JOSE SHOWS HE STILL HAS IT.
Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday and go six points clear of Chelsea in the league.
The win preserved United’s position in second place and moved them closer towards securing a champions league place.
Even though Chelsea were the better side during the opening exchanges, Jose found a way, once again, to win against a fierce rival, when it mattered most.
Tactically, Mourinho got one over Conte and let’s not forget that this was a Chelsea team that were extremely dangerous against Barcelona few days before that and a team that has in it, talented individuals that would walk into most top teams all over Europe.
Jose must build on this result and find cohesion in his team from back to front, as he aims to make United a force to be reckoned with once again.
There were signs; Lindelof played well again for a grid consecutive game, Mctominay seems to be growing into his midfield role alongside Matic, Lukaku has begun to finally show what he can do on a very big stage and Lukaku and Sanchez are beginning to operate on a similar wavelength.
The problem however is that the best of Sanchez yet to come and for whatever reason, the truck has gotten stuck in second gear, unable to move onto five speed and cruise control.
SO WHO WOULD MISS OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
As Chelsea head down the M6 back to London, Antonio Conte must be wondering what he has to do in ten games to crash the party ahead of United, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Only six points separate the teams and there is nothing between them at the moment.
Liverpool and Tottenham seem to be in the ascendancy, could that help them both in their quest for champions league football?
Chelsea may yet crash out of the champions league in the Nou camp, but because they are out of the FA cup as well, that could mean less tired legs and fewer games as they chase a UCL spot
Manchester United? Current form and the quest on two fronts, coupled with the fact that there is still something missing upfront may mean United are the least likely at the moment, but they are second on the league table and have a start on their competition.
Ten games to go, power games still to come between the top five and its all to play for.
What do you think?
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, OR YOU MIGHT JUST GET IT
As Tony Pulis continued to pull WBA towards safety last season, pressure continues to mount on the board from the supporters upon the board, asking them to sack Pulis because they wanted a better and attractive style of play.
They wanted to be entertained and Pulis’ pragmatic and uninteresting playing style was no longer good enough for them.
After so much pressure and the threat of dwindling gate tickets from the fans, the management decided to get rid of Pulis and sacrifice the guarantee of Premier league survival for attractive football, opting for veteran Alan Pardew in his stead.
Several games in and WBA are not at the races and the ship is sinking very fast.
It’s still early to write any team off; remember Palace? remember Swansea? remember Leicester? But the handwriting is on the wall at the hawthorns and the team needs a miracle to survive relegation this year. They keep losing to their direct rivals and the last loss at home against Huddersfield has probably condemned them to the championship
Can Alan Pardew save the ship from a definite wreck?
So did the fans get it right?
Were the board right to back the fans?
Is Alan Pardew good enough for the current WBA?
Is Pardew who they really need?In the wnszvWBA fans got what they wished for
CITY DISMISS ARSENAL WITHOUT BREAKING MUCH SWEAT
It’s taken them six months in the new season, but Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have finally laid their hands on their first title, in a season they have been extremely dominant.
The quadruple cannot happen, a double is almost certainly assured, but can they do the treble this season?
After the frustration of last season and an empty trophy cabinet, Guardiola came back this season determined not to allow a repeat of last year.
He is on course to pick three titles this season and after winning the Carabao Cup, the big ears is what Pep would be looking to lift once again, a feat he hasn’t managed since leaving Lionel Messi and the others at the Nou Camp.
Can City win the treble?
Can they remain dominant next season?
Congratulations to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.