Premier League Matchweek-33 has definitely added some spice to an otherwise hackneyed league, which seemed to have its outcome destined five weeks prior to its end.
Things heat up at the top
Antonio Conte has stated it again and again that Chelsea were not taking their lead at the top of the table for granted, despite the London club finding their way quite comfortable so far until this week happened, and it seems he was right to do that. The loss away to Manchester United has cut short the lead to just four points with five games to go and Mauricio Pochettino will definitely be optimistic about the chance now.
One look at the remaining fixtures of both the London teams suggests that the league race will likely go down to the wire. In the last six fixtures, Chelsea have some tricky visits to Southampton, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, where getting all three points will be extremely difficult.
Spurs, on the other hand, have two big opponents in Arsenal and Manchester United left to face at White Hart Lane, and going by their home form, where they have a 12-game winning streak, the lead is likely to get further trimmed.
Arsenal break their away voodoo
After a week of criticism of the highest order, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must have had a huge relief as his men overcame a stubborn Boro defence in their backyard and got the much needed away victory after four consecutive losses. The Gunners saw themselves changing into a much-demanded back three formation, which Wenger has never deployed in his 21-year reign.
Though it didn’t have an immediate impact on the game whatsoever with the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista finding it difficult to adapt against a pressing Boro side, it fetched them the needed result and Arsenal looked much more comfortable defensively than they have been against Palace and West Bromwich Albion.
Manchester United expose Chelsea’s Chink in the armour
Chelsea have been one of the most consistent sides in the Premier League this season as Conte’s men have managed to find three points even from the worst of their displays.
Although they were by no means unplayable, they have hardly been outplayed by any opponents this season. And Jose Mourinho did exactly that on Sunday.
The Blues didn’t have a shot on goal throughout the game, as United kept dominating for the full 90 minutes. The marking of Hazard was spot on by Herrera and without his artistry, Chelsea looked nothing but a bunch of players defending.
If the likes of Everton and Albion get their scheme right against them looking at this game, it could be season over for Chelsea.
