Matches Have Consequences

Could be a weekend that will loom large in the races for the EPL title, Champions League and Europa spots, and relegation.  And the news isn't necessarily good for everybody.

Aston Villa did itself a big favor with a 1-0 win over Chelsea but the rest of the league benefited as well.  In a previous post Dennis noted the Villans' tendency to play well through 70 minutes but find a way to lose in the end.  They may have found a solution - get an opponent sent off.  On Saturday Aston Villa had given Chelsea as much as they could handle but looked like they were living on borrowed time.  Then Willian got his second yellow card in the 68th minute.  Aston Villa took full advantage on a play set up and finished by Delph - easily this week's YouTubeable Moment. The win puts the Villans in 10th place and gave hope to all those chasing Chelsea. 

And the next three in the standings did not fail to take advantage.  Liverpool had the easiest time, at Manchester United's expense.  Gerard converted two PKs and hit the post on a third; some were earned, others maybe not so much - replays show that Sturridge deserved a booking for simulation on the third.  Suarez added a third goal after Man United had gone down a man (Vidic with a second yellow).  Liverpool sits in second while Man United hopes for Europe next year took a huge blow.

Manchester City had a much tougher day.  Vincent Kompany got a red card (yeah he was fouled first but he grabbed the jersey, likely denying a clear run to goal) in the 10th minute, so the Citizens would spend the rest of the match versus Hull City a man down.  That didn't keep David Silva from putting Man City up four minutes later on a strike that would likely have been the goal of the week had Delph not stolen the award.  Hull knocked but could not break through.  Dzeko's goal at 90 minutes sealed the win.  Man City is six points back of Chelsea, with three games in hand.

Arsenal hardly dominated but came away with a 1-0 win at Tottenham, keeping the Gunners title hopes alive.  Rosicky's strike in the second minute was all Arsenal would get or need and it too might have been the YouTubeable Moment on a normal week.  Tottenham still holds the Europa spot but by just over two points over Everton, who got a 2-1 win over Cardiff City and have two games in hand over the Spurs. 

As predicted Fulham took a victory over Newcastle. An utterly uninspiring, lifeless performance by the Magpies.  That Fulham could only manage a 1-0 win speaks volumes of the Cottagers' problems.  To be fair, Fulham did have one attempt that was about an inch short of being completely over the goal line - best use of goal line technology I've seen all season - and two were called back for offsides.  In other words, the goal was not against the run of play.  Nine more matches like this might turn me into a curling fan.

At the bottom half of the table, Dennis will be pleased with the 0-0 draw between Sunderland and Crystal Palace.  Less so with the West Brom and Stoke victories but since they came at the expense of other relegation candidates, it's not a disaster.  And Norwich went down against Southampton so all-in-all, it was a good weekend for Aston Villa.


Who Are These Guys?

Somebody has secretly replaced the Union side I've come to know and tolerate with a squad that plays attractive football.  The first half of their match versus New England may have been the best half the Union has played in their history.  Maidana continued to impress and Fernandes was effective in his first start.  Coulda shoulda been more than 1-0 up at half but it was a joy to watch.  Second half, not so great but they did hold on for the win.  We'll not focus on the likelihood that New England isn't all that good.  The goal was great but so was the celebration, with Le Toux dealing cards to his teammates, a reference to their preseason pastime.

Didn't see any of the Red Bulls but Chris K will likely not be pleased with the 1-1 home draw against Colorado; maybe we'll see some pithy observations in the comment section.


And the Hits Keep on Coming

The weekend gets off to a terrific start with Chelsea hosting Arsenal; Mourinho's 4,000 game unbeaten streak at Stamford Bridge (okay it's only 75) may be tested.  Chelsea may be buoyed by a mid-week Champions League win that moves them onto the quarterfinals.  Another match to key on is Aston Villa at home versus Stoke.  They both sit with 34 points and a win for one of them would provide a nice cushion in the relegation fight.

At the top of the table, Liverpool travels to Cardiff City; a win is a must if Liverpool really do fancy themselves as a title contender.  Manchester City hosts Fulham; do they have a mercy rule in the EPL?  Europa candidates Tottenham have a tough match against Southampton while Everton may have an easier time at home against Swansea; Manchester United is away at West Ham - even though it's an away match, they need a win to keep any hopes of Europe alive. [Postscript - let's see if the Red Devils 3-0 win over Olympiacos/Olympiakos in the second leg of their Champions League round of sixteen match, which featured an RVP hat trick, provides a spark.]

Newcastle hosts Crystal Palace; if the Magpies performance is anything close to last week's, things could get very ugly at St. James' Park.  Relegation battles include West Brom at Hull and Norwich hosting Sunderland.

MLS action sees the Union on the road to Columbus and the Red Bulls traveling to Chicago.

I think there will be time to rest in late July.