The 2015/2016 EPL Weekend-Round 29

Manchester United surrendered their winning run with another lackluster display against West Brom at the Hawthorns. United weren't helped by Juan Mata's early sending off although to be honest there is no guarantee they would have won even with 11 on the field. There was misplaced optimism as a result of United's 4 match winning streak. FC Midtjalland and Shrewsbury were too weak an opposition to warrant any mention. The Arsenal match was a crazy game of football and United were lucky things went their way, Watford on the other hand were very unlucky to lose against United having created the better chances. So in truth, United had been playing poorly for some time now. They just hadn't been found out. United's loss coincided with a few of the senior players returning from injury. Darmian isn't half the player who arrived at Old Trafford in August. He had 2 or 3 good games then but has been on a downward trend ever since. He reminds one of Di Maria's struggles last season. Varela should probably be playing in that position until Valencia is fully fit to return. Varela alongside Rashford, Lingard, Mensah and Love have been among United's better performers in the last few weeks. Rojo at left back also doesn't seem to work. It's hard to recall a worthwhile cross from either Rojo or Darmian in the West Ham game. Smalling was probably the best United defender in the match with his calmness and timed clearances. It would have been interesting to see him start alongside Mensah with Varela on the right fullback position. I have always thought Blind should be a left back, he is too error prone to be a center half, the position LVG likes playing him. Michael Carrick has been a useful and faithful servant for Manchester United for years but it appears it's time for him to move on. He  is too slow and has been getting slower in his tracking back and tackling. He did not help Herrera much. Lingard. Rashford and Martial form a good attacking trio and should be started together more often.
United don't look like making top four especially after this loss. It would take a miracle for them to do so as things stand.

Arsenal got a hard fought draw against Tottenham. Arsene Wenger's approach appeared to suggest Arsenal were more worried of not losing to Spurs than winning. With Coquelin's dismissal, it took tremendous spirit and belief for Arsenal to come back and earn the draw. They would even have won it as Spurs spurned a chance to put clear daylight between them and Arsenal. The big winners were Leicester of course but at least Arsenal didn't fold as many had predicted. Gabriel has been shaky the last few games and he was once again the weak link in defense. Arsene Wenger gambled by starting with Campbell and Welbeck in place of Walcot and Giroud and he was vindicated as Campbell scored the opener while Welbeck put in a good shift too. In deed the gunners fans reacted to Campbell's substitution with a chorus of boos. Mesut Ozil had another anonymous performance as has been the trend lately. Arsenal need for him to raise his game as big games keep coming up.

Liverpool were extremely lucky to get all 3 points against Palace with ten men. Benteke clearly took a dive to win a last gasp penalty and Klopp will have been relieved with the win going into their Europa clash with Man United. Liverpool have been trying to rotate their strikers but none seems to come up with the goods. Benteke doesn't look like a 30M pound striker while Origi doesn't score enough goals. Sturridge spends more time on the treatment table than on the field. Liverpool's bright spot since the turn of the year has been Firminho who has been active either scoring or assisting. The Reds are making a late surge for Europe and it remains to be seen how high up the table they will finish.

Manchester City demolished bottom side Aston Villa in an easy win. City looked best placed to finish in 3rd or 4th place having seemingly given up any hope of winning the title. It does look like there will be changes in personnel when Guardiola takes over and some of the players seem to have switched off already.

Chelsea were held to a draw against Stoke as Hiddink's unbeaten run in the league continued. The Blues probably had one eye on their huge champions league return match against PSG but there's no denying Hiddink has steadied the ship. Chelsea won't qualify for Europe via their league position and their best hope is to win the Champion's league.

Team of the week

Ospina
Bellerin
Morgan
Daniels
Lovren
Silva
Antonio
Payet
Mahrez
Kane
King

Player of the week

Mahrez