The EPL Weekend-Round 28

The big guns all got back to winning ways in the mid week EPL action.

Manchester City bounced back from their damaging loss to Liverpool last weekend to earn 3 crucial points at home to Leicester. It was not an easy win and Leicester will feel they at least  deserved to be awarded a penalty courtesy of a Bony foul in the first half. It was only after Milner scored a second in the last minute that the points were secure for City. Perhaps the biggest news of the night was captain Kompany being dropped from the starting line up. Kompany has had an indifferent season so far and has lately been culpable in a number of City's defensive frailties.  He is no longer the commanding force he was last season although a lot of that can be said about most of City's defence including Joe Hart in goal. The one person whose form and contribution can however not be questioned is David Silva. Once again the spanish midfielder gave an assured display and scored his sides first. Him and Aguero have been behind the good things City have been doing this season.
Following the loss toLiverpool, City are in a difficult position as Chelsea now have a game in hand in addition to their 5 point cushion. The gap to the chasing pack led by Arsenal is also down to only 4 points. The cannot afford another slip up.

Arsenal continued their good domestic form with a comfortable 2-1 win over QPR in their latest London derby. Alexis Sanchez rediscovered his scoring form and it is good to see a player who puts in a lot of energy get reward for their effort.
The Gunners are on a very good run form in the EPL and look a shoo-in for top four.
They have important few weeks ahead with the FA Cup clash against United on Monday and then trying to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Monaco in the Champions League. After uncertainties and questions being asked about Wenger and his side towards the end of last year, the Gunners have responded well. Wenger must take enough credit for reorganizing the defence with young Bellerin the preferred right back at the moment. The way he has eased Gabriel into the side has been a bonus for Wenger with the defender giving assured displays in his first two matches. The Frenchman does get a lot of criticism, and he will be severely castigated should should Monaco complete the job against Arsenal. But i think amidst the criticism people at times lose sight of the amount of work he has done.

Manchester United got another lucky break against Newcastle. How many times has this statement been said about United this season.United were once again all puff with no substance. Fan favourite Herrera has been restored to the starting 11 in recent weeks and he provides United with a lot more positive play added with the fact that he has been reasonably prolific from midfield.. which is more than you can say for most who have been playing there. LVG should continue playing the Spanish star as he represents the future of that United midfield. Rooney was played upfront again and he still has sharpness issues to sort out. De Gea once again was instrumental in goal for United fending off a number of the magpies attacks.
Following the loss to Swansea coupled with Liverpool's resurgence, United now face a real fight to finish in the top four. The upcoming games against fellow contenders Liverpool and Spurs will be massive.

Chelsea got over their Capital One triumph hangover to easily see off West Ham. Mourinho's team look to have come through their recent run of dropped poimts and with City failing to capitalise, Chelsea are almost looking a sure bet to win the title. 5 points ahead, a game in hand, ten games to go, surely the title is Chelsea's.
The Blues have coped well with the absence of Nemanja Matic in midfield. Zouma has come in to fill the defensive midfielder role and it looks like another Mourinho masterstroke. Chelsea will be pretty confident of adding a second title to their capital one and who knows, maybe the UEFA Champion's league as well.

Liverpool just look like going from strength to strength. Jordan Henderson looks a totally different player ever since Gerard announced his intentions to leave the club in the summer. The incoming captain has been the key figure for the team with strong displays from midfield. He has been on a scoring run while providing a number of key assists for his team members as well. And a lot of credit must also go to Brendan Rogers for changing the system and making bold decisions such as pushing Sterling more forward and narrow especially when Sturridge was being eased into the squad. With the reds out of Europe, their main concern will be making top four and it is looking increasingly hard to bet against them making it.

Team of the week;

De Gea, Young, Terry, Zouma, Ivanovic,  Coutinho, Henderson, Herrera, Austin, Hazard, Giroud

Player of the week

Hazard