1. Herrera making his mark for United
ANDER HERRERA HAS had to be patient under Louis van Gaal but the Spaniard is gradually becoming a key player for Manchester United.
His two goals were the difference against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, but putting his direct contribution to the scoreline aside, this was another very accomplished performance from the 25-year-old midfielder.
He’s looking more comfortable at United with each passing game, and with Van Gaal’s side overtaking Manchester City into third, they’re now well-placed heading into the final seven fixtures, having won their last five Premier League games on the trot.
Comparisons with Paul Scholes are premature, but if United are to continue in this vein of form, Ander Herrera is likely to play a pivotal role between now and the end of the campaign.
- Paul Dollery
2. Liverpool not good enough for top four
After losing star striker Luis Suarez, Liverpool had what was — by most accounts — a disastrous start to this season.
Nevertheless, they appeared to have turned a corner, after Brendan Rodgers saw his side go 13 matches unbeaten in the league following their 3-0 loss to Man United back in December.
However, with the pressure on, the Reds have been exposed to a degree.
“I very much doubt we’ll be in the top four come the end of the season,” commented Rodgers after this afternoon’s emphatic loss to Arsenal.
And indeed, on the evidence of their last two league matches — in which they have been well beaten by two of their biggest rivals for a top-four spot — it is hard to argue that the Anfield club deserve a place in the Champions League next season.
- Paul Fennessy
3. Chelsea look home and hosed
Today’s hard-fought 2-1 win at home to Stoke means Chelsea now need just 16 points — in other words, five wins and a draw — from their final eight games to be guaranteed the Premier League title.
Looking at the Londoners’ remaining fixtures, it seems fair to suggest that their matches can be separated into two separate categories — the ostensibly difficult games against Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool — and the rest, which they would be strong favourites to win.
Some fairly simple calculating will tell you that of their three big games, they can afford to lose two and draw one, and still be on course to win the title provided they beat the so-called lesser teams.
Of course, this is easier said than done, as Chelsea will know — last season, a loss at home to Sunderland late in the season effectively ended their title hopes, while Man United infamously blew an eight-point lead with six games to play, enabling Man City to win the 2011-12 Premier League.
That said, even if Mourinho’s men lose more than two matches, one of their rivals will need to maintain a near-perfect record to triumph.
Although Arsenal’s form has been particularly impressive of late, even their late-season push appears too little too late to make a decisive impact on the title race.
- Paul Fennessy
4. Hull, Villa and Sunderland can’t afford to relax yet
The relegation battle was looking set to be a little anti-climactic recently, however two of the bottom three winning today has made things interesting, while 19th place Burnley have an opportunity to make it three from three when they host Tottenham tomorrow.
Moreover, the nature of both relegation-threatened teams’ victories should prove decidedly morale-boosting, with Leicester securing an impressive last-minute win over ninth place West Ham, after substitute Andy King’s dramatic 86th-minute goal, while QPR’s three points were far more comfortable, as they put four past West Brom.
It puts the pressure on Sunderland in particular, as the Black Cats prepare to host Newcastle in the 4pm game tomorrow, with a loss or draw potentially sending them into the relegation zone depending on what happens at Turf Moor.
Villa — who were looking safe after new boss Tim Sherwood oversaw a couple of wins early in his tenure — could yet be dragged into proceedings, while Hull’s deserved loss to Swansea was a reminder that the Tigers are hardly much better than their current position suggests.
- Paul Fennessy
5. Criticism of James McCarthy over the top
(James McCarthy has played an important role in Everton’s improvement of late)
James McCarthy has come in for no shortage of criticism from certain sections of the Irish media of late.
And granted, McCarthy could impose himself more on the game at times, particularly when playing for Ireland.
That said, he finished last week’s game against Poland as strongly as anyone, showing the kind of energy and tough-tackling ability that he is often accused of lacking.
Manager Roberto Martinez staunchly defended his player in the wake of recent criticism, arguing that Everton are “not the same team” without McCarthy and adding: “I see that James McCarthy, at such a young age, has incredible, incredible experience, is a massive asset for us and for me he is an incredible asset to have in any football team.”
Evidence on the pitch seems to back up Martinez’s words, at least to an extent, with Everton looking much better since the midfielder’s return following an injury that caused him to miss a large portion of this season.
Today, as the Toffees beat Southampton 1-0, McCarthy helped Everton retain a defensive solidity throughout, and impressed in a slightly more advanced role than usual, consequently showing that he may not be such a ‘flop’ after all.
- Paul Fennessy
