Match Week 22 of 38 is in the books. The Holiday fixtures period has just ended and things will start to settle down a bit. Two games per week made for quite a bit of soccer. Let’s take a look at the week in review and the trending topics.
Top of the Table Taking Shape. Things are starting to settle down at the top of the table and there has not been much movement lately. The top 4 in the group continue to be Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Manchester City had the slightest wobble over the weekend with a 0-0 draw and a few injured players. They quickly rallied for a solid 2-0 win over Everton in their next game. Still undefeated this year.
Bottom of the table shaking up a bit. Stoke City (20), West Bromich Albion (16) and Swansea City (16) are the current bottom three. Swansea City had a big win to close the gap on 17th. I have mentioned a few times, but this race will be much more exciting this year than the race for the title. Five teams are within 2 points of the relegation zone; Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Bournemouth and Southampton. Win one game and you elevate over 5 other teams. Late season games are going to be intense.
Current Table Top 4
Manchester City 20-2-0 62 Points.
Manchester United 14-5-3 47 Points.
Chelsea 14-4-4 46 Points.
Liverpool 12-8-2 44 Points.
Game of the Week: Chelsea v. Arsenal
In a classic match up of two of the top 6 teams in the League, and also a rivalry game…both teams from London…we were treated to quite a game. Here is the highlight package. Some great goals, the Goal Keepers made some incredible saves, there were some goals left out there as well, especially on the Chelsea side. And in most classic games…some controversy and a late goal in extra time. Check it out.
Quick review. Arsenal first goal on a really fortunate bounce that landed at Jack Wilshire’s feet. Nice finish I guess. An obvious PK against Hazard for the equalizer. Have you noticed yet I am a Chelsea fan. The Arsenal coach complained about this one pretty hard after game. Wah, wah wah. It was a penalty…get over it! Chelsea takes the lead on a magical run and side foot from Alonso. A defender…pretty nice move for a defender. Arsenal levels in extra time. Another pretty fortunate ball that finds Hector Bellerin. Pretty nice half volley I must admit. But then…literally 30 seconds later Morata has a chance to seal the win…one v one…but can’t deliver. He had 3 really good chances, but no strikers magic on this day. Still, the ball bounces out to Zappacosta who literally crushes a volley destined for the net. Cech has no chance in goal…it’s going to be the miracle last minute finish to win the game…ting….off the cross bar. Oh my! I lost my mind on that one. How did that not go in! Maybe it was payback for the Sanchez shot early in the game that went off both posts and did not go in. What a game! You should watch the highlights again!
Other News
FA Cup 3rd Round games are this weekend. The biggest open soccer tournament in England. Sort of like if we had a basketball tournament in the US that allowed college teams, semi-pro teams, NBA G-League teams and NBA teams all in the same tournament. The fun here is watching lower level teams knock off the big boys….except for Chelsea of course. So far, the favored teams are advancing. Manchester United and Liverpool both advanced today. Chelsea plays Norwich City from the Championship Level, currently 13th (30 spots below Chelsea).
January Transfer Period Is Now Open
I know this sounds strange, but European Soccer allows teams to sign plays in January, right in the middle of the season. The primary time to sign players is over the summer, but this mid-season signing period always has a few surprises.
Virgil Van Dijk to Liverpool. For a world record fee, Liverpool sign Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton 75M pounds. Big money for a defender. He scores in his first Liverpool game so all is well. Liverpool really needed some help on defense.
Barkley to Chelsea. Chelsea scooped up a value play when they signed Ross Barkley, only 24, to a 15M pound deal. A relative bargain. Chelsea offered 30M last summer but the player elected to stay at Everton. His contract was ending this summer and Everton could have received nothing for him. He has the skills to be a great player. Hope it works out….the next Lampard…he took the #8 jersey.
More FA Cup games this weekend before the Premier League Match Week 23 kicks in the weekend of January 13th.