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Weekend In Football Perspective


ST TOTTERINGHAM'S DAY
 This is the name given by Arsenal fans to the point in the season at which it is no longer mathematically possible for Tottenham to finish ahead of Arsenal. Spurs were finally able to echo "North London belongs to us" for the first time in 22 years as they bid the jinx farewell.

 It came as no surprise having won their last nine premier league matches emphatically, but more interestingly, it can be mathematically confirmed as early as matchday 34, thanks to Dele Ali, Harry Kane and Arsenal's lifeless display at a London Derby many presumed they would have approached earnestly.  Mauricio Pochettino consistently plays down the significance of finishing above Gunners. "We have bigger things to worry about" but his celebration after Ali's goal betrays his words. It's Tottenham's most successful season ever, with 78 unprecedented points and 12 more to fight for.

Arsenal may however end up the happier side, depending on how much they can make from open top four race and May 27 FA Cup final against Chelsea.


TITLE,TOP 4 RACE
There is a reason why Chelsea fans and rival supporters (including spurs) seem to see Blues with the crown already: Chelsea look like Champions. Ronald Koeman gave a sufficient picture after Chelsea ensured his side would not complete Nine wins on a bounce at Goodison park. "We did a good job until Pedro put us behind but Chelsea know how to win games even when they are not playing at their highest level. They have quality and once they are ahead, they know how to kill the game".

Chelsea on paper, have their run-in easier compared to Spurs who have to travel to West Ham (London Derby) and Old Trafford, but you cannot take anything for granted.


It remains uncertain what Manchester United's hopes of competing among top-tier European teams hang on, breaking into top 4 or Europa League Glory. While Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho suggested the latter a couple of weeks ago, results in their last three matches were positive enough to raise confidence of remaining on both routes to UCL next season. Draw against Swansea City dealt a blow to their dashing progression on the table. The match could have finished on a worse note had the referee gotten a few vital decisions correctly. With Marcos Dojo, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Fosu Mensah, Paul Pogba and Zlantan Ibrahimovic out, the going appears to get tough. On their hands, they have a problem even more judicious spending over both transfer windows might not avert.


Rollercoaster: That sums up Leicester's season. From staring at the danger of being the first defending champions to get relegated since 1938 to flying English flag in the quarter finals of Uefa Champions League, they can now finally breathe, strategize ahead of next campaign, as Jamie Vardy's lone strike against West Brom was enough to rescue them from the reach of relegation. SAFETY


Perhaps a bit of underachievement, in the context of Pep Guardiola's double last season, Bayern extend their Bundesliga rule to 5 seasons, under the watch of Carlo Ancelotti who has now won championships in 5 major European Leagues : Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany. AUTHORITY.

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