Jai Singh takes a look at how this week’s Premier League action unfolded.
United Fall Short Against Top Opposition
The blockbuster fixture of the weekend saw Chelsea take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. A draw did neither side anything, as Chelsea looked to break into the top 4 and United looked to close the gap on City. However, like many big games this season including Manchester United, the game ended in a stalemate. Neither side created enough chances to win the game, and a draw was
probably the fairest result.
The worrying thing for Manchester United fans was the fact it was another big game without a goal.
Whether it be stage fright, or an attempt to ensure the game it isn’t lost, it is the results in these big games that will be the eventual reason why they have been unable to sustain a serious title challenge this season. It is an area that Ole will be looking to improve on next season to bring the title back to the red side of Manchester.
Are Brighton a good side?
A fixture that took place at the other end of the table was Brighton travelling to West Brom. The home side took all 3 points, but for a 1-0 game there was plenty of drama. Brighton missed a bag full of chances, two penalties, and had what seemed a perfectly good goal disallowed (thanks VAR.)
The result was and the way the game played out was one that Brighton fans are all too familiar with. They constantly create good chances, and give up very little to the opposition, but yet find themselves once again in a relegation scrap. That begs the question, are they a good side. Everything box-to-box is fantastic, and Graham Potter has an average side on paper playing excellent football. Yet, they very rarely find the net when it matters.
Personally, I feel Brighton are an excellent side who lack that killer instinct. Whether that is the strikers are not good enough, or whether it is passed on through the management style (Graham Potter seems like a very nice and friendly guy) remains to be seen. If they do stay up, a striker should be top priority to ensure their last two results don’t repeat themselves next season.
Annual Rodgers breakdown?
Arsenal came from 1-0 down to defeat high flying Leicester at the King Power on Sunday Afternoon. Now whilst Leicester are still in a very comfortable situation in the league, the last two results in all competitions will be concern for Brendan Rodgers. They feel against Slavia Prague when they were probably favourites to go through to end their European dream, and were played off the park by an Arsenal side who have been hit and miss all season.
It was around the same time last season that Leicester fell off, and ultimately missed out on a top 4 position on the final day. With plenty of sides still hopeful of finishing in the top 4, nothing is certain and Leicester will need to learn from last seasons mistakes to ensure they do not collapse at the final hurdle again.