1. Stalemates for all top three teams
A draw away to Southampton mean that Chelsea failed to increase their advantage over the two Manchester clubs. Or did draws for City and United mean they missed an advantage to close the gap on Chelsea?
From City’s point of view the latter is certainly the case. After first half goals from David Silva and Fernandinho put them into a comfortable lead it looked as if it would only be a question of how many they would win by.
That never materialised however as George Boyd and Ashley Barnes managed to peg the champions back and Sean Dyche’s side held on for an invaluable point that sees them move closer to the relegation zone exit door.
City could have cut the gap at the top to a solitary point but, as it stands, it remains at three as we head into the new year.
For United it was a litany of missed chances in the first-half that saw them fail to score for the first time in eight games. Louis van Gaal’s side have now only picked up 11 points from a possible 27 on the road this season, something that must be a worry for the Dutchman. Indeed it is somewhat of a change from last season where United struggled more at Old Trafford.
A strong Southampton performance saw them take the lead against Chelsea before eventually holding on for a very valuable point that sees them just cling on to fourth place at the halfway point.
Everton continue to flounder
In twelfth place and only five points above the relegation zone it’s fair to say that it has been a disastrous first half of the season for The Toffees.
Another loss today, against a Newcastle team coming off the back of three consecutive defeats, whispers of a disaster at Goodison Park.
The problem for Roberto Martinez is obvious; 11 first-team squad members are over the age of 30 and they have all featured in a matchday squad this season.
It’s a well-known fact that Everton are never one of the most active sides during the transfer window but that will have to change come January. 37-year-old Sylvain Distin has struggled hugely at centre-back all season and needs to be replaced quick. Veterans Tony Hibbert and Tim Howard have also looked susceptible to mistakes, contributing to the 27 goals Everton have shipped this season — only QPR (32) and Leicester (29) have conceded more.
The Merseyside club certainly won’t be battling relegation come May but they won’t be contending for a Champions League spot either, unless some fresh faces are brought in next month.
Is Alan Irvine’s time up at West Brom?
A torrent of abuse and calls for his departure was what greeted Alan Irvine after his side slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Stoke this afternoon.
The loss, their third in a row, sees the Baggies sitting only a point above the murky depths of the relegation zone.
Irvine said again today that he isn’t sure of his future himself but said that he wants to carry on.
I want to still do this job and I want to see it turning around, and that is not going to change. I can understand fans expressing that frustration. That is the nature of the job. If anyone is to take it, I am the person that is standing there. I stand out there and I don’t hide – I’m there to be shot at. And, obviously, ultimately, I make the final decisions so certainly I’m prepared to take the criticism.
If West Brom are going to turn their season around the time to do it is now as they don’t face any of the top four teams until the last day of February. But with only four points picked up from a possible 27 in their last nine games it doesn’t look like fortunes are going at The Hawthorns.
Arsenal on the move
After the disastrous loss away to Stoke at the start of December Arsenal have turned things around somewhat, picking up three wins in their last four games — the only dropped points coming thanks to a late goal against Liverpool.
Thanks to today’s win at Upton Park the Gunners have moved above West Ham, only short of the Champions League places on goal difference. That hurdle is one that can be cleared on New Year’s Day when they make the trip to St Mary’s to take on Southampton.
It might surprise you to hear that it’s Arsenal’s seventh win in nine games in all competitions, given the fact that it’s gone somewhat unnoticed thanks to the trip to the Brittania Stadium as well as the drama at Anfield.
If Arsene Wenger’s side can beat Southampton on Thursday they will climb above into fourth, and could even catch third-placed Manchester United were The Reds to slip up at Stoke.
Crisis? What crisis?
Leicester prevail in relegation six-pointer
It was a first win in 14 games for Nigel Pearson’s side, a run that included 11 defeats, and one of which it’s importance shouldn’t be downplayed.
Despite only having 39 percent of the ball and clinging on for the final minutes as Hull bombarded the Leicester defence they managed to hold on to move to within a win of safety.
It was a game that had all of the signs of a relegation six-pointer as Paul Konchesky and Stephen Quinn were both dismissed during the final stages.
The loss drags Hull further into the mire as things really begin to tighten up at the bottom with just five points separating the bottom six clubs.
Given that four of those clubs picked up points today and will therefore go into New Year’s Day with confidence it could be a grim start to 2015 for Steve Bruce’s side.
