Another swashbuckling weekend of Premier League action is past us giving us a number of talking points to ponder over.
UNLIKELY THIRD HORSE IN A SUPPOSEDLY TWO-HORSE RACE
A lethargic but defiant Tottenham Hotspur once again managed to carve out a win in the absence of Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Despite having not strengthened in the last two transfer windows and also battling the above-mentioned absences, Mauricio Pochettino refuses to let Spurs’ season stutter.
The Lilywhites momentarily took the second spot before Manchester City reclaimed it with a win over Arsenal. But people have already branded this a two-horse race which perhaps has given Spurs an opportunity to operate without any added pressure. Liverpool are five points off second-placed City but Pep will be forced to have an eye over his shoulder with Pochettino determined to have a say in the title race this time around.
Spurs still have away matches remaining against Liverpool and City and there is every chance of those two fixtures determining which way the momentum will swing during the season run-in.
MANCHESTER UNITED MARCH ON
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten start to his stint at Old Trafford continued with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester City.
A minor blip against Burnley (a 2-2 draw) last week saw the 8-match winning streak come to an end but they made it 9 wins out of 10 after bagging all 3 points against the Foxes.
United are now ahead of Arsenal by a point and just 2 points off Chelsea who will face Manchester City this week.
Thus, there is every chance that the Red Devils might find themselves inside the Top 4 for the first time this season by the end of the week.
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford’s excellent form continued while David de Gea was again on the top of his game.
ARSENAL’S AWAY FORM COULD COST THEM A TOP 4 PLACE
Arsenal’s woeful away form continued with the 1-3 loss to defending champions Manchester City.
The Gunners last won an away game at a Top 6 side way back in 2015, which was incidentally against City. They have collected 7 out of a possible 63 points over the four years.
And the malaise is not just restricted to failure to win at the quintessential Top 6 only as Unai Emery has not won an away game this season since November.
With the cut-throat competition on display, there needs to be a quick turnaround if the Gunners hope to remain in the contention to finish amongst the Champions League places this season.