1. Liverpool’s defence could yet cost them the title
DESPITE THE OBVIOUS pressures they had to deal with owing to all the hype prior to the game, Liverpool certainly showed few signs of nerves or hesitance in their attack play against Norwich today, scoring for the 25th game in succession in the first half, as they stormed into a 2-0 lead.
Nevertheless, down the other end of the pitch, it was a different story. The Reds constantly looked nervy at the back, particularly when having to cope with high balls into the box or set pieces.
Liverpool consequently conceded twice in the second half, with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet susceptible on at least one occasion, while the rest of their back four were far from assured at the best of times.
While the likes of Suarez and Sterling continue to work wonders in attack, it must be a big concern for Brendan Rodgers that his shaky defence can seldom be relied upon to keep a clean sheet — an issue that will give them cause for concern ahead of their all-important final three games.
2. Arsenal’s consistent ability to dismantle the weaker teams should not be dismissed
Arsenal earned a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Hull today to bring the Gunners a step closer to Champions League football.
The presence of Aaron Ramsey — the Welshman international only recently back from a long-term injury — clearly had an effect, with the 23-year-old breaking the deadlock as Arsene Wenger’s men patently outclassed the Tigers.
Arsenal’s weaknesses have been well documented in recent weeks, and they have deservedly been branded ‘flat-track bullies,’ yet when it comes to opening up inferior teams who like to sit back and frustrate, the Gunners arguably have the edge over many of their rivals.
Compared with, for instance, Chelsea, who have routinely come unstuck against lower-placed sides, Arsenal have shown an invaluable ability to unlock the stubborn defences they often come up against.
So far this season, they have dropped points on just three occasions against sides in the bottom half of the table — losing on the opening day against Aston Villa, and drawing with Swansea and West Brom. Jose Mourinho, for one, would look enviously at this record.
3. Norwich’s ignorance of Hoolahan is somewhat mystifying
(Wes Hoolahan didn’t even make Norwich’s squad today)
Norwich’s continual ignorance of one of their best creative stars — Ireland’s Wes Hoolahan — is more than a little surprising.
Not starting the experienced midfielder was, however, excusable — playing against the league leaders, they naturally would have prioritised defensive-minded players.
Yet to not even have the ex-Shels man on the bench seems more than a little surprising — the Canaries plainly could have done with the guile that the Irishman invariably provides when they desperately needed a goal late on.
Instead, they brought on Ricky van Wolfswinkel — the increasingly hapless Dutch striker who has managed just one goal in 24 Premier League appearances this season — and unsurprisingly, he conformed to stereotype and missed a glorious chance to equalise in the dying stages.
4. Champions League football no more for Red Devils*
Today’s 2-0 defeat to Everton — and it could have been four or five — has seen Manchester United lose 11 league games. It is their worst return since falling to 16 defeats in a 42-game season back in 1989/90. That season was also the last time they finished below Everton and the last time Liverpool won the league. United fans must believe the situation can not get any worse but the reigning champions continue to plumb new depths.
Everton were happy to sit back and allow United, playing very narrow, to stroke meaningless passes around. When they won possession back, they broke in numbers and at pace. United’s defence was meek, hesitant and terrible. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas caused them trouble all day. Jamie Carragher declared Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are not good enough to play together in central defence. It is hard to argue with the former Liverpool man. Champions League football officially deserted Moyes’ team today and the Europa League [a poisoned chalice, in truth] may be out of reach too.
5. Suarez the key to Liverpool’s success
Whether you love or hate Luis Suarez, and the striker occasionally does everything to encourage the latter sentiment, there is no denying that he has done more than anyone else on the pitch to inspire Liverpool’s title bid this season.
After scoring in Liverpool’s nervy 3-2 win over Norwich, the striker took his personally tally to 30 goals in 30 games.
“It is important for myself, but my target is to help the team every time. We are on the top now and we enjoy that,” he told Sky Sports after today’s game.
“Of course we are happy because those three points are important for us and we worked really hard today against Norwich,” he added.
Whether Suarez breaks the record remains to be seen, and is virtually irrelevant compared with the more pressing matter of the title race, however it would be the icing on the cake to what has been a phenomenal season for the Anfield club.
It’s amazing to think that a year ago today, he was public enemy number one, whereas he is now a Liverpool hero and the Player-of-the-Year-in waiting.
6. Seamus Coleman shines again*
Signed from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 by David Moyes, Seamus Coleman tormented his former boss at Goodison Park today. The right-back tore United to shreds up his right flank. Shinji Kagawa was a mere road-cone and Alex Buttner — fearful of his pace and sitting deep — had no answers. He constantly teed up chances for Lukaku and Steven Naismith and had two shots off target.
He set up Kevin Mirallas for the Toffees’ second goal and did not stop from the first until the last whistle and deservedly won the man-of-the-match. He is the league’s outstanding right-back and Ireland should seriously consider playing him in an advanced role as he is close to unstoppable in full, attacking flight.
*Additional reporting by Patrick McCarry
