With the transfer window officially closed, the final stretch of the Premier League has begun.
This weekend we learned a lot about some of the league’s contenders moving forward and what teams need to do to have a positive finish.
It was another action packed weekend filled with shock results and controversial talking points. So just in case you happened to be living under a rocker the last few days, here are the five big talking points you really need to know…
Leicester City Control Their Own Destiny
It was a big weekend for the league leaders.
Leicester saw goal-leading Jamie Vardy ink a new contract that will keep him with the club until 2019 and the Cinderella side easily snatched three massive points against Manchester City.
The Foxes trounced City at the Etihad 3-1 and continued their incredible away form, taking 28 points in total away from the King Power Stadium this season. Their defencee stood strong as they nearly kept a clean sheet for the sixth time in seven games, if it weren’t for Sergio Aguero’s late strike.
The Foxes are in perfect form for their upcoming clash at the Emirates against Arsenal next Sunday. While it will take place on Valentine’s Day, there will be no love between the two title contenders.
Arsenal Find Form In Must-Win Match
In recent years, Arsenal supporters are used to their club finishing poorly in the final stretch of the season.
Prior to this weekend’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth it looked as if they were headed down a familiar path. Before this weekend Arsenal failed to win in their last four matches with ties against Liverpool, Stoke City, Southampton and a loss to rivals Chelsea.
While beating Bournemouth is no daunting task, this was a must win match for the north Londoners in order stay in the heat of the title race. The win keeps them at a reasonable five points behind Leicester Cit
y. A Valentine’s Day win over Leicester next Sunday would put them in striking distance for their first title in 12 years.
Don’t Look Now, But Tottenham Are Serious Contenders
A Leicester City win over Manchester City and a Spurs victory over Watford put the east London side in second place overnight. While Arsenal and Tottenham are currently tied for second in points in the table, Spurs seem to be more inclined to catch Leicester after examining their current form.
Pochettino’s side has won their last five matches, including this weekend’s 1-0 win over Watford. Spurs dominated play, but were continually denied by a great performance from Heurelho Gomes.
The win poises the club for a key match at Manchester City next Sunday. Not only is this fixture important for the title race, but also in the fight to finish in the top four.
Tom Cleverly and Ross Barkley Impress In Front of Roy Hodgson
Maybe it was Everton’s quest for a top four finish, maybe it was because England manager Roy Hodgson was in attendance, but whatever it was, it had Tom Cleverly and Ross Barkley in elite form over the weekend.
Cleverly showed his technical prowess at the Britannia against Stoke City in Everton’s 3-0 win, drawing a penalty with an early run on goal and continued to create threats for the Toffees throughout the match, tallying an assist from a corner in the process.
Barkley made his case for Euro ’16 with his ability to inspire attacking runs for his side, showing Hodgson that at 22, the youngster is ready to play on the big stage.
Everton could have more players in England’s Euro 2016 roster than any other Premier League club with the likes of John Stones, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and possibly Cleverly and Barkley poised to make the squad.
Liverpool Fans Walk Out In Protest
Several thousand fans left Anfield in the 77th minute of Saturday’s draw against Sunderland in a protest response to the new £77 ticket prices.
The £77 price is 20% of the average Liverpool fan’s weekly salary. The group Spirit of Shankley organised the protest and plan on taking further action in the upcoming fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea until ticket prices are lowered.
The group is upset with the Merseyside boardroom’s decision to increase the price because of the large amounts of money that are expected to come to the club next year with more profitable television deals.
The upset fans see this as a move driven solely by greed. It’s also interesting to note that the Reds gave up a two-goal lead after the 77th minute. Coincidence?
