Despite the Premier League title being decided some time ago (as it was last year when Liverpool romped home) and even though fan-less stadiums have taken away so much, for me the run-in this season is one of the best in years.
I haven’t spoken much about the survival scrap, because there hasn’t really been one.
I’ve got a soft spot for Fulham and they’ve fought well, but following Friday night’s 1-0 loss against Wolves and with a six-point gap to safety, plus a game more played, I’m not sure even a miracle would save them.
It’s the complete opposite regarding the race for the all-important top four. It chops and changes on the weekly and predicting contender’s results is futile.
Walking dead West Brom stuck five past Chelsea two weeks ago, so who knows where its going?
Sunday night’s 3-1 loss to Manchester United probably meant the end of Spurs’ hopes of Champions League football next season.
I’d really been looking forward to it, but the first 45 was one of the worst halves of football I’ve seen this season. It was like watching a borefest Serie A game without the technical skill.
Saying that, Paul Pogba’s through ball and Edinson Cavani’s finish for the harshly disallowed goal was absolutely beautiful. The second half, of course, was totally different.
While Spurs struggled to get their game going, United moved sweetly through the gears with Pogba in the driving seat as the destination of the points became more obvious. Barring the elbow he got away with, the Frenchman was outstanding.
As ya’ll know, I’m a big Pog fan… Have United fans in the Cape hanged their minds yet after the years of abuse?
It was a top result and should secure runners-up medals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys, which is a result these days. Probably the best half I’ve seen from United this season.
What made it that much better was that they did it with 10 men on the field, because Bruno Fernandes was completely missing. Did he even touch the ball as Pogba and Scott McTominay dominated the middle of the park?
Come on guys, yes he scores a few penalties and puts in a couple of creative passes here and there, but he’s k@k.
Fred was nearly as bad, but showed a bit more than his Portuguese counterpart.
With the two of them having little effect on the game, the dominance over Spurs will be that much more of a worry for Jose Mourinho and an increasingly angry fanbase.
Looking ahead, the league continues this weekend (and in midweek), but focus switches to the FA Cup.
Chelsea take on Manchester City on Saturday and it’s Leicester v Southampton on Sunday. In the meantime, it’s Champions League action tonight and tomorrow.
Can Liverpool pull off another amazing European turnaround? Probably not.
Chelsea look pretty safe, while City (v Dortmund) and PSG (v Bayern) look on the edge!
Did someone say there’s football on Thursday night as well? Thought not…