Manchester City passed the baton to Manchester United, but the Red Devils failed to catch it. There comes a time in the Premier League where each week is a mind game between the top two sides. Last weekend, the Blue Moon relieved the burden first by a win against bottom club Reading. However the win wasn’t easy, with Gareth Barry’s controversial goal in added time finally locking in all three points. The very next day, a resilient Swansea side ambushed Manchester United. Michu’s 13th league goal offset Evra’s third header this season, and the game ended with a disappointing 1-1 draw. The Blue Moon narrowed the gap on the leader, with only four points separating them.
Chelsea’s dazzling performance against Aston Villa created eight goals in a late kick-off game on Sunday. Fernando Torres continued his form by opening the team’s goal account. His powerful header started the slaughter, while six other players in blue managed to ink their names on the scoreboard. Chelsea is now 11 points behind Manchester United, but with one game in hand. They are still a long shot for the League title.
Chelsea celebrates the eight-goal thriller
Arsenal may be the team that has shown us the biggest improvement in their table position. Although struggling with crisis this season, the Gunners quietly got their third win in a row. Theo Walcott, whose long-term future is uncertain, created the controversial penalty which Mikel Arteta converted. With Tottenham Hotspur’s draw, as well as dark horse West Bromwich’s outstanding early season form being recently disrupted, Arsenal climbed to the fourth position.
Liverpool, a club currently in transition, might see some light at the end of their dark tunnel. They beat a dreadful Fulham 4-0 at home. The Cottagers have only registered one win on the road this season – their away form is shocking. Despite the winter transfer window being yet to open, Liverpool has finished two deals already because of their desperate need to bring in more strikers. Chelsea’s fringe player Daniel Sturridge has undergone a medical at Merseyside, while Thomas Ince is another player on the way to Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Boxing Day game against West Ham United has been postponed due to the London Underground workers strike, but nine other games will be dished out on Boxing Day together with the leftover turkey. My pick of them would be Liverpool’s away game with their bogey team Stoke City. With the Potters solid defense at home, it will be interesting to see what Brendan Rodger’s tactical plan is for the game.
A drab draw in the first Liverpool-Stoke encounter this season was not a happy memory for Rodgers
