Manchester City lost four crucial league points in one week, while their title competitor United scored the maximum six. The champions were held to a goalless draw by Queens Park Rangers, a disappointing result which was followed by another draw at Etihad Stadium when they played with Liverpool. Edin Džeko and Daniel Sturridge scored in the first half, while Agüero’s second half goal had cancelled out the equally superb strike from Steven Gerrard to make it 2-2. Roberto Mancini insisted that they still had the chance to win the league. Theoretically he has a point, since Manchester United’s lead is only nine points with 13 games remaining. But as the Red Devil’s outstanding consistency keeps going, it would be really difficult for Manchester City to win the league.
Agüero scored a superb strike against Liverpool to salvage a draw for City.
If Manchester United won the league this May, the story would tell that they win it at the attack. Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández played at their best in turn, making Manchester United extremely hard to defend. The Red Devil’s trip to Craven Cottage was jeopardized by a blackout that lasted for ten minutes and the game almost finished in a goalless draw. But it was Wayne Rooney who salvaged the Red Devils, with his late goal led to a tough win. In the last two games, Rooney scored all three goals for United to earn the maximum points. With strikers as prolific as Rooney and Van Persie, City’s title hope seems diminishing.
Chelsea is losing their third position in the league during an awful run of six games, in which they only won twice. The blues was held to draw by Southampton and Reading. The away game at Newcastle United was a disaster, as Demba Ba’s former team scored a late winning goal. It is reported that the interim manager Rafa Benítez’s tenure might be finished even before the season is over. The Blues are now only one point clear off Tottenham Hotspur, and five points off Arsenal. With more than four clubs fighting for two top four spots, the European qualification competition is likely more breath taking than the title race.
Moussa Sissoko’s transfer makes Newcastle United more likely to survive.
Newcastle United’s winter transfer is remarkable and shrewd. Earlier in the transfer window, Demba Ba’s departure almost led to a meltdown in the Magpie. However, as Alan Pardew’s strong French scouting network brought in players such as Yoan Gouffran, Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko, the team is now regrouped successfully. The value of Moussa Sissoko, the 1.7m coup from Toulouse was quickly proved as the midfielder stroke twice in the game against Chelsea. Newcastle United won both games in the last week, making them more likely to survive in the Premier League this season.
