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Tough On Top in England

It was another strange weekend at the top of the English Premier League but at least this week, unlike the previous weekend’s action, some goals were scored by the top teams.

Yes, three of the teams were involved in a 0-0 draw and Arsenal slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City so all of them would have been fired up to return to winning ways.

Not that any of the teams should have required any further incentive to be charged up for their respective matches. Manchester United were making the short trip to Manchester City to play the Manchester derby and to take on the club who now claim to be the richest club in the world.

Chelsea and Arsenal were clashing in another derby match, this time a Stamford Bridge and Liverpool knew that a win was vital to ensure they kept the pressure on at the top of the league and kept their dreams of winning the league alive.

Brilliant Rooney, Bizarre Ronaldo
The Manchester derby was first up and United managed to win 1-0, thanks to Wayne Rooney who notched his 100th club goal, even though they were reduced to 10 men when Ronaldo handled in the box and received a second yellow.

It was certainly a bizarre moment though as the Portuguese star was free in the box and looking well placed to head on target when he moved to grab the ball. The referee had no option but to produce a booking and despite the protestations, the newly crowned winner of the Balloon d’Or had to go. United held on though and laid down a marker for the remaining fixtures.

No Home Comfort for Chelsea
In the first half at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were in full control and took a deserved lead when Arsenal defender Johan Djourou turned the ball into his own net. The second half started n the same manner but the game changed when a blunder from the linesman said that Robin van Persie was onside and the Dutchman duly fired Arsenal level.

Chelsea would still have been smarting when van Persie struck once again and the Blues never looked like coming back. Yet another home defeat for Chelsea left Liverpool knowing that even a point at home to West Ham would put them at the top of the league.

This is just as well for the Anfield club as the Londoners put a strong performance and went away with a point from their trip to Merseyside after a 0-0 draw. It may have been enough to send Liverpool clear in the league but there will be a feeling that it was two points dropped, although it could have been worse for Liverpool with Craig Bellamy of West Ham in fine form.

United Moving Up with Intent
The top two never had the best of weekends but the other big two will be able to look back on the weekend with a sense of satisfaction and Manchester United are moving ominously back into contention. Their derby win moved them onto 28 points, 6 behind Liverpool and 5 behind Chelsea, however, Manchester United have a game in hand over their rivals, a home match against Fulham. Although United will be jetting off to take part in the Fifa World Club Championship causing their home match on the 20th December against Wigan to be postponed, there will be confidence amongst United they can again triumph.

A strong reason for this confidence is that the club still has a larger number of home games to play this season. Liverpool and Chelsea have both played eight games at home this season whereas United have only played six. Liverpool have earned 18 points from eight games at home this season whereas Chelsea have picked up a measly 12. United, with two less games, have already achieved 16 points at Old Trafford and you would expect them to pick up many more. Another factor in United's favour is that they have to still to play the remaining top 4 teams (and Aston Villa) at home this season, which will give United further encouragement that they can pick up points whilst their closest rivals drop points in the next few months.

Winnable Fixtures This Weekend
The immediate weekend of top flight English football provides the big teams with matches that should all be winnable. Arsenal welcome Wigan to the Emirates, Liverpool travel to a Blackburn team experiencing a terrible run, Chelsea look to continue their strong away form at Bolton and Manchester United are at home to Sunderland, another team on a terrible run of form at the moment.

The following weekend sees Manchester United travelling to White Hart Lane to take on Spurs, who although they have faltered a few times recently, are still greatly transformed under Harry Redknapp. After defeating Liverpool at home, Spurs will be hoping to take another scalp and give their fans an early Christmas present.

Merseyside and London Clash Before Christmas
The following weekend sees United away from domestic duties but the excitement doesn't drop in the Premier League. Sunday 21st of December sees Liverpool travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in a match that both sides will see as crucial.

The Christmas and New Year period is a vital part of the season with a number of games taking place and any dropped points during this time of year can cause a team problems. The following evening Chelsea take almost the opposite route as they end up in Merseyside to face Everton, another team who have picked up in form in recent weeks. The clubs then face two games in quick succession as Boxing Day and the 28th of December provide full fixture cards before a break occurs at the start of the New Year as the FA Cup provides some respite and will allow managers to take stock of the situation.

Arsenals victory over Chelsea will give them renewed confidence about their title hopes but they will be keeping a close eye on Aston Villa behind them with the Midlands clubs threatening to break the top four monopoly. The other three top teams will be considering nothing but reaching the summit of the EPL and a strong showing in December could go a long way to deciding who picks up the silverware in May.

by Andrew Reilly

for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk

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