City dropped points, Liverpool picked up more injuries and Arsenal are eleven nil up from their last two games. So where does that leave the title race?
Which players are irreplaceable on a title run in?
Crystal Palace look set to make a managerial change, but how have they handled it, with Roy Hodgson still unwell and Oliver Glasner seemingly lined up to replace him.
Who is best placed to be Harry Kane’s understudy? Gregor Robertson thinks Ollie Watkins is the complete striker. Alyson Rudd thinks Ivan Tony has international class.
Rasmus Hojlund has turned a corner and is now the youngster player to score in six consecutive premier league games, will it be enough to drag Man Utd into the top four…
Timeline:
Title race
2’ Across two games Chelsea were really good. Chilwell handled Foden well.
3’ Best game Disasi has had in a Chelsea shirt.
4’ Haaland wont’ have many games like that.
5’ Can’t believe how nice you’re being to Chelsea. They were defensive smart performance from Chelsea
8’ city’s record against top 6 is a concern. They’re third, behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
Liverpool
9’ Virgil Van Dyke, a man with presence. Key to being clam is enjoying the football.
11’ having an amazing season
Arsenal
15’ Forward line has grown in confidence as the goals have come.
16’ Liverpool victory was key.
18’ Burnley and West Ham abysmal. So 11-0 for arsenal has context.
19’ all done without Zinchenko and Jesus.
Injuries
21’ could have a key part in title race. Each of the big three have key players- Van Dyke, Stones, Rodri, Saliba…will injuries affect the outcome.
22’ Liverpool have youngster on the side lines already bedded in who can step in.
Roy Hodgson
23’ Awful position to have a manager facing the sack whilst also ill in hospital.
25’ when Hodgson collapsed he still hadn’t been told, but it is an open secret that Glasner is going to get the job.
28’ Roy shouldn’t be in a position of being angry with the club going behind his back. 29’ they way they are handling this is terrible. And it isn’t the first time.
Watkins or Tony
31’ Masterclass from Watkins at the weekend
32’ His importance to Villa is immense, their top four challenge rests on his shoulders.
33’ He is profile similar to Kane.
36’ His stats put him in elite company.
37’ Watkins is always involved, even if he isn’t flashy. His skill set is very broad.
40’ Ivan Tony is very unselfish. He has improved Maupay enormously. Makes unselfish runs and links up others players. Very good intuition. He has international class.
43’ Kane’s understudy…Watkins for Gregor. Wide skill set. But Alyson thinks Tony, he has more arrogance and would step up to international football. Watkins is developing that arrogance.
Man Utd and Rasmus Hojlund
47’ Youngest player to score in 6 premier league games on the spin.
48’ Led the line brilliantly, looked confident, strong and with a strikers nose.
51’ Without his goals they had no chance of top four. Now…it looks possible, but not yet likely.
Bad tackles
53’ This was Sheff United’s chance to create hope of safety. Holgate blew it inside 20 minutes.
56’ Tough times for Chris Wilder. He had a big win at Luton and they haven’t backed it up. So momentum has been lost.
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Christmas crackers and end of year awards
And so this is Christmas... power to the people right on!
Sh**housery, idiots and control freaks
Both United's out with a whimper and Wally Downes – founder of the ‘Crazy Gang’
Jeff Stelling joins us to discuss wins for Villa, Spurs, and Fulham; and defeats for Chelsea and Man Utd.
Villa rockin’, Arsenal not stoppin’, Forest and Palace shockin’
City cracks, Trent whacks and Heckingbottom sacked
Champions League and jeez, referees!
Tactics at the top, belief at the bottom and adios El Tel
Crime and Punishment
The modern Mr Luton: Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu
Mic’d up but p***ed off. And England’s midfield conundrum
Thrillers galore and John McGinn's big bum.
Two games, twelve goals, one VAR
Hats off to the Hatters but Arteta losses his head
Tick tock Ten Hag. And the Saudi influence grows
Are Spurs and Liverpool title contenders? And who is the most exciting young English player...
A tale of two Uniteds and a rough start for Rooney
Are Villa in five-team title race and is Toney on the move?
Sancho alone with his lunchbox and can England win the Euros?
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