Matchweek 17 whooshed past us leaving trails of brilliance, a heavy dose of mediocrity and strengthening the premonition of players in Red jerseys lifting the Premier League trophy come the end of the season.
Let us take a look at the 5 talking points from the Premier League action over the weekend.
There’s no stopping Liverpool
Liverpool went about business as usual, unhindered by any outside noise made by football or otherwise.
They went 10 points clear at the top with ‘The Accidental Challengers’ Leicester City dropping points against Norwich City.
And going by the design of the season, Liverpool will be away on Club World Cup duties on a weekend when Manchester City and Leicester will be bickering between themselves for the second spot.
So win-win and some more ‘win’ for Liverpool for the time being.
Reality hits Chelsea
Jose Mourinho was brutally trolled for his comments on Chelsea’s start to the season.
Chelsea were cruising past the so-called minnows but were failing to get points against the top 6 sides which prompted then-pundit Jose to put across his worried state of mind regarding Chelsea affairs.
“After the first weekend I was worried – I am still worried” ?
Jose Mourinho praises the job Frank Lampard has done at Chelsea – but is worried about their performances in big games this season pic.twitter.com/g9h5sHu1ly
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019
But his comments have been vindicated since as Frank Lampard’s honeymoon period is well and truly over. Their malaise against top clubs has spread to games against beatable sides as well and suddenly Lampard looks at current form and sees 4 losses in the last 5 matches in the league.
There will be transfer business in January though which will hopefully help Super Frankie to stabilise things and ensure a strong second half of the season.
Manuel Pellegrini hangs onto his job
2 wins and a draw in their last 10 league games is a sackable form as far as Premier League managers are concerned, especially if the team is West Ham United who have pulled all stops to get the required players for Pellegrini.
Yes, they are a player or two short in defensive midfield and centre-back but much much more should be and was expected under the Chilean.
He is perilously close to the sack but a win this weekend keeps him at the London Stadium for a couple of weeks more.
Everton’s revival continues
Wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City led many to believe that Ole has finally shifted to automatic from stick in the vehicle in which he is apparently ‘at the wheel’.
But it was back to first gear against a rejuvenated Everton side who followed their tremendous win against Chelsea last week with a brave and slightly unlucky draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It is Arsenal up next and as things stand, it will be two interim managers pitting their wits against one another but to the naked eye, Arsenal are there for the taking.
How long before Arsenal press the REBOOT button?
And speaking of Arsenal, they are a shambles.
Manchester City could have put out any side on the pitch yesterday and the result would probably have been the same.
Harsh reading for an Arsenal fan but the signs are obvious and there was an eerie acceptance of the current state of affairs at Emirates yesterday. The who’s who at the club and there are quite a few, need to join hands/fingers and press the reboot button as soon as possible which should have been the case immediately after Arsene Wenger had left.
A new defence is needed, reinforcements in midfield and a credible manager. Easier said than done but if they were to do it at any point in the club’s history, it is NOW.
