The topsy-turvy season has been pure entertainment for football tragics, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all throwning around the top spot like a hot potato!
After Chelsea’s high profile victory over City, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claimed, ”The title race is between two horses and a little horse that needs milk and needs to learn how to jump. Maybe next season we can race.”
I doubt anyone actually believes him.
Eden Hazard was the best player on the pitch against City. Chelsea were so creative on the counter and Hazard enjoyed himself mesmerising City’s defence.
Juan Mata might be magical but Mourinho has made it abundantly clear that Hazard is the true superstar of his team.
Hazard followed up his perfect performance against City with a hat-trick against Newcastle, which included a breathtaking second goal when the team countered at breakneck speed.
Brazilians continue to play a crucial role in the destiny of the title.
City have missed their ever-reliable midfield linchpin, Fernandinho, in the past three games. I’m not too sure why or how City boss Manuel Pellegrini had bright idea of playing the ageing Martín Demichelis as Fernandinho’s replacement against Chelsea.
Another Brazilian, Willian, is firing on all cylinders for Chelsea in support of the sublime Hazard.
City have suffered from ill-timed injuries. Sergio Aguero scored a City special in link-up play with David Silva against Tottenham in their 5-1 win a fortnight ago. However, he limped off shortly afterward.
The prolific Álvaro Negredo had a brief injury layoff, but hasn’t rediscovered his early season brilliance when they needed him most – firstly against Chelsea and then against the stubborn Norwich.
Arsenal, to their credit, have kept pace despite high profile injuries of their own.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Carzola have chimed in. Manager Arsene Wenger bought Kim Kallstrom over the January transfer period to provide cover.
Bizarrely, he was also declared injured and is out of action for a month.
Liverpool have been completely irresistible at times. This was all too apparent when they dismantled Arsenal 5-1.
Remarkably, Luis Suarez’s goals have dried up and Daniel Sturridge has been Liverpool’s star performer, scoring eight goals in his last seven appearances after returning from injury.
However, prior to Sturridge’s return, they lost to both City and Chelsea in away trips when they were arguably the better side.
Decisively, Liverpool host both City and then Chelsea in the final five games of the season.
The scrap for points is at a premium for most teams in the league.
Chelsea, who have been full of bullish confidence against the top sides, recently dropped points to relegation threatened West Ham and West Bromwich Albion. No win will come easy.
Every game is a treat for football tragics. A photo finish awaits in what should be a remarkable run home for the Premier League title contenders.
Who do you think will come out on top?
bill boomer
Guest
Another diversion (obviously) and the media bite again. How about once they ignore it and go to what the little oik doesn't want to talk about. Don't hold your breath, cheap copy will win again. How about how jm is only a talented amateur at eye gouging. creep
O Golfan
Roar Rookie
How about Mourinho latest barb: Wenger is a "specialist in failure"!? This season must be getting serious...
Ridley
Guest
I think the Reds best chance is now, we are about to get some important players back from injury and not being in Europe or League Cup means only one game a week for most of the rest of the season so the lack of depth hopefully not too much of an issue. Yes the squad will be improved in the summer but so will the other top teams and probably much more then LFC. And who knows what sort of condition we gets the likes of Gerrard, Sturridge, Suarez etc back in after the World Cup. Going to be an exciting run-in at both ends of the table.
bill boomer
Guest
great season thus far. Wonderful to watch manure shoot themselves in the foot when they appointed moyes. I hope they stick with him as they'll not be winning anything with him at the helm. Continuity is fine if you have the right man but moyes? I read yesterday where he said he doesn't like to talk about luck, funny that. Hasn't he cited "bad" luck at every failed hurdle so far. #moyes lol
Cam Mann
Roar Rookie
I'm a Liverpool man but I think the toll of the season will hit the younger members of the squad and considering it's not a very deep squad at the moment I imagine 3-4 would be an accurate finish. City have been there and know when to hit their straps. It's still theirs for the taking. The reds (provided Henry opens his wallet in the next transfer window) will have a much better chance next season. I'll be happy to watch the current top 4 in any CL matches.
O Golfan
Roar Rookie
The relegation rat race is outrageous!
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
God I hope Liverpool can somehow sneak through and take the title. At their best they are absolutely compelling to watch - Liverpool at Anfield is one of the must watch sporting events in the world at the moment. They've been shaky at the back, but have key defenders still to return (Agger off the bench against Fulham). Next three games are key - Swansea, Southampton and Sunderland. Win those and they'll be right in mix just in time for a trip to... Old Trafford. It couldn't be more beautifully set up.
AZ_RBB
Guest
This might very quickly turn into a 4 horse race. Yesterdays comeback against Fulham was quite incredible.
Sunshine
Guest
I would have thought this article from the heading was about west ham. From last to 10th in 10 days. At this rate we will qualify for Europe in a matter of days and then take out the title with room to spare.
NORDBURG
Guest
Liverpool have quite possible the best run home of the four with no team in the top ten,except for a faltering Man U,to play away.Big games against City and Chelsea are at Anfield where they are rarely beaten. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.