1. New-look Potters a joy to watch
MARK HUGHES MAY have been written off as a failure at Manchester City, but the Welshman deserves huge credit for re-inventing Stoke City.
When he took over from Tony Pulis, the Potters were a solid unit that was horrible to play against, particularly at the Britannia Stadium, due to the sheer physicality throughout the team.
Hughes has gone about changing their style over the past two years and his front four today epitomised just how far they have come.
With Glenn Whelan and Geoff Cameron sitting in midfield, Stoke started a quartet Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay, Marko Arnautovic and Bojan Krkic — opting to leave Jon Walters on the bench.
And while all have been on the books at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, they are certainly not living off their reputations.
Shaqiri was the star man, providing two assists, while Arnautovic took his goals brilliantly and Bojan played exceptionally as they produced some wonderful, free-flowing football to get the better of a stuttering City side.
2. Foxes return to the top
It had to come to an end sometime, didn’t it.
Having overtaken Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jamie Vardy went into this afternoon’s league meeting with Swansea City aiming to score in his 12th consecutive league game.
That wasn’t to be, meaning former the Football League record of former Ireland and Sheffield United forward Jimmy Dunne remains intact.
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri won’t have been too bothered about the name on the scoresheet, however, as Riyad Mahrez continued his incredible season with a hat-trick at the Liberty Stadium.
With Manchester City dropping points, that allowed the Foxes to return to the top of the table.
They host Chelsea next with the reigning champions currently languishing in 14th — another example of just how crazy this season has been.
3. Lack of goals still a problem for United
0-0, 0-0, 2-0, 1-0, 0-0, 0-0.
That is how Manchester United’s last six results at home (in all competitions) read.
With just 10 goals conceded in the league all season, you can’t argue that Louis van Gaal has built a solid team defensively. But it is down the other end that is proving problematic, much to the frustration of fans.
With Marouane Fellaini coming in for out-of-form captain Wayne Rooney, sat in the stand due to injury, United recorded 20 shots over 90-odd minutes against West Ham but managed just one on target.
They dominated possession once again (63%) and Van Gaal insisted afterwards that “the goals are coming”, but question marks remain as they dropped to fourth.
4. Hornets double act continue to impress
If Watford stay up this season, their strike partnership will have had a big say in it.
Front two Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney both found the back of the net as the Hornets picked up a win over Norwich.
Captain Deeney was on target in his fourth consecutive match while it was Nigerian forward Ighalo’s 25th club goal of the calendar year.
Manager Quique Flores is well aware of their importance and said after the final whistle: ”Odion Igahlo is not just scoring goals but he is also supporting the offensive system with Troy Deeney and is creating chances too.
“The players here have been really focused since the beginning of the season.”
5. More misery for Chelsea
Just when it looked as though Chelsea were beginning to get their act together, along comes another unexpected defeat.
Bournemouth, promoted to the top flight for the first time this season, joined Man City Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton, West Ham, Liverpool and Stoke in taking three points off the reigning champions this season.
Eight defeats, four wins and three draws will make for depressing reading for Jose Mourinho and while Chelsea are only three points off the relegation places, 14 now separates them and the top four.
From an Irish point of view, Harry Arter featured in the Premier League for the fifth time since regaining his fitness and was excellent as he completed his first 90 minutes of the season.
