MANCHESTER IS RED, 8 FOR ARSENAL AND CHELSEA LEAVE IT LATE.
The streets in Manchester were painted red on Sunday as United thrashed their noisy neighbors City by 4-2. Ramsey's 12th minute goal ensured the Gunners go eight consecutive wins in the Premier League while Cesc Fabregas late strike gave Chelsea all three points at Loftus Road.
SWANSEA 1-1 EVERTON
My prediction was spot on. Swansea came out firing at all cylinders early on but couldn't get a break through. Unfortunately for them, their in form french man Bafetimbi Gomis was forced off with 16minutes gone and that proved to be a turning point, Swansea's early pressure faded away and Everton took full advantage. Jonjo Shelvey had a goal ruled out for an earlier foul while Tim Howard produced a fine save to deny Gomis before he was forced off.
Everton slowly grew into the game and Aaron Lennon, the man on loan from Spurs netted with 41 minutes gone after losing his marker Neil Taylor to score his second goal since joining in January.
Swansea got their equalizer in the second half after Seamus Coleman gave away a penalty after handling the ball in the area, up stepped Jonjo Shelvey to slot home and deny Everton a fourth consecutive victory.
Both sides will be pleased with a point a piece, Swansea equaling their best ever point tally in the Premier League with six games left while Everton's safety looks assured not like they ever looked in danger of dropping out of the Premier League.
SOUTHAMPTON 2-0 HULL
The Saints pulled clear of Spurs with a 2-0 victory over Hull. It wasn't as straightforward though as Hull produced a fine display but lacked the killer edge to score. Steve Bruce men will be disappointed not to have taken at least a point from this game.
James Ward Prowse slotted home from the penalty spot and Graziano Pelle scored his first goal of 2015 to guarantee all three points for the Saints who keep their Europa League hopes in tact or even now can still dream of Champions League football with Manchester City dropping points again this weekend.
Hull now just sit two points above the drop with clashed against Arsenal and United still to come. Southampton will be delighted to have earned all three points in a game where they were troubled by a very hungry and determined Hull outfit.
TOTTENHAM 0-1 ASTON VILLA
If there's one team that are experts in throwing away the dream of playing in Europe, it has to be Spurs. Not too long ago they were challenging for top 4 honors, now they find themselves still seven behind 4th spot City who also dropped points. A victory would have taken them within four of City.
Tim Sherwood got one over his previous employers thanks to the in form Christian Benteke who headed in Leonardo Bacuna's cross. It could have gotten worse for Spurs as Agbonlahor came close to doubling the lead before halftime if it wasn't for the post.
Aston Villa will feel they are almost home and dry, the safety line isn't too far ahead. For Spurs, well, they can only hope for a positive result next time.
BURNLEY 0-1 ARSENAL
This was never going to be easy for Arsenal. Burnley had already held United, Spurs and beat City at Turf Moor and rightfully so it wasn't easy. Ramsey scored in the 12th minute to give Wenger's men an eighth consecutive win in the League and push clear of the losers in the Manchester derby.
Clear cut chances were few, but both sides had fine efforts stopped. Arsenal head into this weekends FA Cup semi-final vs Reading in great form and will be hoping to maintain their impressive run.
This is an Arsenal side that have shown a lot of steel to hold on to narrow victories and grind out results. The Arsenal of old would have capsized under pressure and thrown away three points. Arsene Wenger must be very proud of how his side have shown of late they are not all about attack, they can defend just as well. Francis Coquelin, man of the match and the man who deserves most credit for Arsenal's defensive work. Eleven interceptions at Turf Moor, that's more than Nemanja Matic has managed in his last five outings with Chelsea.
Burnley will be somewhat disappointed not to have taken a point, but they lacked the cutting edge in the final third to cause Arsenal any real problems. For Arsenal, they can only take it one game at a time, with Chelsea up next after this weekend FA cup semi-final, Wenger will be hoping he has a full squad by then because that is going to be a cracker.
QPR 0-1 CHELSEA
Chelsea got away with this one, one shot on target that came in the 87th minute, one goal. They never really looked the Chelsea we've all been seeing run away with matches, QPR deserved all three points in this one if it wasn't for Courtois.
Mourinho definitely will not mind a single bit, it's three points in the bag onto the next game which happens to be against one of the League's in form sides Manchester United before they tackle in form Arsenal at the Emirates the week after.
QPR will be disappointed with the result as they deserved all three points after an organized display against the champions elect. Chelsea maintain there lead at the top heading into an important 2 weeks for them as they face the two sides below them in the table.
MANCHESTER UNITED 4-2 MANCHESTER CITY
City fans look away now, don't you dare read this because I have the harshest of criticism for the blue half of Manchester. Firstly, credit to United for the victory, they were well organized and deserved all three points on the day. Secondly, I always give credit where it's due, Ander Herrera was absolutely brilliant! For once he played like a true Spanish midfielder.
City came out guns blazing and deservedly took the lead after 8 minutes, Silva squaring the ball for Aguero to tap into an empty net. It surely had to be in this game that Aguero ends his goal drought. Once City scored, the red army came roaring back from then on. It was all United, City's tempo dropped, Toure pushed further back to defend Fellaini, Aguero and Silva barely had a touch of the ball till the next City goal on 89 minutes.
An opening 10 minutes of high tempo attacking football turned into 80 minutes of slow, disorganized football from the champions. The defending was horrific, and United took full advantage. First, Ashley Young slotted from close range after the ball rather luckily fell in his path. Then Fellaini out jumped Gael Clichy to nod in the second just over 10 minutes later.
That took the sting off City completely heading into the break. On came Mangala for Kompany who was living dangerously after a nasty tackle on Danny Blind saw he see yellow. I'm not a fan of Mangala, he's decision making is poor and he proved me right as he was the victim for the third goal. He was completely out of position when Juan Mata who was in an offside position run clear on goal and calmly netted the third.
City know how to beat United, and I had a feeling they would get a point out of this. 20 minutes left and the blue Manchester were playing like they were down to 9 men. Shocking from a team we expect better from. Chris Smalling ensured all three points with a headed goal on 73 minutes, though he looked to be in an offside position as well.
Aguero's second was nothing but a consolation. Unfortunately for City, they look to be hitting every speed bump on their way to the finish line and find themselves in a position where 4th spot is no guarantee especially if Liverpool pick up three points tonight.
OTHER RESULTS
SUNDERLAND 1 - 4 CRYSTAL PALACE
WEST HAM 1 - 1 STOKE
WEST BROM 2 - 3 LEICESTER CITY
Have your say on what you think of this past weekend games, feel free to leave a comment.
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