Week 17

 Aside from early on, Crystal Palace never really looked like scoring. Which is a terrible prospect when playing Chelsea. Chelsea certainly do one thing well: score on you and shut up shop (not from a lack of trying though.) One feels that Chelsea can’t keep missing this many opportunities and still be crowned champions. Yet nearly half way through the season they find themselves 6 points clear.

Middlesbrough are taking their points well and taking them where they can get them. After getting thrashed 3-0 they turn the tables the next week and return the favor to Swansea. They are one of the bottom eight or so who find themselves fighting relegation but if they can get the points against the teams at the bottom then they are safe. Swansea on the other hand… not sure Michael Bradley had much of a chance to begin with when he took over this team. I still tip him to save the Swans though.

Stoke City drop points while Leicester City gain a crucial point. Stoke have among their best team in years yet aren’t really living up to potential. However I see them clicking and finding form throughout the rest of the season and can see them as a team no one wants to play on the road. Leicester City are just happy with their points as staying in the league is their only goal this season.

Sunderland got a crucial win against Watford and it moved them out of last. There’s something about Sunderland that they know how to just survive every year. Something I wish to apply to my own family’s Christmas this year.

Manchester United appear to be in form now and they’re really not that far out. A game behind Tottenham and two behind City. Should they be able to keep this run going they can make a decent shot at the top four. I’m calling it 50/50 at this point. We’ll see if Mourinho can work his magic. Pogba is beginning to really take over games and if they can feed Ibra i don’t see why they can’t pick up plenty of points.

Another week Arsenal take the lead, another week they lose 2-1. At times it appears as though Alexis Sanchez straps this team on his back and carry them as he did for the opening goal. However, just after half the Eric Andre lookalike Leroy Sane got his first City goal to draw level. Then De Bruyne had an expansive pass that gave Sterling much work to do. He quickly shifted his feet and went near post as David Silva appeared to at least hinder Petr Cech’s sight of the ball. Unfair goal but it stood and it appeared that as the game was going that City would’ve won anyway. This certainly shakes up the top 4!

Then Tottenham got back to winning ways as they felt United breathing down their necks. The following day saw the final game of match week 17 between Everton and visiting Liverpool for the Merseyside Derby. If it was skill and goals you were looking for look elsewhere. Tackles came crunching in and Ross Barley was lucky to stay on the pitch in the rivalry that has produced the most red cards of any Premier League fixture. Liverpool left it all late though as Mane scored off the post-bound shot of Sturridge in stoppage time. They moved up to second but it’s a distant second of 6 points behind leaders Chelsea.