In an outcome that surprises no one, Chelsea have won the
Prem in a process that excites just as many. While it’s true that there’s
little left to fight for other than table-scraps, recent results seem to have
cleared the decks for a two-squad squabble—Man U’s apparent collapse, combined
with Chelsea’s coronation, suggest that Arsenal and Man City will duke it out
for second place. This is not to say that Man U have passed the point of no
return, but they’re definitely on the outside looking in, hoping and praying
for results elsewhere to break their way. While Arsenal and Man City seem all
but assured of Champions League qualification, it will be intriguing to see
which of them sees a second place finish as a prize worth fighting for. Enough
throat-clearing. Let’s get down to it.
Chelsea
● Position: 1st.
● Record: 25-8-2
● Points: 83 (79.04%)
● Form: WWWDWW
● Last match: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace.
Yes, they won the league. I feel like a broken record when I
again suggest that the method felt more than a bit mediocre, coming as it did
through a penalty that Hazard earned, only for Speroni to save it and which the
PFA Player of the Year bravely headed home. Sorry if any of that sounded the
least bit sardonic. Chelsea won this game and the league with the same
cold-blooded efficiency that we’ve come to expect from a Mourinho-managed side,
and I’ll make no apologies for the sour grapes that sounds like. Yes, results
matter, but I’ll continue to cling to the notion that method matters at least a
little. For a squad as stacked as this Chelsea side is to have to rely on a
theatrical dive in order to win over a mid-table squad surely counts as an
asterisk of sorts. Chelsea backed their way into this title, not so much
conquering all comers as cock-blocking them. Congratulations are in order, I
suppose.
● Next match: 10 May vs. Liverpool
● Remaining fixtures: Liverpool (h), West Brom (a),
Sunderland (h).
Manchester City
● Position: 2nd
● Record: 21-7-7
● Points: 70 (66.7%)
● Form: WLLWWW
● Last match: Tottenham 0-1 Man City
Man City did their level-best to ensure we’d have an
enjoyable St. Totteringham’s Day but in the process complicated the fight for
our second-place finish. Tottenham were not without their chances, exposing yet
again the visitors’ vulnerabilities, but an excellent performance from Joe
Hart—augmented by atrocious finishing from Tottenham—allowed City to escape
with their first away-win since mid-February, a string of five matches.
Aguero’s goal gave City a crucial three points as they seek to finish second,
but pertinent questions persist about the future of an ageing squad that has apparently
failed to meet expectations. Even if City find a way to finish second, they’ll
finish without any actual silverware for the first time in what must feel like
eons, a barren spell long enough to spell out the end of Pellegrini’s tenure,
if not of mainstays like Kompany and Touré,
not to mention younger, more-valuable assets. Will these murmurings motivate
the squad to close out the season on a high note? Of their remaining fixtures,
QPR, Swansea, and Southampton might each feel like they have something to fight
for, whether it be staying up or qualifying for Europa League play, which
Southampton would do if Arsenal win the FA Cup.
● Next match: 10 May vs. QPR
● Remaining fixtures: QPR (h), Swansea (a), Southampton (h)
Arsenal
● Position: 3rd
● Record: 21-7-6
● Points: 70 (68.6%)
● Form: WWWWDW
● Last match: Hull 1-3 Arsenal
Alone among the top seven squads, Arsenal delivered a
dominant performance of the sort that might otherwise indicate a squad serious
in its title-tilt. Alas, the surge has come too late. Three first-half goals,
two of them a bit more of the lucky than good variety, were enough to secure
another three points, keeping Arsenal level on points with Man City, with that
game in hand becoming more and more important as the season draws to a close.
Even if Arsenal are riding high, we do have a bit more to overcome, what with
another trip to Old Trafford looming. A confident performance against Hull
might have provided an inspiring response to last week’s disappointing draw
against Chelsea, but it remains to be seen whether there’s enough in the tank
for Arsenal to fight off Man City to seize the second-place spot. Even if third
place serves as an improvement over recent seasons, it’ll be hard to feel
satisfied with marginal returns on recent investments and efforts. For what
it’s worth, Swansea and West Brom might feel complacent, but Man U and Aston
Villa might be feeling a bit scrappier. Then, of course, there’s the small
matter of an FA Cup final against Aston Villa…
● Next match: 11 May vs. Swansea
● Remaining fixtures: Swansea (h), Manchester United (a),
Sunderland (h), West Brom (h), Aston Villa (h—FA Cup final).
Manchester United
● Position: 4th
● Record: 19-8-8
● Points: 65 (61.9%)
● Form: WWWLLL
● Last match: Man U 0-1 West Brom
Man U at this point seem to trying to relive the early years
of the 21st century when they, Liverpool, and Arsenal vied for Prem
supremacy. Problem is, only they and Liverpool seem to be reading from the same
script, and it’s one that has the two of them squabbling over a fourth-place
spot. Three straight losses for Man U seem to have sent them spiraling out of
the conversation for outright Champions League qualification and into the limbo
that is Champions League qualifying, maybe even Europa League purgatory. With
Liverpool now nipping at their heels, Man U will have to have at least one eye
on the rearview mirror. Whether this pressure impels them upward or causes them
to implode remains to be seen. It’s one thing to lose at Stamford Bridge and
Goodison Park; it’s quite another to lose at home to West Brom. Their next
opponent, Crystal Palace, seem safely ensconced mid-table, but Arsenal and Hull
each have something worth fighting for. Can Man U say the same? We’ll see…
● Next match: 9 May at Crystal Palace.
● Remaining fixtures: Crystal Palace (a), Arsenal (h), Hull
(h).
There you have it. Chelsea have won in the league in the
most-cynical of fashions, whether we’re referring to the most-recent result or
the campaign as a whole, and Man U seem to be daring themselves to qualify for
Champions League play by the narrowest of margins. ‘Twixt the two, Arsenal and
Man City are eyeing each other warily, the former as in-form as any in 2015,
the latter perhaps rounding into form for the final weeks. As it currently
stands, Arsenal could climb as high as 82 points; Man City, just 79. If we can
find four points from our remaining four matches, we finish above Man U. If we
can find ten points from those four matches (three wins and a draw), we’ll
finish above Man City. Of course, if either of them drops points, the maths
break our way all the more. The way things are looking, though, we might have
to wait until the final match of the season before we know for sure who
finishes where. Still, we’re essentially defending second place, rather than
scrambling for fourth, and that has to count as some kind of progress, doesn’t
it?
great summary John. If we can beat Man U we might also overtake Man City! The way Man U have been going lately, I wouldn't be surprised to see them struggle against Crystal Palace. We have to finish 2nd though, or it will feel deflating. Even the trip to Old Trafford is winnable, by the time we get there it might not even matter to Man U's position anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think nothing is gonna stop us from that 2nd position this time !!
ReplyDelete"For a squad as stacked as this Chelsea side is"
ReplyDeleteOnly been using like 16 senior players, in fact it's 14 if you consider Costa Remy were out for a month. Bench filled with Loftus cheek, Ake.
We can complain as much as we want about Chelsea (buying their way to victory, parking the bus, winning ugly) but as all of us have known for years - a victory at the start of the season is worth just as many points as one at the end. To that you might also consider that given a long season, inevitable injuries, weariness and clubs desperately fighting relegation, it may be harder to win in the Spring. Thus, should we despise Jose, or admire him for understanding that we remember the winners and not either how they won or who came in 2nd, 3rd or even 4th (in this instance forever).
ReplyDeleteCity are barely hanging on and some of their players and the manager are on life-support and could (or should) be caught by Arsenal. Again, points frittered away early on letting alone GD might matter in the end.
The critical match, even if only one of four, is MU, if only for the symbolism and because they do not even deserve Europe and even more than Chelsea are trying to buy their way back to the top and are expected to continue that pattern over the summer. We're it not for a brilliant GK they would not even be in the conversation.
I would love it to end Chelsea, Arsenal, City, Liverpool, and even Southampton, Spurs and then MU, but that is now more wishful thinking than realistic thinking or even mathematically possible. Thus, if it works out for the top three and MU is forced into playing one more for the CL, I guess that is the best we might get. If they fall to Europa League, even better. They deserve 2nd rate status and that might wear them down even more if they last longer there.
Of, course, aside for the MU match we must win the FA Cup if only for validation of the 2nd half of the season and for what it might mean to those who have toiled all season to keep things going.
wish we could have started the season stronger but injuries undermined us. the gap between us and Chelsea is not as large as it looks, just 10 pts but then again they've applied a little bit of the handbrake lately. Should be interesting to see how the summer transfer window shakes out. Whether we finish 2nd or 3rd this time, a strong signing (Schneiderlin? Lacazette?) could boost us into title contention!
ReplyDelete