It has been a while since I addressed the Premier League title race, relegation battle or any other aspect in blog form, but a night like tonight has made it simply irresistible. Tonight's results have put the jobs of four managers in serious jeopardy and probably not done the bookies much harm.
Firstly, Chelsea's horrendous run of form has continued. Another defeat, this time to bottom-of-the-table (although now up to 17th) Wolves. Just when it looked like Carlo Ancelotti's men couldn't get any worse, they truly have. An own goal from Jose Bosingwa, who hasn't looked like the same player since returning from a year-long injury lay off earlier this season has left Chelsea outside the top four and nine points adrift of league leaders Manchester United despite having played a game more. Bare in mind Chelsea were six points clear of the Red Devils as recently as late October and that truly is an incredible statistic. Ancelotti, who yesterday claimed he felt lucky not to have already been sacked, must now be truly worried as Roman Abramovich hasn't exactly shied away from firing managers and other members of staff in the past. The weakness of their squad was exposed and the confidence appears to have completely left them despite the return of key players.
With the Blues seemingly on the edge of leaving the title race, the two main challengers to United went head to head at the Emirates stadium tonight. Here, two vastly improved sides displayed very different tactics. While Arsenal continued with their sometimes admirable, sometimes frustrating pass-and-move football, Manchester City carried on with their uber-defensive tactics and came away the more satisfied. With three holding midfielders (I don't care what you say, Yaya Toure is not an attacking midfielder) and a solid back four, and only really Carlos Tevez as a serious goal threat, Roberto Mancini's tactics do seem to be getting results. Although whether they have that killer instinct required to claim the Premier League title is doubtful. Somewhat reminiscent of Jose Mourinho's Inter last season, the main complaint would be that Tevez, Milner, Silva and Yaya are not a front four quite as threatening as Milito, Eto'o, Sneijder and Pandev were. Arsenal are certainly looking much more promising with Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas continually improving and Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Robin Van Persie also impressing in spells. The main concern for them would be their defence, with Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci not quite up to the standard of the injured Thomas Vermaelen. Big question marks remain over Lukasz Fabianski, but with Arsene Wenger recluctant to spend in January I doubt their attack can see them all the way through to the finish line. The resulting bans for Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta's late red cards will not help the two clubs either.
Tottenham Hotspur as well, are still lacking as far as winning the Premier League goes. Gareth Bale, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Aaron Lennon are all in incredible form, but silly dropped points earlier in the season could cost them as they remain eight points behind United, having played one more match. Defeat at Everton tonight is nothing to be embarassed about but defensive solidity is something that Spurs are yet to acquire.
Moving away from the title race, and onto Liverpool (how it must pain their fans to read that sentence). The Reds' away form has been abysmal this season with only one win from ten games and seven defeats after the 3-1 reverse at Ewood Park. The fans have turned on Roy Hodgson, joining in with Rovers fans tonight singing 'You're getting sacked in the morning'. The veteran boss has performed admirably around the continent and with Fulham, but it appears the mess Rafael Benitez left him at Liverpool is too much to turn around and his signings were not of the required quality for the Anfeld outfit to get back into the Champions League. People may laugh, but relegation is still a possibility for the five times European champions.
But relegation is even more of a possibility for West Ham United. The Hammers were battered 5-0 at Newcastle tonight to a side missing their main-man as Andy Carroll was sidelined by injury. This will come as a bitter blow to Avram Grant who thought his side had turned a corner after four games unbeaten. Touted for a long time as likely to be sacked soon, it may finally be the week that owners David Gold and David Sullivan wield the axe. Another team in claret and blue are in the relegation zone with them, and Gerard Houllier's neck is also on the line. Aston Villa have finished in the top six for the last three seasons but find themselves eighteenth with a seemingly disgruntled team, unhappy fans and an unpopular manager. Defeat at home to Sunderland leaves the Villans facing a real uphill struggle.
So where does this leave everybody? I feel Chelsea and Spurs are now battling just to finish the season in the top four. Arsenal and Manchester City almost certainly can challenge Manchester United for the title, but only if the former sign better defenders/ a goalkeeper and the latter add more goal-threat to their play (the signing of Edin Dzeko may help, but not if he is simply a reserve for Tevez). And while as a Manchester United fan, I may be slightly biased, it is certainly looking good for the Old Trafford outfit. Odds on favourites with the bookies, United sit clear atop the table, with games in hand and still unbeaten. With Javier Hernandez, Nani and Dimitar Berbatov in goalscoring form, and Wayne Rooney looking like hitting his form of last season again, it would be a brave man to bet against the Red Devils. Their main concern will be the fixtures list with 2 games against Chelsea and visits to White Hart Lane, the Emirates and Anfield all still to come. But with the form of the other teams, what do they really have to fear? At the other end of the table, it could be any three from ten or twelve to be quite honest. Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland also deserve a mention as they have made themselves real contenders for Europe.
What is for sure, is that this is one of the most exciting Premier League seasons ever, right throughout the table. And I haven't even mentioned Ian Holloway...
Long live the Premier League!
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