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Liverpool won their eighth successive game in the League to claim top spot whilst the rest of the top four couldn't manage victory between them. At the bottom, another defeat for Fulham and Sunderland leaves him adrift even further.Here are the five major talking points from the weekend's fixtures.
#1 There is a new word reverberating around Anfield
For the past two decades, at the start of each League campaign, Liverpool fans have been hoping that their side might end their title drought. But each season, they have disappointed. It is not just that they haven’t won it, but haven’t even come close.
This season as well, they started with the same hope, but with less than half a dozen games to go in the campaign, it seems as though that hope is being replaced by expectation. With 35 points out of a possible 39 and having won eight games on the bounce, Liverpool are now in pole position to claim the title.
The hope that they would win has been eclipsed by the expectation that they will beat sides like Spurs. The intensity of their attack has been staggering and with the fans expecting the side to win at home, the clashes against Manchester City and Chelsea look a lot less threatening given their formidable form.
For the first time in a very long time, there is a growing expectation that Liverpool will not relinquish their spot and will finally reclaim what the fans believe is rightfully theirs.
#2 From villain to hero in a matter of days
When Mathieu Flamini arrived late to meet Lukas Podolski’s cross to give Arsenal a well-deserved equalizer, the home fans were jumping in jubilation and a hope that their side might still be in the race for the title. That was in stark contrast to what happened barely a few days ago, when, with the final whistle almost upon them, the Frenchman squirted the ball past his own goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, to give the Swans a last-gasp equalizer and the stadium breathed a collective.
Whilst his volley might not have put them back in the title race, it was a moment that epitomized the Gunners’ defiance and mental strength. For many would have wilted under the pressure exerted by City in the first half. But, the Gunners showed that they are resilient and retaliated with a response that wasn’t in line with recent tribulations.
And the man heading the charge was the same man who was the villain barely a few days ago.
#3 Jay Rodriguez - Bound for Brazil?
Name the English forward with the most League goals this season. It is of course, Daniel Sturridge. But second on that list is Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez, who has 15 League goals this campaign, level with Wayne Rooney. On current form, alongside Rooney and Sturridge, Rodriguez has been the best England has to offer in the striking department.
The 24-year-old is one of the most versatile forwards on show, with his ability to play on the left or through the middle. He can score too as was evident from his brace against Newcastle, which took his season’s tally to 17. He is quick, versatile, a fox-in-the-box and is getting better each week.
After his underwhelming England debut in November, Rodriguez hasn’t let the criticism get to him and has only gotten better. If the players to Brazil are picked purely on form, there are few better English forwards, than Rodriguez.
Roy Hodgson, are you watching?
#4 A long summer in store for David Moyes
Few would dispute that this is a transitional year for Manchester United. There are some glaring gaps in the squad that need addressing. But even then, to be 17 points off top spot isn’t something many would have foreseen, especially having won the League so comfortably last time around.
Their victory at the weekend against Aston Villa now made it five games in which United have alternated between victory and defeat. Two humiliating defeats at home have come either side of victories over West Ham, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Whilst Juan Mata scored and Shinji Kagawa impressed, injuries in defence meant that it wasn’t a great day in the office for the Manchester United manager.
As has been the case all season, Saturday was just one step forward after taking two steps back. But with a relatively easy final six games, in which only Everton (away) are above them in the League, Moyes will be looking to finish with a final flourish and make his summer rebuilding job a more palatable prospect.
#5 Relegation battle still hanging by a thread
Crucial home victories for Swansea and Crystal Palace, coupled with defeats for Sunderland and Fulham means that the relegation battle is still on, although it might just be over the latter. Sunderland’s loss against West Ham continued their Monday night blues and condemned Poyet’s men to their third successive loss while Fulham made it four losses in their last five games to stay rock bottom.
However, Norwich lost and Cardiff drew with West Brom, which meant neither side were able to take advantage of it. With Fulham looking down and out, Sunderland’s games in hand will prove to be vital and the relegation battle which has been raging all season might just go into the final day.
