English Premier League is at an interesting juncture with the lower and mid table teams finally turning the table after seeing much of the first half of the season in the dreaded relegation zone. Here are 3 talking points from last week’s results.
Arsenal’s Premier League dreams shuddered
Compared to Arsenal’s sublime win over Chelsea last September, the Blues had to work real hard and needed some marvellous saves from their goalie Thibaut Courtois to see off Arsenal as they retained assuring nine-point lead over second placed Tottenham.
The Gunners had come to Stamford Bridge fresh from a shock defeat at home to beefed up Watford last week, which they were supposed to win comfortably closing the gap with Chelsea up top. But, Arsenal traditionally faltered at the most crucial time of the season that has now seen their league chances further fading away. Although mathematically, the league is still in Gunners’ reach, their pathetic displays pretty much ensure they cannot make it.
The Blues dominated the game both physically and tactically and the win was a deserved one. Arsenal have hardly been clinical when it has come to big games and the situation was nothing different this time.
Hull City looking at a realistic chance of survival now
Liverpool saw themselves ousted from the Premier League race as a rejuvenated Hull City saw them off with a 2-0 win at KCOM stadium. The Tigers edged closer to escaping the relegation zone that they have been dwelling in for weeks now.
Marco Silva’s approach to the uphill task in front of him at the start of the year has been immensely effective so far with the Portuguese successfully beating giants like Liverpool and Manchester United already. His unconventional buys in the transfer market, which mostly featured unproven prospects from various clubs have also drawn much attention. He has this innate ability to utilise players, whether good or bad, to their fullest and it seems likely to take Hull all the way this season.
Sunderland turning the table
We know it is too early to put forward any such claims, but Sunderland have started February on quite a brilliant note. David Moyes has faced all minds of trouble at the club and if he manages to get them out of the relegation this season, he would be quite irreplaceable.
The Black Cats had to sell their most prized defender, Patrick van Aanholt, in winter owing to their financial crisis. The former Everton and Manchester United manager managed to bring in Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson on the last day of the transfer season, who were quite redundant at Goodison Park. But, as it turns out, it might have just been the change Moyes needed to get the team back on track.
The Black Cats face Southampton next, who are struggling at the moment, and a win there could finally see them off the relegation zone.
