A massive step towards survival
Last weekend saw Huddersfield visit St James’ Park for a massive relegation six-pointer that we couldn’t afford to lose. A win would see us almost guarantee survival, with plenty of other teams struggling down at the bottom. On one of the most important weekends of the season, thankfully for Toon fans, we managed to turn up and snatch a 1-0 win. I couldn’t wait for the final whistle to blow, as it (touch wood) pretty much cemented our place in the Premier League next season.
This will hopefully allow things to move forward regarding the takeover of the club and by the summer we may have a new owner who is more willing to back us in the transfer market. Although we will most likely secure our place in the league with a few games to spare, it cannot be argued that we have been lucky this season due to the lack of quality of a number of other clubs down at the bottom of the table. Hopefully, we can strengthen next season and challenge for a top-half finish, rather than being worried about relegation again.
Spurs win in style to end their hoodoo at the Bridge
With questions over Dele Alli’s place in the England starting line-up for the upcoming World Cup, what better stage for him to prove his critics wrong than Spurs’ visit to Chelsea last Sunday. Spurs had not won at Stamford Bridge for 28 years, since before the start of the Premier League era. Step us Dele to score two goals and send that record into the abyss.
With that win, Spurs have almost consigned Chelsea to a place in the Europa League next season, with the gap between the teams seeming unsurmountable now. Antonio Conte will most likely be gone at the end of the season too, leaving the Blues to embark on another search for a manager, who will probably last around two seasons again. That tactic has worked for them in the past but maybe no more with the might of the two Manchester clubs and their spending powers. Speaking of Manchester.
City almost tie it up
What a scenario to have as a City fan. A win this weekend at home to bitter rivals Man United will guarantee their first Premier League win in four years. Everyone knows that they’re going to win it anyway, but to do it at home against United would be extra special. Strange how football can work itself out.
On the other hand, United will be determined to put a dent in their celebrations and halt them for another week, with the extra motivation that provides possibly being crucial. A win for United will put a marker down for next season and prove that they have what it takes to topple City next year. City also have two Champions League games against Liverpool bookending the derby, so they will have to be careful with squad selection, so they don’t over-fatigue themselves. The result in the first leg against Liverpool will go some way to determining that, but the derby is not a foregone conclusion by a long way.