Mersey and Irwell runneth over: BPL weekend match review
Form is a funny thing in football – it can come and go in a flash and as such, it is always up to both player and manager alike to respect the mental side of the game else form suffers if your head is not on straight and level. There are no two better in-form sides than Liverpool and Everton and they would yet again put that to the test this weekend with key fixtures for the pair of them. Manchester United and Manchester City look to keep their runs going, while Chelsea and Arsenal are in the midst of trying to stabilize their situations. As the title race remains as hotly contested as ever, it was another week of title credentials being put on the line whilst the bottom clubs remain engaged in that perennial relegation dog-fight that so often defines the character of club and player alike. Here is your weekend match review.
Manchester City continued their impressive attacking home displays as they put Southampton to the sword in a 4-1 drubbing at the Etihad in a match that would be crucial in the run in to their trip to Anfield next weekend. The full three points was required on the day and City delivered a resounding display. Goals from Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic sealed the deal for Manuel Pellegrini’s men – Rickie Lambert bagged the only goal for the Saints on the day, who despite the performance, are still one of the most pleasing stories of the season and remain firmly in the top ten (8th) while City are still 3rd but only four points back of Liverpool in the run-in to next weekend crunch match on Merseyside.
There is still some fight yet left in Fulham as they battled to a 2-1 win at Villa Park against an Aston Villa side that continues to be abysmal at their home ground. Two second-half strikes from Kieran Richardson and Hugo Rodallega were separated by a Grant Holt goal and would prove to be just enough to get the Cottagers a vital three points that has them up to 18th in the table but with it still all to do. Villa are 13th and are decent value to remain clear of the drop zone but any further lack of results over the coming weeks could see that in jeopardy.
Jason Puncheon was the man of the hour for Crystal Palace as he bagged a brace for the London side in their 3-0 win away at Cardiff. There would be no majestic fight back from the Welsh side this time around as they were firmly beaten and it now must be sad that any hopes that Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer can conjure up a rescue operation of gargantuan proportions. While they are only six points from safety, they have only managed four points in their last six matches and that is hardly enough to see them crawl out of the relegation worm hole. Palace are in 14th however, seven points clear from the drop and now on the back of two straight wins.
A lone first half strike by George Boyd would be enough to see Hull City take all three points at the KC Stadium against visiting Swansea City. It would yet again be the tale of created chances not polished off, as the Swans had the better run of play for the duration of the match but creating is not enough without end product and the Tigers capitalized on their opportunity effectively. It will be troubling times now for Swansea supporters as they are a only six points clear of the drop zone and sitting in 15th, while Hull are now 12th and within ear shot of pushing for an unexpected top-ten finish.
Juan Mata has continued his recent renaissance for Manchester United as he bagged a brace in United’s 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. The Magpies continue to be less than impressive this season, with topsy-turvy results littering their fixture list and it must be said that once Yohan Cabaye left for PSG, they have not been the same. Coupled with the fitness issues of Loic Remy, they are not offering much in attack consistently enough. Javier Hernandez and Adnan Januzaj bagged the other goals in the match which saw United leap-frog Spurs into 6th place for the time being, while Newcastle remain in the top-ten sitting comfortably in 9th.
West Bromwich will have Morgan Amalfitano to thank yet again for another solid display, as he bagged the games only goal in their 1-0 away win at Norwich City. The Baggies under Pepe Mel continue to build from strength to strength and their recent form, which has been decent, now see’s them put a little more breathing room between them and the drop zone. After the match result, both sides are level on the same point total of 32, with Brum having a critical match in hand that they will hope to solidify their position away from the bottom three.
Due to their continued involvement in the Champions League, Chelsea have bounced around from win to loss four weeks running and it has put their title chances in jeopardy, however they would seem unfazed this weekend with a well polished performance at home which resulted in a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge against visiting Stoke City. The Potters came to London on the back of a five-match undefeated run, but Stamford Bridge would yet again prove the fortress under Mourinho it always has been – Mohamed Salah scored his second for the club and Frank Lampard and Willian added further strikes to settle the matter. Chelsea are still in 2nd but with City only two points back with two matches in hand they could fall further from grace. Despite their loss, Stoke under Mark Hughes have been fantastic and their overall form still has them in 10th.
Six straight for Everton now after their impressive 3-0 win against struggling Arsenal. Roberto Martinez continues to do wonders with the Goodison Park side and the battle for 4th place has reached boiling point. The Toffees are now a single point behind the Gunners and with Arsenal’s commitment in the FA Cup semi-finals next weekend, Everton’s match in hand will come in to play and should they win, they’ll take over the coveted last spot for Champions League qualification. Goals from the in-form Steven Naismith, Romelu Lukaku and a Mikel Arteta own goal put the Gunners to bed in a toothless display. It’s all gone horribly wrong for the north London club, who were top of the table in January but have sunk in the months of February and March (their usual times of struggle) yet again.
It was not the sensational display we have come to expect from them this season, but three points are three points and Liverpool earned all of them in a tricky away match at West Ham which has them re-take the top spot in the table. On the whole, the Hammers have been strong as of late but there is no stronger side on form than the Reds and their momentum was enough on the day as a brace from the spot from captain Steven Gerrard sandwiched a controversial Guy Demel goal – his first ever for West Ham. SAS were kept off the scoresheet but Pool created just enough in a match that was back and forth to the surprise of many. Full credit to Sam Allardyce for having a go rather than sitting back as he has his players playing with much greater confidence these days. West Ham are 11th as of now but only three points from the top half of the table.
Why was form brought up in the beginning of this? Simple – clubs that have inspirations of being successful will always find form when it matters most. Liverpool and Everton are the toast of the town as of late as the Merseyside pair have swept all before them over the last month and a half to two months. Arsenal, in regards to form, are 17th. City have continued to play well while Chelsea have had their mindset geared towards their continental exploits which saw them drop two key matches which has thrown their title ambitions into complete disarray. Managers and players alike will rise to the occasion when called upon if their ambitions match their drive on the pitch – in the case of Liverpool chasing the title and Everton wanting European football on the back of Martinez’s promise to Bill Kenwright, you cannot argue against how strong form can either lift a club or condemn it.
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