side look to improve under the interim player/manager and they would earn themselves a 3-0 win at the Liberty Stadium in a match that was a must-win for the south Wales side. In a season that is in stark contrast from the previous year, Swansea must look to rediscover their ways that saw them get into the Europa League as well as a respectable finish in the league. A brace from Jonathan De Guzman and a third goal from Wayne Routledge would seal all the points for the Swans in a match that they really never looked like losing on the day. People are still questioning if letting Michael Laudrup go was the right call by the club, but if more performances like that are on the cards, it may seem the right move after all. Simply put for Norwich, they continue to be abysmal on their travels but still remain comfortable in the table…for now.
Implications: In a season that has seen them flirt just above the relegation zone, perhaps this is the proper kick-start the Swans need to continue their rise to safety and peace of mine as they now sit in 13th. Norwich are down to 15th but are still 6 points clear of the drop zone. Both clubs must rely on netting as many points as possible if they want to assure themselves a place in the EPL next season.
West Bromwich 3-3 Cardiff City
Arguably the match of the season this year – a thriller at the Hawthorns saw two late stoppage time goals end the match in a well fought draw. Two goals inside the first ten minutes for Brum through a potential goal of the season effort for Morgan Amalfitano and a Graham Dorran strike would give Cardiff fans that sinking feeling. But they would battle back – first in the 30th minute through Jordon Mutch and then through Steven Caulker in the 73rd minute. Both sides of supporters looked set to prepare for a draw, and then sheer bedlam would ensue at the ground. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Thievy Bifouma bagged a goal for the Baggies and they looked all but assured of all three points but when Cardiff was allowed to attack one minute past the allotted four of extra time, Norwegian starlet Mads Daehli leveled matters again in a match where both sides played their hearts out – a point well deserved for both sides.
Implications: Both clubs are in a dog-fight to avoid relegation and the result would see Brum drop down to 17th on account of Crystal Palace’s win, while Cardiff are temporarily up to 18th and hope to keep pushing up the table.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City
In a match where City would look to gain three points and with it the top of the table and Arsenal looking to stabilize the ship after their mauling at Stamford Bridge and late mishap against Swansea, the Gunners earned a credible draw against the high-flying blue half of Manchester. Arsenal already without Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott would further be without Laurent Koscielny who remains unfit, while City are still without Sergio Aguero. Arsenal were backs against it from the off and it appeared to be that there would be another drubbing, but it took City nearly 20minutes to find the opener everyone could see coming when David Silva continued his resurgent play slotted home after he put Dzeko into space who hit the post. The Gunners however responded well enough in the second half and Mathieu Flamini was the unlikely source of a goal that took the wind out of City sails just enough for Arsenal to earn a point, which keeps them in the title race on paper. City controlled proceedings all evening however and will lament their inability to hit Arsenal for a second however they are still on course to top the table baring wins in their two matches in hand.
Implications: Arsenal remain comfortably in 4th, despite Everton having two matches in hand going into the remainder of the weekend fixtures and even if Everton pick up the full 6 points from those matches (one against Arsenal), the Gunners will remain fourth. City are 3rd, just two points behind Chelsea with two matches in hand and one point behind Liverpool who they will have two matches in hand over once Pool play Spurs tomorrow.
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