Advances made in difficult phase
We have now played two of three consecutive Premier League games recognised as a difficult phase and a tough challenge. So far we have come through unbeaten and unscathed by injuries. In fact we will have a fully fit squad to choose from on Saturday, provided we come through tomorrow's FA Cup replay against Newport without sustaining injuries. I doubt that many of Pochettino's first choice team, if any, will be risked against the League Two side. I'll write more on that game later.
Before last week's win against Manchester United, we were eight points behind Mourinho's men, five points behind Chelsea and three points above Arsenal. The two point gap between us and Liverpool has remained the same, but we have gained a point on both United and Arsenal. Thanks to two consecutive defeats for Conte's men (and both by three goal margins) we have drawn to just one point behind "The Blues". Let's hope they have the blues very soon and that they are overtaken!
Whatever happens on Saturday lunchtime we will remain above Arsenal, and will remain in the chase for a top four place. We could of course be in that group over the weekend if we win, as Chelsea have another Monday night game next week.
The ever-reliable Jan Vertonghen edged out Victor Wanyama for your man of the match vote. Victor Wanyama's spectacular goal almost won him that accolade! Victor's goal brought back memories of Erik Edman's piledriver scored in the same fixture on April 16th 2005. That was another 2-2 game.
Referee Jon Moss (and his officials) got the highest vote awarded to any set of officials in our 36 games played in all competitions so far this season. The mark given was 7.1 which beat the previous best, given on the first day of the season to Andre Marriner when we beat Newcastle away. Comments made regarding the officials (the assistant involved in the penalty decisions was Eddie Smart) included:-
"They showed good character in making difficult decisions. Many other officials would have ducked the issue."
"Full marks to the officials for not changing their minds or being swayed by the crowd. The linesman who gave the second penalty deserves special mention. Not my favourite referee but credit is due this time."
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Results 03-05.02.18
Burnley 1-1 Man City
B'mouth 2-1 Stoke
Brighton 3-1 West Ham
Leicester 1-1 Swansea
Man Utd 2-0 Hds'field
West Brom 2-3 S'hampton
Arsenal 5-1 Everton
C. Palace 1-1 Newcastle
Liverpool 2-2 Spurs
Watford 4-1 Chelsea
Premier League Table - 2017-18
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man City 26 22 3 1 74-19 55 69
2. Man Utd 26 17 5 4 51-18 33 56
3. Liverpool 26 14 9 3 59-31 28 51
4. Chelsea 26 15 5 6 46-23 23 50
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5. Spurs 26 14 7 5 51-24 27 49
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6. Arsenal 26 13 6 7 51-35 16 45
7. Burnley 26 9 9 8 21-23 -2 36
8. Leicester 26 9 8 9 38-35 3 35
9. B'mouth 26 8 7 11 30-37 -7 31
10. Everton 26 8 7 11 29-45 -16 31
11. Watford 26 8 6 12 37-45 -8 30
12. West Ham 26 6 9 11 32-46 -14 27
13. Brighton 26 6 9 11 21-35 -14 27
14. C. Palace 26 6 9 11 24-39 -15 27
15. S'hampton 26 5 11 10 28-38 -10 26
16. Newcastle 26 6 7 13 24-36 -12 25
17. Swansea 26 6 6 14 19-37 -18 24
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18. Stoke 26 6 6 14 26-52 -26 24
19. H'dsfield 26 6 6 14 19-46 -27 24
20. West Brom 26 3 11 12 21-37 -16 20
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· This week last year
