Today was a good day for Manchester’s title challengers. Manchester City grabbed a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Tottenham.
Manchester United also claimed a vital 2-1 win at Arsenal. The two results could have far reaching consequences for the Premier League title race.
Luck
Manchester City were rather lucky to claim victory over Tottenham after throwing away a two goal lead at the Etihad Stadium.
However City claimed all three points in injury-time through a Mario Balotelli penalty, after the Italian had been brought down in the penalty area by Ledley King.
The game could have gone either way as just a few minutes earlier Jermaine Defoe had missed a chance from close-range. To become champions you need to get a bit of luck and City may just have had that today.
If Defoe had scored his chance Tottenham could now be just two points behind the Citizens and the title race could be wide open. As it stands it looks as though big spending City are getting away from Harry Redknapp’s men.
Vital
Manchester United also claimed what could be a vital victory at the Emirates Stadium. Manchester United had to respond to City’s earlier victory to keep up with their bitter-rivals. Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck’s goals kept the champions just three points behind City.
The Manchester United have experience of this sort of situation having challenged for the league title for the last 20 years off and on. They never seem to feel the pressure and it would be a brave man to bet against the Red Devils clinching the Premier League title.
Difficult
The defeat for Arsenal leaves the Gunners five points behind Chelsea, who currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League. Arsenal’s aim is top four this season but at the moment it looks like an unrealistic aim.
Chelsea maybe having a patchy season but it’s really hard to see them failing to qualify for the Champions League. Arsenal really do face an uphill struggle to make the top four of the Premier League this season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stated it would be a disaster if Arsenal don’t make the top four and after this defeat it’s hard to see how they can recover to claim a top four place.
Surprise
Tottenham have been the surprise package of the Premier League season. The fact that they are regarded as realistic challengers for the league title shows just how well Spurs have performed this season.
I don’t think many Spurs fans thought that their team could realistically challenge for the title this season. I think that most Tottenham fans would have accepted a Champions League spot if it was offered at the start of the season.
Unless their season falls apart then Tottenham are looking really good for a place in Europe’s elite competition next season. The side from North London really do deserve their place in the Champions League because of the way they play the game.
Drama
Today’s games really did sum up what the Premier League is all about. The drama, the goals and the excitement. These are the sort games that has made the English Premier one of the most exciting football leagues in the world.
It looks like the Premier League title race is now down to the two Manchester clubs. Which one of those teams will win it is anybody’s guess.
Will todays results have a big bearing on the title race?
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