English Premier League Weekend Report - 15th March

What an intriguing English Premier League soccer season this is turning out to be both at the top and the bottom of the table.

3 weeks ago, Manchester United suffered a potentially fatal blow to their title defence as they meekly succumbed to their main city rivals Manchester City in front of a 76,000 adoring yet shell shocked fans at Old Trafford, "The Theatre of Dreams". With closest rivals Arsenal winning and thus opening up a 5 point lead at the top of the table with 12 matches to go, all Man Utd fans, myself included thought that was it. A 5 point gap at almost the tail end of the season is usually an unassailable one especially with Arsenal brushing aside all opposition with their scintillating brand of attacking soccer.

How the tide has turned 3 weeks on, Arsenal have gone on to draw their last four games and have surrendered the initiative to a rampant Manchester United who now lead the EPL on goal difference after a hard fought 1-0 victory over rock bottom Derby County who are doomed for relegation thanks to the opportunism of the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo.

With all the attention focused on Arsenal and Man Utd, Chelsea have sneaked up the table unnoticed and are definite contenders for the title courtesy of their 1-0 win against a hapless Sunderland team for whom the scoreline really flattered them. Losing just 1-0 after being battered for 90 minutes would have definately left manager Roy Keane relieved. Chelsea now sit third just 3 points behind Man Utd and Arsenal.

Liverpool on the other hand despite boasting a squad capable of challenging for the title have been some sort of an enigma. Under perform in the EPL but absolutely over perform against the odds in the European where the best sides in Europe have fallen to the tactical mastery of coach Rafa Benitez. However in the EPL , too many points have been dropped culminating in their title hopes fading. Liverpool now sit fourth in the table some 8 points behind Man Utd. Though mathematically possible, it would take a momentous effort plus a dramatic downturn in fortune for the top 3 clubs for Liverpool to win the EPL. Why and how liverpool dont reproduce their champions league form in the EPL should leave all Liverpool fans worldwide baffled.

So the stage is set for the one of the most intriguing title races in recent times. Both Arsenal and Man Utd know that with Chelsea breathing down, any slip up now could prove decisive in the title run in. The race really heats up this sunday when the top 4 all take on each other. Man Utd play Liverpool at Old Trafford, while second placed Arsenal are at Chelsea in what could be a weekend that could prove decisive in the final reckoning.

However before the matter of Super Sunday, Manchester United would have to get past struggling Bolton Wanderers in a must win game that would take them 3 points clear of Arsenal while Chelsea travel to White Hart Lane seeking revenge against Tottenham Hotspurs who beat them in the Carling Cup Final 3 weeks ago. A Chelsea win would take them joint second with Arsenal, so all Man Utd fans around the world including myself would be hoping for Chelsea slip up.

The relegation battle in the bottom of the table is also proving to be equally intriguing. Derby County are good as relegated while any two clubs from 14th to 19th could go down.

Newcastle, under their talismatic manager Kevin Keegan cannot buy a win at the moment, thats baffling as they boast players like Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins who are of genuine international class. They drew 1-1 with Birmingham City with Michael Owen scoring the goal to save the Magpies blushes. They currently sit 14th just 4 points off the drop zone. For a club of that stature, its an absolute disaster.

Besides Newcastle, the other teams in the relegation scrap are Reading, Birmingham, Sunderland, Bolton, Fulham. Apart from Derby County who are rock bottom, any two of the mentioned 6 teams could go down. Will the giants of Newcastle suffer the harsh realities of relegation or would it be any of the remaining 5. The Intriguing Question lingers on.

Well people, this is it for the 1st bulletin of my sports reports. Watch this space for more news as the English soccer season reaches its climax as well as the other football leagues across Europe.
Ciao for now.