Liverpool finally dropped out of the title race.
It was a damp squib of a run in for them. Drawing 2-2 away to the Hammers, Liverpool will rue a missed opportunity to give Klopp the send off he deserves. Maybe that was what caused the collapse; the pressure of Klopp's farewell. It certainly surprised me. I thought they would sweat blood for him. Nope. Instead we saw Salah having a right go at him on the sidelines as he prepared to come on. Later in the fan zone he alluded to his anger at Klopp. We can only presume it was because he was benched. Whatever it was it should have stayed in-house. It is such a pity that it should end this way. Both will long be remembered at Anfield, but not for this season nor last.
Arsenal put all the pressure onto City by going to North London rivals, Spurs, and taking all three points. The Gooners held off a strong Spurs fightback to win 2-3 and keep their title bid alive and kicking. City then had to go to Forest and win, which they duly did.
Winning 0-2, it was far from comfortable. Forest were on the front foot from the off. Chris Wood missed two sitters that Darwin Nuñez and Raheem Stirling would be proud of. City led 0-1 at the break and Pep made some changes. The second half was a little better and Haaland came back from injury to seal the points. Job done.
Arsenal entertain Bournemouth at the weekend and City host Wolves.
That should be three points all round for the contenders. The following weekend, City face a tricky tie at Fulham while Arsenal go to Old Trafford. Neither of those are gimmes, but I get the feeling that the title will be decided when City visit Spurs on Tuesday the 14th May. City have never won there under Pep and it is a clear bogey ground in the minds of the players. I hope for the sake of the league that the race goes the distance. Arsenal have played the most exciting football in England for the last two seasons and definitely deserve a title, but even after the stuttering start to the season and with so many players off form or injured City are still in the race. Who would bet against another City title now?
At the other end, Luton and Burnley look done for. Forest await the result of their appeal for the points deduction. If they win that they will probably stay up. If not, they still look the strongest of the three. Their performances of late have been very good, though they haven't taken many points. They face all ready relegated Sheff U at the weekend, then Chelsea. Their last game is against Burnley at Turf Moor. They'll want their place in next season's EPL secured before that one, while us neutrals won't!
Arsenal put all the pressure onto City by going to North London rivals, Spurs, and taking all three points. The Gooners held off a strong Spurs fightback to win 2-3 and keep their title bid alive and kicking. City then had to go to Forest and win, which they duly did.
Winning 0-2, it was far from comfortable. Forest were on the front foot from the off. Chris Wood missed two sitters that Darwin Nuñez and Raheem Stirling would be proud of. City led 0-1 at the break and Pep made some changes. The second half was a little better and Haaland came back from injury to seal the points. Job done.
Arsenal entertain Bournemouth at the weekend and City host Wolves.
That should be three points all round for the contenders. The following weekend, City face a tricky tie at Fulham while Arsenal go to Old Trafford. Neither of those are gimmes, but I get the feeling that the title will be decided when City visit Spurs on Tuesday the 14th May. City have never won there under Pep and it is a clear bogey ground in the minds of the players. I hope for the sake of the league that the race goes the distance. Arsenal have played the most exciting football in England for the last two seasons and definitely deserve a title, but even after the stuttering start to the season and with so many players off form or injured City are still in the race. Who would bet against another City title now?
At the other end, Luton and Burnley look done for. Forest await the result of their appeal for the points deduction. If they win that they will probably stay up. If not, they still look the strongest of the three. Their performances of late have been very good, though they haven't taken many points. They face all ready relegated Sheff U at the weekend, then Chelsea. Their last game is against Burnley at Turf Moor. They'll want their place in next season's EPL secured before that one, while us neutrals won't!
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Emma Hayes decision to preannounce her retirement has been as damaging for the Chelsea ladies as Klopp's has been for the Reds . Alonso's Leverkusen never cease to impress ; best side in Europe ? Pity they are not able to stop another C L for R Madrid . Maybe next season . City to take the title by a thin margin .
ReplyDeleteCity will take the title by a thin margin .