This weekend was another frustrating one from a Liverpool fan viewpoint. A disappointing 2-0 loss for the Reds away to Hull has continued the poor run of form the team has suffered since January began. Since the New Year bells rang Liverpool have only won one game, the FA Cup replay against Plymouth. Following the good point against leaders Chelsea in midweek, the club would have been hoping to build momentum but an organised Hull side had different intentions. With that result, Liverpool now drop out of the top four, and are in need of a turn in form to keep pace with those around them. For Hull however, it was another impressive performance under Marco Silva meaning that they move up to 18th place. The Tigers have now picked up 7 points since January began and are one of the inform teams in the bottom half.
Chelsea’s victory in the top of the table clash with Arsenal briefly extended to 12 points over the chasing pack. The Blues have now picked up an average of 2.9 points per game since the 3-0 loss to Arsenal earlier in the season. The Gunners on the other hand are now without a win against a team in the current top seven since that same game in September. Arsenal now need to make up twelve points on Chelsea over the final 14 games is they are to take the title.
Tottenham cut Chelsea’s lead back down to 9 points with their disciplined, but marginal, victory over Middlesbrough. Harry Kane’s second half penalty was enough to seal the win and now gives them clear space above their north London rivals Arsenal. Middlesbrough however fall closer to the relegation zone. They were unable to cause any serious problems when facing a depleted Spurs defence. This lack of cutting edge has seen them score just three goals in their last seven games, picking up just three points over the same period.
The new team to enter the top four is Manchester City, their late goal against Swansea means that they move ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool into third. Having taken the lead after eleven minutes through new signing Gabriel Jesus, he was needed again in injury time to take all three point for City. That win means that it is five without defeat for City who appear to be building momentum into the end season. Swansea on the other hand remain in 17th place and out of the relegation places by a single point.
Manchester United remain in the hunt for the top four places and now sit just one point behind Liverpool in 6th. Their 3-0 win away at reigning Champions Leicester means that United are unbeaten since October and are one of Liverpool’s main rivals for Champions League football next season. Leicester however, are now sliding closer to relegation from the league, sitting just one point above the drop and without a goal so far this year.
Everton kept in the hunt for the European places by putting six passed Bournemouth. They stay in 7th place but remain five points behind United, and seven from the Champions League places. It is now seven games without defeat for the Toffees, and they have favourable fixtures going forward. Bournemouth are without a win since New Year’s Eve and are sliding closer to the bottom. With other teams below them improving, Eddie Howe’s team may need to pick up some points to prevent being dragged into the relegation conversation.
Crystal Palace’s hopes of survival took a huge dent as they lost 4-0 at home to fellow strugglers Sunderland. The Eagles are now only off the bottom due to goal difference and were beaten in this game by four first half goals, three of which happened in the final 6 minutes before the interval. Sunderland, after an undefeated week, remain foot of the table but now only two points separate the bottom six teams.
West Brom remain leaders of the mid table places due to their 1-0 home win against Stoke. An early goal from James Morrison was enough to keep the Baggies in an impressive 8th place in the table despite late pressure from Stoke. West Brom have not lost to a team outside the top six since early September and sit nine points behind United. Stoke on the other hand slip out of the top half of the table following their third straight game without a win.
West Ham moved up to 9th in the league after coming from behind to beat Southampton at St Mary’s. The Hammers have now scored three goals in three of their last four games and have not lost to a team outside of Manchester since the turn of the year. For Southampton though, it is just one win in their last seven games, conceding 15 goals in that time. Sitting six points ahead of the relegation places they should have enough to be safe, but their decline in form must be a concern.
The final game of the weekend saw Watford jump over Burnley into 10th place and complete a good week for the Hornets. Following a poor run of form, it is now two wins from two for Watford as they arrest their slide down the table. Burnley’s terrible away form continues however, their solitary point on the road this season coming from Old Trafford. If they can continue their home form then the Clarets won’t have any worries when the season closes in May.
Over the next six fixtures Liverpool will face both Spurs and Arsenal at home and Manchester City away. A much needed return to form would be welcomed over these games if they are to keep aspirations to join Europe’s elite competition once again. They will need to remain within touching distance of their rivals when the fixtures ease in April and May.
