So, with the top two and the bottom three in the premier League practically nailed on all attention turned to the race for the last two ECL and Europa League spots. Whoever can put together a winning run at this stage of the season will take the prizes.
First up was Leicester at home to Newcastle on Friday evening and it was a chance for Brendan and his Foxes to put down a marker. They failed miserably, going 4-0 down before recovering to lose 4-2 against an average Newcastle team. The Foxes look like repeating last year's feat of throwing it all away in the last games having played well all season and putting themselves in the box seat.
Next up was a poor Spurs side losing to Leeds which all but ends their chance of European football next season. And to think they believe they deserve to play at the top table every season without qualifying! Then Chelsea made a giant leap in securing an ECL spot by beating City. With City 1-0 up and dominating Aguero tried a Panenka style penalty and chipped the ball into a grateful Mendy's arms. The Chelsea response after the break was to score two and win a game they should have lost and put down a marker for the ECL final in a few weeks. Liverpool rounded off the day by beating Southampton to keep alive their ECL aspirations. If they win their game in hand they will be 3 points off fourth with three games to play.
Finally, Sunday saw the Toffees beat West Ham which keeps Everton's hopes of Europe alive and seriously dented the Hammers drive to finish in the top four. A Calvert-Lewin goal was enough to give three points to the Scousers. So, on current form it looks like Chelsea will take a ECL spot and the last one will be fought over by Leicester, Liverpool and West Ham, with all three capable of imploding. Leicester and Liverpool are struggling for consistency and both have to play away to Man U next week while the Hammers face an easy task, on paper, at Brighton. An Everton win at Villa will give them hope of nicking the Europa League spot.
Next up was a poor Spurs side losing to Leeds which all but ends their chance of European football next season. And to think they believe they deserve to play at the top table every season without qualifying! Then Chelsea made a giant leap in securing an ECL spot by beating City. With City 1-0 up and dominating Aguero tried a Panenka style penalty and chipped the ball into a grateful Mendy's arms. The Chelsea response after the break was to score two and win a game they should have lost and put down a marker for the ECL final in a few weeks. Liverpool rounded off the day by beating Southampton to keep alive their ECL aspirations. If they win their game in hand they will be 3 points off fourth with three games to play.
Finally, Sunday saw the Toffees beat West Ham which keeps Everton's hopes of Europe alive and seriously dented the Hammers drive to finish in the top four. A Calvert-Lewin goal was enough to give three points to the Scousers. So, on current form it looks like Chelsea will take a ECL spot and the last one will be fought over by Leicester, Liverpool and West Ham, with all three capable of imploding. Leicester and Liverpool are struggling for consistency and both have to play away to Man U next week while the Hammers face an easy task, on paper, at Brighton. An Everton win at Villa will give them hope of nicking the Europa League spot.
It really is all to play for and it is impossible to predict what will happen, but for sure there will be twists and turns. The best thing about it is that there should be some fans in the stadiums to witness it and provide some much-needed atmosphere.
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports. |
It is just a battle for the other teams to make the top four - City have the title. Was glad for Newcastle. Would like to see them do better than being perennial strugglers.
ReplyDeleteSpurs are so pretentious - they would certainly have done better with Poch at the helm. There has been no improvement since. Good to see Thiago score for Liverpool. Good goal at that
Newcastle will continue to struggle until Ashley sells up. I really liked them in the Sir Bobby/Keegan years. They were a great watch.
ReplyDeleteThey were a great watch but blew it in the season where it was theirs for the taking
DeleteMy top four 🔮 in sep was
ReplyDelete1. LFC. 2. City. 3. Chelsea .
4. M U.
The Reds title defence was that of an exhausted team, similar to Dortmund's seventh spot in 2015. The gap between Lfc & Utd is as wide as during the A F era. The remedy is to sell 7 players & buy a similar number. The Foxes will finish fourth, Lille & Atletico will win their respective leagues.
Lfc, Everton, Hammers will qualify for Europa 1 & 2 # Thursday / Sunday ⚽
Big win there for the Foxes, not looking good for the Scousers!
ReplyDeleteit hasn't looked good for them for a while
DeleteOur young side has been given new impetus with the Teutonic Tuchel leading us!
ReplyDeleteWe will be stronger next year but hopefully we can nick the CL, we do well in cups historically. Fingers crossed!
Mike Ashley should be shot. Just saying.