We’ve been so preoccupied with Manchester City running away at the top of the table, that we haven’t really been noticed how well its neighbour is faring in second place.
With a nice win over Liverpool this weekend in an age-old rivalry game, United has now opened up a four-point lead for second place.
Sure, it certainly doesn’t mean that the race is over, but when you consider that Spurs just lost Harry Kane to an ankle injury – reportedly for up to six weeks – and United just beat fourth-place Liverpool, and you can start to believe that maybe there isn’t much of a race to be had here.
And with United’s loss to Sevilla snuffing out its Champions League ambitions, the focus for Jose Mourinho should be squarely on finishing in that second spot and earning the money that comes along with it. Then, maybe, he’ll be able to convince the board to bring on even more players to fit his style this summer.
Sure, nothing has been settled yet, but we’re not betting against the Manchester teams taking the top two spots in the Premier League. Shades of 2011-12, but without any of the drama.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
We don’t often get sentimental here, but when a milestone like this is reached, it should be recognized: Petr Cech picked up his 200th Premier League clean sheet on Sunday.
In what has been a tumultuous season for Arsenal and its fans, this is something that should surely lift some spirits.
Cech had gone 11 games without a clean sheet, but has 10 on the season. He had to do some work for this one, too, stopping Troy Deeney on a penalty.
It’s not often that you’ll see a Gunner in this space often, but this one is well deserved for a player that isn’t as appreciated as he should be anymore.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
After beating AC Milan, Arsenal now has more European away wins (4) than domestic (3) … After going winless in its past four PL games and falling ever closer to the relegation zone, Southampton has sacked Mauricio Pellegrino. After years of selling off its top players – mainly to Liverpool – that practice has caught up to the Saints on the pitch. And with Mark Hughes the lead candidate to take over, we’re not sure how well this will go for the southern coast side … Even Kane limping off, Spurs were able to see off Bournemouth. The Cherries scored the opener, but Tottenham stormed back with a nice 4-1 win. And the man stepping up for the second game in a row: Heung-min Son … Props to Swansea for keeping a clean sheet despite playing with 10 men from the 11th minute on. How can you not be rooting for this club?
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Mourinho isn’t even subtlety going at his detractors anymore. Check out this quote:
“The worst manager in history of PL, Frank de Boer, says it is no good for Marcus Rashford to have manager like me. Maybe with him he could learn how to lose.”
No that is straight-up flame emojis.
THE LAST WORD
Things are getting heated in east London, with West Ham United supporters storming the pitch this weekend.
They’re pissed, and understandably, about the direction of the club and decided to show the bosses how much.
After chants of “Sack the board,” and “you destroyed our club,” several fans ran onto the pitch after the Irons had conceded to Burnley. One even stole a corner flag while others berated players.
Classy bunch, this sounds like.
Marches against the board have been planned and this situation doesn’t look like it will die down anytime soon.
And with the results not going in the Irons’ favour and the club getting closer to the relegation zone by the week, this could get even worse.
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