It was another good weekend for Chelsea as they extended their lead at the top of the league to eight points. But how did the rest of the top six do and what has this weekend told us about each team's chances of winning the league or finishing in the top four?
The league leaders
Let us start with the leaders Chelsea who secured a two-nil victory over struggling Hull City. But what has been most impressive, besides winning thirteen games in a row, has been their ability to grind out results, even when they are not playing at their best. This was echoed by pundit Graeme Souness who stated "this Chelsea team are a really, really solid outfit that can win games without being at their best", as reported on the Sky Sports website.
Whilst they may not win every game from now until the end of the season, I just do not see them throwing away the eight-point gap that they currently have. Although it has happened in the past, most notably for Newcastle United in the 1995-96 season as reported in the Independent, I just do not see that happening with Chelsea. They have winners, star players and most importantly players who know what it takes to win the league and have done so before.
The chasing pack
Now we turn to the chasing pack. What is interesting is that any one of the five below Chelsea are more than capable of going on a run and cementing their place in the top four. I think besides Chelsea, it was a weekend where Arsenal benefited the most.
As those around them dropped points, crucially Arsenal did not. Although in controversial circumstances with a penalty given despite Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny being in an offside position, their 2-1 victory has kept them ahead of the rest (excluding Chelsea) in the race for the top four. For Tottenham, it was not such a bad result either, especially given the fact that they were 2-0 down at one point and were away from home at the Etihad.
There does seem to be progression from last season. The maturity of players such as Dele Alli, the continuation of good form for Harry Kane and the purchase of strong players such as Victor Wanyama have all helped. What this does prove is how good a manager Mauricio Pochettino really is, given what he has done to this Tottenham side.
I was very disappointed with Liverpool this weekend. Whilst you cannot win every game, I really thought these types of weak performances against struggling sides were behind them. It is a game they simply should have and needed to win. Blips in form are fine but the way in which they started and how they responded after coming back to making it 2-2 baffles me. This was not a Jurgen Klopp type of performance and he will know that. Whilst currently in the mix, if they continue to disappoint, their place in the top four may be under threat. For Manchester City, their problems seem to keep on coming. Throwing away a two-goal lead at home that for the most part they controlled will deeply worry Pep Guardiola.
He will know that they are in a slump. They have world class players but they are simly not performing. Maybe the introduction of Gabriel Jesus will help ease the burden on Sergio Aguero but they need to change things quickly. If they do not, they will not make the top four. And breathing down their necks are Manchester United. After the problems at the start of the season, it really seems to be coming together now. Ok they did not win against Stoke but as stated on the Fotmob site, they are thirteen games unbeaten in the league, they have a world-class striker who cannot stop scoring and it seems that Jose Mourinho has found his best eleven. Wherever they end up this season, it is clear that next year they will most certainly be in the mix for the title. That is the Mourinho way.
Whatever happens from here on out, what is undeniable is that the remaining few months of the league season promises to be a cracker.
