Weeks 19-20

 




















Key Results

Chelsea 4 - 2 Stoke City
In week 19 Chelsea continued to cruise at the top. Now, one of my main criticisms was that Chelsea never looked like they could win in a shoot out. They were eeking out 1-0 or 2-0 wins for a while. This time they proved they proved that they could simply outscore their opponents. Their biggest hurdle to the title now is Chinese billionaires buying out their team in the January transfer window.

Burnley 4 - 1 Sunderland
Burnley are finding their own ways to get points. Most importantly they are finding ways to get points against the other teams around the relegation zone. They currently sit 8 points above relegation and I see them easily staying afloat for another season.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Manchester City
Liverpool struck early through an unlikely outlet: a Gini Wijnaldum header on a counter-attack. From there on out it was missed shots and half chances. Most importantly for the Merseysiders it was a win and a clean sheet. For City it leaves a lot of questions. I think it’s much too early to start judging Pep Guardiola. That said his results with City feed the narrative that he has not really built his own team before. He has always inherited a great one. It’s explicitly clear not that Man City will have to be rebuilt and Pep already has many heads lined up for the ax.

West Brom 3 - 1 Hull City.
Perhaps the seasons most unlikely narrative: Where would Hull City be without Robert Snodgrass. His brilliance was not enough to save this sinking ship as bottom dwellers Hull were swept off the pitch after taking a 1-0 lead to halftime. They proceeded to concede twice from corners and defended poorly for the third. It’s a team that lacks fundamentals and that’s where new boss Marco Silva will have to start with less than half a season left. Hull look utterly doomed as they manage to make a mess of things even on a good day.

Bournemouth 3 - 3 Arsenal
Well Arsenal find themselves down by 3 on the road and come back to rescue a point. After the game Arsene Wenger said that his team was tired due to run of fixtures but no team that is exhausted comes back from 3-0 and levels it. Perhaps a lack of energy to start the match sure. Even with the result Arsenal find themselves outside the top 4 and below Tottenham.

Swansea City 2 - 1 Crystal Palace
Swansea City find a way to get their 3 points after a majorly disappointing and rocky season. This one’s big as it also pulls Crystal Palace closer to relegation. There are now 4 distinct teams in and around relegation and only one will survive.

Liverpool 2 - 2 Sunderland
Liverpool played their 2nd game in 3 days and they looked ragged. Despite creating chances they allowed Sunderland into this with 2 penalties. A draw counts but at the top of the table only wins will keep you afloat.

Tottenham 2-0 Chelsea
Liverpool were helped out though by a Chelsea loss. Suddenly Tottenham have come out of nowhere and find themselves in third. They’ve found found form like last season and if they can make it last may just give another title run.