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 [April 17, 2023]
(Reuters) - Talking points from the Premier League weekend:
MAN CITY HITTING STRIDE AT RIGHT TIME
With eight games left in a breakneck race to the finish, everything
seems to be falling into place for Manchester City, with a palpable
sense of momentum shift.
City ran roughshod over Leicester City in a 3-1 victory on Saturday,
despite substituting goalscorers Erling Haaland and John Stones at
halftime. They have not lost in all competitions since Feb. 5, an
unbeaten streak of 14 games. They have outscored their opponents
45-8 during that stretch.
Manager Pep Guardiola labelled Manchester City's clash with
league-leading Arsenal in a little over a week as a "final" in the
tense battle for the Premier League crown.
"It is a final to play more finals because if you lose this game, it
will be almost over," Guardiola said. "Hopefully we can arrive
having the chance to be there."
City are also the hunt for a first Champions League title and host
Sheffield United in the FA Cup semis on Saturday.
Could this be manager Pep Guardiola's greatest season ever?
WATKINS PUSHING FOR ENGLAND CALL-UP
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was overlooked by Gareth Southgate
for England's World Cup squad after struggling earlier on in the
season in an under-performing side.
But the sacking of Steven Gerrard and the appointment of Unai Emery
has revitalised the former Brentford player to such an extent that
he is now knocking loudly on Southgate's door.
When Emery took charge on Oct. 24, Watkins had scored twice since
the start of the season. Since then he has taken his tally to 15,
with 11 goals in his last 12 league appearance -- a ratio only Man
City's Erling Haaland can better.
If Watkins maintains his form he could even fire a resurgent Villa
into the top four, or at least into Europe, and back into the
England squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
EVERTON'S TOP FLIGHT STAY LOOKING EVER MORE PRECARIOUS
Everton are running out of games to pull clear of the relegation
zone and Saturday's 3-1 home loss to Fulham will be a bitter
psychological blow for manager Sean Dyche's side.
They will have targeted three points against a side that arrived at
Goodison Park on a five-game losing streak and having won only once
in 27 previous visits, but were outplayed by a more clinical
opponent.
Everton missed the industry of suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure and the
presence of Amadou Onana in midfield, and it was a game that perhaps
laid bare the paucity of squad options for Dyche.
The new-manager bounce Dyche produced when replacing Frank Lampard
appears to have faded and Everton's trip to Leicester City on May 1
is looming as a huge fixture for both teams, but the old cliché of
every game being a cup final will ring true until the end of the
season.
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Soccer Football - Premier League -
Manchester City v Leicester City - Etihad Stadium, Manchester,
Britain - April 15, 2023 Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland
celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
TOXIC TOTTENHAM NEED SEASON TO END
For Tottenham fans the season cannot end soon enough and some might
even hope that a defeat at Newcastle United next week can extinguish
the forlorn hope that they are good enough to finish the season in
the top four.
A 3-2 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, hours after defeat
for Newcastle had revived Tottenham's top-four hopes, summed up the
malaise at the north London club.
Any hope that the dismissal of Antonio Conte, whose rigid style of
play was at odds with the club's 'to dare is to do' motto, would
bring the joy back have proved unfounded.
Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly 10-man Everton, were
incredibly lucky to beat Brighton and Hove Albion last week and
suffered a stoppage time defeat by Bournemouth.
Defender Davinson Sanchez was booed by his own fans, and was
substituted after coming off the bench, and the mood of apathy as
fans walked out was overwhelming.
Tottenham may well win at Newcastle next week but even if they do it
will be papering over the cracks of a squad that needs a manager
with fresh ideas who can put the smile back on the face of the
players, and the fans.
BRENTFORD'S EURO PUSH COMING UNSTUCK
Saturday's defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers will sting even more
for Brentford fans as it likely means the end of their chances of
qualifying for Europe next season, with their famed resilience
deserting them just when they need it the most.
The Bees had made the most of their resources all season to put them
within touching distance of the top six, but two draws followed by
three straight defeats has seen the dream fade.
Danish coach Thomas Frank has gained a reputation as being someone
who can get the maximum return from his squad, and they have been
spared the serious injuries to key players that some other squads
have suffered.
That said, time is running out for him and his team to turn things
around and rediscover the kind of form that had them in the running
for the European places, and only a string of victories will
suffice.
(Reporting by Nick Said, Martyn Herman and Lori Ewing; Editing by
Toby Davis)
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