Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United

It was the second part of the second to the last premier league matchday action, as we witnessed various types of emotions from the fans of the teams involved, most especially from the top 4 contenders. Chelsea who have a target to make champions league football through the top 4, hosted a very good and stubborn Watford side, for a chance to finish 3rd after Spurs slipped in their game against Bournemouth.

Chelsea had a lot to play for in this game and had another perfect opportunity on the platter of gold to go third and they didn’t disappoint. It hasn’t been an easy season for Sarri and Chelsea as a club in terms of their performances and results, getting a lot of criticism from the fans, but will be glad to have finally secured one of their main targets this season, all thanks to Brighton who held Arsenal to a draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Watford went into the game without much pressure, as they were basically not fighting for anything, but wanted to get a positive result so as to try to finish as high as possible on the table. They have done really well so far this season in terms of how they have performed and the position they are at the moment. The team has really improved and still has the possibility to create history if the win the FA cup final against Mancity.

Brief Post-Match Analyses

It was a fantastic atmosphere at the bridge, as Chelsea and the fans know that they have another great opportunity given to them on a platter of gold to get another chance to get into 3rd position.

Chelsea lineup in their usual 4-3-3 formation, while Watford lineup in their usual 4-2-2-2 formation. The game began and Watford were showing that they came for serious business and were not going to beat around the bush, taking control of most parts of the first half but will be gutted not to score a goal. Chelsea knew how important this fixture was for them and had to up their game in the second half, quickly turning the tie around and scoring 2 early goals in the second half to give them the cushion and ease the pressure a bit. They still had a lot of work to do cos Watford were still relentless and were pushing to make things happen, but the quality of the blue were just too good to get another goal to seal the much-needed victory.

Loftus-Cheek who came on as an early sub for the injured Kante, scored the crucial first goal for Chelsea 3 minutes into the start of the second half, heading in a perfect Hazard cross from a corner kick.

Luiz doubled the lead 3 minutes later, heading in from another perfect Hazard cross from yet another corner kick situation.

Higuain who have been heavily criticized in a Chelsea shirt, sealed the victory for the blues in the 75th minute, making a perfect timed run which he is a master of, to reach onto a perfectly weighted through pass by Pedro, to chip the ball over the goalkeeper, ensuring that the blues finally take the golden opportunity and move to third.

It was a much-needed and at the same time a very crucial victory for Chelsea and their top 4 ambitions, as the win now means that they have secured top 4 after both Man United and Arsenal dropped points in their respective fixtures. Sarri has finally achieved the main target for which he was hired, and now the blues look forward to the final game of the season and the Europa League second leg game.

Man United and Arsenal Self Destruct

It was yet another weird premier league week for most of the top 4 contenders, as Spurs, Man United and Arsenal have all failed to get the crucial 3 points in their respective fixtures. Spurs lost their game, but have realistically qualified for top 4 cos it will take Arsenal who just dropped 2 points against Brighton, to win 9 nil minimum on their final game and also for Spurs to lose, for the gunners to make it into the top 4. Man United on the other hand, also dropped 2 points against relegated Huddersfield to confirm their exit out of the top 4.

Both Man United and Arsenal had a similar outcome, taking the crucial lead, but couldn’t secure the lead by conceding the equalizer to the opposition to wipe off their hopes of making it into the top 4.

It has been the most bizarre top 4 race in premier league’s history, the whole top 4 contenders all having bad results in the same matchday. But from the look of things, it now seems that the weird top 4 race is settled and Chelsea becomes the only team in the race to secure their spot, Man United are mathematically off the race, but Spurs have also qualified for top 4 if we are to look at it realistically. Nevertheless, this is football and anything can happen cos it if Arsenal somehow wins their last premier league game of the season by over 9+ goals without conceding, and Spurs bottles their last fixture, then Arsenal will sneak into the top 4 based on superior goal difference.

And that is a wrap…

What do you think about the top 4 race in general?

I would love to read your own opinions… Enjoy your day.