English Clubs

The stumble for fourth place in the Premier League continued apace today with Arsenal getting thrashed 3-0 by Leicester City before Manchester United and Chelsea settled for a share of the spoils at Old Trafford following a 1-1 draw.

Coming into the match on the back of three straight defeats, United started strongly with both Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford looking extremely sharp in attack. The Red Devils’ deserved opener arrived in the 11th minute with the aforementioned Lukaku playing a big role.

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, and it was Sergio Agüero’s goal-line technology-assisted strike — his 20th of the season — that proved the match-winner in the 63rd minute.

Many predicted the most difficult match of City’s title run-in here, and the scoreline demonstrates how precarious it was, but the level of control exerted by Pep Guardiola’s side will give very little hope to Liverpool that either Leicester City or Brighton can stop City from successfully defending its title. 

While there’s a thrilling Premier League title race going on right now, as Arlo White loves to tell us, we can’t forget there’s also an incredible Golden Boot race shaping up. 

Newly promoted Wolves' miracle season continues as they gain their 16th point against top-six teams this season in their first win over Arsenal in over 40 years, 3-1 on Wednesday.

Wolverhampton’s Ruben Neves got one the scorecard first with a beauty of free kick in the 28th minute.

Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over derby rival Manchester United clearly defined the massive divide that’s grown between the two clubs. Sure, United supporters can find immediate solace in keeping the title out of Liverpool’s hands, as well as Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points, but the ‘wee club’ diatribe that Sir Alex Ferguson once so famously threw at Newcastle now seems a fitting moniker for the Red Devils.  

Wednesday’s Manchester Derby was a big one. While both sides of Manchester were hugely invested in the match, so too was the rest of the top six with the races for both the Premier League title and Arsene Wenger Memorial Top Four Trophy more heated than ever. 

For once, Liverpool fans were rooting for their hated Manchester United rivals, hoping they could put a dent in City’s title hopes. 

For once, Liverpool fans could feel a little empathy for Red Devils fans who have to their strikers fluff their lines in front of goal over and over. 

Monday featured yet another onslaught of goals in the early workings of a game in Europe. This time Chelsea and Burnley combined for four goals in the first 25 minutes of action at Stamford Bridge.

Both teams were looking for a much-needed win with Burnley fighting against relegation and Chelsea fighting for a top four spot. Ultimately, following a 2-2 draw, both teams got some help in their respective causes. For Burnley, the point all but secures the club's participation in the Premier League for a fourth straight season.  

During Monday’s Premier League matchup with Burnley, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was subbed off after an apparent foot injury in the first half. The 18-year-old phenom had to be helped off the field in the 42nd minute and was replaced by Pedro. Chelsea went on to draw 2-2 with Burnley as both teams went scoreless in the second half after a frantic opening 45 minutes.

After the game, Chelsea fans' worst fears were confirmed as the attacker said his Achilles was ruptured in a tweet.

It’s interesting to see how the media leans into stereotypes and known formulas of success — regardless of truth or sincerity in approach — to perpetually reinforce the confirmation bias of its readership.

For example, this past weekend Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain spoke about how criticism used to affect his personal life before he acquired a sense of perspective regarding his own career and the amount of importance that should be placed on chasing a ball around a large patch of grass.

In the wake of Manchester United’s Champions League exit, we were treated to a plethora of listicles analyzing who should be shown the door at Old Trafford. After today’s historic 4-0 defeat to Everton, it’s clear that a much easier question is simply who stays. 

The match was a masterclass in the various United shortcomings that’ve gripped the inter webs over the last year or two: How does the third-richest club in the world boast a center pairing of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones? Does Anthony Martial not give a shit to the point of constipation? Who is Fred?