State of the EPL | A UthMag Preview
Well, would you look at that? Who would’ve ever thought the tussle for the trophy was going to boil down to last match! It has been a scintillating past couple of weeks in English Football. The tables have turned, most teams have settled where they already are and we are all in for a pulsating climax tonight, Sunday the 13th.
Rooney and the boys have a tough road ahead!
Expectations weren’t belied, as fireworks went off at the Etihad Stadium with skipper Vincent Kompany firing a header past De Gea close to half time and securing a much-deserved victory. Despite Ji-Sung Park and Nani making way for the in-form forwards Welbeck and Young, the United offense couldn’t simply perturb City’s powerful home form. That’s when it was all-advantage Man City because of their goal-difference edge over United. Both teams still in the hunt, when they played Newcastle and Swansea respectively. City were under bigger strain against Champion’s League-aspiring Newcastle as opposed to a safe Swansea, who played Man United at Old Trafford. The Magpies (Newcastle) were also in very fine touch in the shape of Papiss Cisse, the man responsible for the famous away win at Chelsea. But City went nailed them heavily when Yaya-Toure went berserk in the second half with two fantabulous goals. Man United also found goals from Paul Scholes and Young to beat Swansea, but just not enough to surpass City owing to goal difference.
Photo Credit: Dave Shopland
In the bid for a Champion’s League berth, Arsenal are fairly on safe grounds at the third spot of the table. But they’ve had a rough two weeks – drawing away at Stoke City and then another demoralizing draw at Emirates Stadium against Norwich City. Captain Robin van Persie was in his element as he brought back Arsenal from 2-1 down in the first half with a double-whammy that propelled him to the top of this season’s top scorers. With so much of apprehension and rumors about his possible transfer after today’s match, Wenger will want his premier striker for 2012-13 if he wishes to reproduce this fantastic result again.
Tottenham have done well to keep pressure on Newcastle for the fourth Champion League inroad. With their recent draw with Stoke City, they will look to keep the dice rolling and finish on top against Fulham today at home. Right below them, Newcastle couldn’t replicate their stunning show at Chelsea when Manchester City came to Sports Direct Arena. Because of their 2-0 loss to City, they have to win against a powerful Everton line-up and then hope that Tottenham draw/lose against Stoke, if they hope to make the top four.
Liverpool are out of the equation for both next season’s Champions and Europa Leagues, while Chelsea have to win the Champions League 2012 crown, if they are to contend in next year’s edition.
Meanwhile, today’s final match seems to host an assortment of tight and high-octane matches that will actually make a difference in the league table and title! Hope the best team wins! here’s a list of the upcoming matches.
- Upcoming Matches!
- Manchester City (vs.) QPR
- Everton (vs.) Newcastle
- West Bromwich Albion (vs.) Arsenal
- Sunderland (vs.) Manchester United
