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| Wayne Rooney found himself crowded out by Leicester |
THE Premier League threw up some more surprising results at the weekend.
Although arguably short on entertainment at times, this was a defining weekend for the teams who have title pretensions.
Manchester United dropped points against Leicester, although Jamie Vardy stole the headlines with his record-breaking strike.
Chelsea and Tottenham played out a dour stalemate, while Arsenal also squandered the chance to go level on points with Manchester City after drawing away to Norwich.
News News Blog Sport provides an overview of what can be gleaned from the weekend’s action.
Manchester United short of ideas
Paul Merson called Manchester United a ‘Subbuteo’ team before the match. Against Leicester, there was very little cutting edge and it was hard not to disagree with Merson about United’s system.
Wayne Rooney was often isolated and it was only really Anthony Martial that was prepared to take on defenders. Leicester were fearless and Vardy’s strike came from a super breakaway.
Last week, United evoked the spirit of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, but this week, it was a case of the Red Devils taking one step forward and two steps back.
Arsenal’s Sanchez gamble doesn’t pay off
Arsenal’s European exploits certainly took their toll. For the first half an hour or so against Norwich, they passed the ball around with a consummate ease. Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez were devastating.
Sanchez assisted Ozil, who scored with a sumptuous finish. But Norwich’s goal was a real sucker punch. The Gunners start to tire and they had to pay the ultimate price with Alexis Sanchez coming off injured.
The Gunners’ injury problems are a real concern and Wenger must buy in January to keep pace in the title race.
Chelsea starting to click
There were signs yesterday at White Hart Lane that Chelsea are starting to find their feet.
Eden Hazard, deployed as a false number nine and Pedro were impressive going forward and gave the Tottenham defence something to think about.
Diego Costa’s bench antics were none too amusing for Jose Mourinho, but his side have steadied the ship somewhat after a disastrous start to the season.
This result could be a turning point for the Blues and their top four chances.
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| Alexis Sanchez (pictured) was forced off with a hamstring injury |
Liverpool work out Anfield formula
Nerves may have been jangled again at Anfield again, but Jurgen Klopp tasted his first home victory against Swansea.
A James Milner penalty separated the two sides, but the context of the win in the Reds’ season is fabulous.
After a fabulous win the previous weekend against Manchester City, Liverpool were rather flat yesterday.
But Liverpool look like a cohesive unit under Klopp and the victory will only serve to give them confidence going into the bumper-packed Christmas schedule.
Tottenham digging deep
Tottenham weren’t at their best against Chelsea, but once again they learned how to dig deep to grind out a point.
It’s not often a defender scoops the Man of the Match award, but Toby Alderweireld caught the eye once again. His reading of the game was superb and he has struck up an excellent partnership with Jan Vertonghen.
It’s too early to discuss Tottenham’s title prospects, but insofar as their top four chances go, they will be there or thereabouts.
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