FIVE PREMIER LEAGUE wins on the trot have ensured that Tottenham’s slim hopes of catching Chelsea in the title race are still alive.
The Londoners left it late in midweek — trailing Swansea 1-0 in the 88th minute before goals from Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen turned the game on its head. A fightback like that will surely give Spurs confidence heading into the run-in and they host Watford at White Hart Lane in the first game of the weekend.
Second in the table and trailing Chelsea by seven points with just eight matches remaining, Maurcio Pochettino’s side must continue to clock up the victories in case their title rivals, who are away to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, slip up.
The good news is their top scorer Harry Kane could return from an ankle injury after sitting out the last three games. While Tottenham are unbeaten at home all season, the Hornets have only won three times on the road.
2. Top four now Guardiola’s target
Pep Guardiola has accepted that he will not be lifting the Premier League trophy on his first year at Manchester City, but there is still plenty to play for as they must secure Champions League football for next season.
Wednesday’s defeat to Chelsea leaves City sitting in fourth spot, but Arsenal and Manchester United are just four points back and both have a game in hand.
Advertisement
Saturday’s opponents Hull have been nothing short of magnificent since Marco Silva’s appointment at the start of January. In fact, during that period the Tigers have the fourth best record in the league — behind only Tottenham, Chelsea and Everton.
Hull have pulled themselves out of the drop zone with three wins on the trot but they’re far from safe as 18th-placed Swansea are just two points back.
3. Bilic under pressure in relegation six-pointer
When the West Ham board are giving Slaven Bilic the dreaded vote of confidence, you know all is not well at the club. After a seventh-place finish last season, the Hammers have struggled badly on their first year at the Olympic Stadium.
The West Ham board released a statement last week, insisting that they have “100% faith” in their Croatian manager. However, they have since suffered their fifth consecutive loss (away to Arsenal) and another at home to Swansea on Saturday would leave them in real trouble.
It’s just as big a game for the visiting Swans, who must still be reeling after three points were snatched away from them by Tottenham. Paul Clement has done a decent job since coming in for Bob Bradley and this is a genuine opportunity to pick up a result while, at the same time, dragging another club into the dog fight.
4. Chelsea one step closer to the title
After an uncharacteristic slip-up against Crystal Palace, champions-elect Chelsea got back on track by effectively ending Man City’s title aspirations last time out.
Victor Moses is back for Chelsea after recovering from a toe injury. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
According to Blues boss Antonio Conte, they will need six wins from their last eight matches — which are against Bournemouth (a), Man United (a), Southampton (h), Everton (a), Middlesbrough (h), West Brom (a) and Sunderland (h) — to wrap up the Premier League.
However, that would only be the case if nearest rivals Spurs picked up maximum points in their remaining matches, which is a huge ask.
The Cherries, meanwhile, are on a five-game unbeaten run thanks Joshua King’s late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday.
5. Moyes reaquainted with his former employers
Jose Mourinho has been attempting to deflect attention away from the recent underwhelming performances by singling out players for criticism and spinning a string of below-par home draws as “a fantastic run of 20 unbeaten matches”.
It’s a tiresome tactic and the Portuguese coach’s debut season with the Red Devils will not be deemed as a successful if they fail to make the top four — although victory in the Europa League still offers an alternative route to the Champions League.
As bad as United have been at times, the club is certainly in a better place than it was under David Moyes, who welcomes his old club to the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
Moyes’ Black Cats are currently rooted to the bottom of the table and, without a goal in their last six league outings, they look dead and buried. Anything other than an away win will represent another significant setback for the visitors.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Tottenham the only ones that can catch Chelsea and the Premier League talking points
Updated at 10.00
1. Spurs remain in the hunt
FIVE PREMIER LEAGUE wins on the trot have ensured that Tottenham’s slim hopes of catching Chelsea in the title race are still alive.
The Londoners left it late in midweek — trailing Swansea 1-0 in the 88th minute before goals from Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen turned the game on its head. A fightback like that will surely give Spurs confidence heading into the run-in and they host Watford at White Hart Lane in the first game of the weekend.
Second in the table and trailing Chelsea by seven points with just eight matches remaining, Maurcio Pochettino’s side must continue to clock up the victories in case their title rivals, who are away to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, slip up.
The good news is their top scorer Harry Kane could return from an ankle injury after sitting out the last three games. While Tottenham are unbeaten at home all season, the Hornets have only won three times on the road.
2. Top four now Guardiola’s target
Pep Guardiola has accepted that he will not be lifting the Premier League trophy on his first year at Manchester City, but there is still plenty to play for as they must secure Champions League football for next season.
Wednesday’s defeat to Chelsea leaves City sitting in fourth spot, but Arsenal and Manchester United are just four points back and both have a game in hand.
Saturday’s opponents Hull have been nothing short of magnificent since Marco Silva’s appointment at the start of January. In fact, during that period the Tigers have the fourth best record in the league — behind only Tottenham, Chelsea and Everton.
Hull have pulled themselves out of the drop zone with three wins on the trot but they’re far from safe as 18th-placed Swansea are just two points back.
3. Bilic under pressure in relegation six-pointer
When the West Ham board are giving Slaven Bilic the dreaded vote of confidence, you know all is not well at the club. After a seventh-place finish last season, the Hammers have struggled badly on their first year at the Olympic Stadium.
The West Ham board released a statement last week, insisting that they have “100% faith” in their Croatian manager. However, they have since suffered their fifth consecutive loss (away to Arsenal) and another at home to Swansea on Saturday would leave them in real trouble.
It’s just as big a game for the visiting Swans, who must still be reeling after three points were snatched away from them by Tottenham. Paul Clement has done a decent job since coming in for Bob Bradley and this is a genuine opportunity to pick up a result while, at the same time, dragging another club into the dog fight.
4. Chelsea one step closer to the title
After an uncharacteristic slip-up against Crystal Palace, champions-elect Chelsea got back on track by effectively ending Man City’s title aspirations last time out.
According to Blues boss Antonio Conte, they will need six wins from their last eight matches — which are against Bournemouth (a), Man United (a), Southampton (h), Everton (a), Middlesbrough (h), West Brom (a) and Sunderland (h) — to wrap up the Premier League.
However, that would only be the case if nearest rivals Spurs picked up maximum points in their remaining matches, which is a huge ask.
The Cherries, meanwhile, are on a five-game unbeaten run thanks Joshua King’s late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday.
5. Moyes reaquainted with his former employers
Jose Mourinho has been attempting to deflect attention away from the recent underwhelming performances by singling out players for criticism and spinning a string of below-par home draws as “a fantastic run of 20 unbeaten matches”.
It’s a tiresome tactic and the Portuguese coach’s debut season with the Red Devils will not be deemed as a successful if they fail to make the top four — although victory in the Europa League still offers an alternative route to the Champions League.
As bad as United have been at times, the club is certainly in a better place than it was under David Moyes, who welcomes his old club to the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
Moyes’ Black Cats are currently rooted to the bottom of the table and, without a goal in their last six league outings, they look dead and buried. Anything other than an away win will represent another significant setback for the visitors.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Influence of agents never as strong as staggering Premier League payments revealed
Big boost for Tottenham’s title hopes as Harry Kane returns quicker than expected
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Premier League Talking Points Chelsea Hull City Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur Things to look out for