Week 25

 



Arsene Wenger looked like Georges Clemenceau in the stands as all he could do was stand back and watch at the moment of battle. The question with this team is who will step up when Arsene needs them the most? Apparently the answer to that is that no one gives their full body for him, just a hand. Apparently the ref apologized before the end of the game saying that the ball that went off of Alexis’ hand should not have been allowed. I’ve hear much deliberation, including many pundits who say that the goal should stand as it was un-intentional and therefore a goal by law. To me when you’re right in front of the goal and you kick it off your hand and in then it should not be a goal. Period. Apparently the only other players hand to step up for him was Sam Clucas’ as his late red card for hand ball on the line gave Arsenal a penalty that was cooly converted by Alexis Sanchez.

Southampton swept aside Sunderland 4-0 and Manolo Gabbiadini scored a brace in his second game for them. That brings his total to 3 goals in two games and at about $15 mil he looks real quality. Just the type of smart, quality move that Southampton will surely send to Liverpool for twice the price in a couple years. For Southampton it puts them firmly in mid-table. For Sunderland this kind of result obviously isn’t good but they wont’ be disheartened. They sit bottom but they know that they have to go for a win in every game they play. They somehow manage to do it every year, why not this one too?

Liverpool fear playing teams at the bottom like Sunderland. But against they top 6 they have the best record in the league. That continued this week and Liverpool ran rampant over Tottenham. Or more accurately, Sadio Mané ran rampant. He went clear through on his first goal as his pace could not be matched before perfect balance allowed him to convert. Then sheer luck as Lloris saved two consecutive shots and the final ball fell to Mané who still had to rifle it past 2 defenders on the goal line. Certainly points against the top of the table are important but Liverpools achilles heel is still bottom sides that park the bus.

Chelsea have a lot of room for error now. Although you’d normally expect Chelsea to sweep aside Burnley, Burnley have been quality this year. With an 8 point gap it certainly makes the title race more interesting. What did we learn from this result? Chelsea are susceptible on set pieces. That said scoring more than 1 goal against them has been difficult. So Chelsea know they don’t have to blow people out, they can continue getting a few goals each match and still comfortably be champions. I wouldn’t expect a Rocky movie-esque finish to the season is what i’m trying to say.

Apollo Creed got a comfortable win against an opponent you’d expect them to beat. Although they are downplaying a title chase they are certainly in it if no one else. Even if they don’t catch Chelsea they will see all the positives in this season, namely the coming of age of many young stars. At the moment it seems like the league’s best forward Sergio Aguero may find himself on the outside of this squad over the summer. Baffling. That said, there are holes in this squad and i expect them to be filled the City way: money. I think next year, and certainly by 2 years, City will have the best squad and the best manager in England.