Martinez needs to look at himself
Roberto Martinez is angry again. The Everton manager is never shy in pointing the finger at officials after perceived mistakes during Everton games. Tonight, the Toffees boss is justifiably fuming in the wake of John Terry’s late, late and very offside equaliser.
That’s more than understandable but Martinez needs to take a look at himself and his side. Everton have now conceded 32 goals and lie in 11th. At the back they have the look of Martinez’s Wigan side — who were ultimately relegated because they couldn’t or wouldn’t defend.
The Spaniard’s time would be best spent working with his back five, rather than again looking to others’ mistakes, right?
Swansea may well rue selling Jonjo Shelvey to a relegation rival
Swansea didn’t play this afternoon — they face Watford on Monday night — but it was still a bad day’s work for the Welsh side.
The struggling Liberty Stadium side sold Jonjo Shelvey to Newcastle in midweek for around £12million and it already looks like a mistake.
The former Liverpool midfielder ran the show in the Magpies’ midfield and helped them to a big win over West Ham at St James’ Park. It was his long raking pass that led to the home side’s second goal and he looked at home in a midfield that’s lacked a passer since Yohann Cabaye packed his bags for Paris.
Newcastle now lie in 17th, two points clear of the relegation zone… and Swansea City in 18th.
Aguero fires and Man City look ominous
In a wide-open Premier League season, the difference at the top could come down to one fact; Manchester City have Sergio Aguero.
The Argentine striker has had a season pock-marked by frustrating injuries but when he plays he’s usually deadly. Arguably, one of a handful of truly world class players in the league these days, if Manuel Pellegrini bows out out Manchester with a second title win, he’ll have Aguero to thank.
Today he struck two goals — one either side of the break — as they beat Crystal Palace 4-0 at home. If they can keep him fit for the rest of the year, Arsenal and any other title hopefuls will do well to deny him another medal.
Will the likes of Palace revert to the mean in the second half of the season
This has had the feel of the wild west and it’s been hugely entertaining. The old laws and ways have not been respected by the so called smaller sides. Crystal Palace, West Ham, Watford, Leicester and even Stoke have played with creativity, bravery and a lack of respect for the big boys.
Will that feeling continue for all of the above though? It would be easy for players in those squads to, consciously or otherwise, rest on their laurels with safety secured. Palace lost to a dismal Villa side in midweek and were well off the pace at the Etihad earlier. Watford are wobbling and West Ham come away from Newcastle this evening with nothing.
It will be interesting to see which teams revert to the mean in the second half of the season or if more can follow the Foxes’ lead and hang on in there.
