What a Super Sunday of football. One game definitely went against the grain and the other, more than predictable, after the score ended as expected.
Arsenal was a team looking to bounce back after two games of them not showing up. After the Brighton misfire, they’ve now gone three game without collection a single point in the Premier League.
Hughton and his men knew they had a gamble against a crippled North London side. How his Seagulls went about their business, was the only way to do so. If they’d allowed Arsenal to get into them early in the game, there’d be a different outcome.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 4, 2018
All three goals came in the first half of the game, and nothing coming in the second. A lot of scares in front of both goals, but no real punishing move came of them. Prior to this (when they played Man City twice in back-to-back games) they demonstrated gutless football with nobody to call on when in need of a goal.
This one was a bit different for Wenger. His team of Gunners played with a bit more fight and urgency in the second half while being a goal down. However, there was little quality on display as the Gunners missed every shot taken.
"I think Brighton win this game. It's the Bournemouth game all over again in my opinion. Brighton are playing well at home and Arsenal have gone."
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) March 2, 2018
- Paul Merson on Arsenal vs. Brighton this weekend pic.twitter.com/9zwtPF547U
After the result, the real question is – how does Wenger still have a job? It surprises me, and many others around the world.
Arsenal really have nothing to play for expect trying not to drop below Burnley, who’s had a better run than the top-six side. Failure to end in sixth place is another depressing story on its own.
Next: Saturday Matchday 29 roundup
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea
To put the last game of the day into a few words – one point it looked as if City were playing alone. Yes, that’s how bad it was for Antonio Conte and his Stamford Bridge side.
Chelsea looked dejected from the game after the Premier League leaders went ahead through, Bernardo Silva. The only goal of the game was more than enough for Pep’s men to see them take all the points.
📸 Sky blue breakthrough - 35 secs into the second half
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 4, 2018
Man City 1-0 Chelsea (57 mins)#MCICHE pic.twitter.com/Gsm9NN2loR
Next: Spurs and their comprehensive play
They game could have seen a far higher scoreline, after Man City missed many opportunities (13). The home team started the game in fast fashion, causing Conte’s men to make a number of errors.
Hazard was totally lost as the false nine striker, which added to the problem up front for the Blues. Chelsea was so poor on the day they only recorded three shots at goal, with none of them going on target.
Another stat proving Chelsea was under too much pressure – was their inferior possession stat of 28%, to Man City’s 72%. No way anybody could say, Chelsea were previous champions after such a discouraging performance.
Next: 100 things to see at the World Cup
FT: Man City 1-0 Chelsea. Bernardo Silva. A humiliating scoreline was avoided. But a humiliating performance was not. Conte's Blues got what they came for: nothing. And they barely deserved even that. Fans who remained, standing and singing throught, deserve better.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) March 4, 2018
They were unable to withstand the weight of the other teams winning around the top spots, and have made things hard for them in the Champions League fight.
City on the other hand have publicised they are taking that title after big wins against both London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively.
There is certainly no way they are getting taken off the Premier League throne this season.