EPL Gameweek 34

This season promises a great climax at the end of the season. Even the controversies are stirring up and there will be surprised like how a revitalised Everton under Roberto Martinez trounced Arsenal 3-0. How Chelsea came back also to trounce unbeaten Stoke 3-0. How did the officials allowed Man City's second goal when Silva was clearly offside before he released the ball for Nasri to score. Until then Southampton were playing really well and has just equalised. How West Ham were awarded a goal when Mignolet has already claimed the ball and Andy Carroll has no business with his raised hands only to hit the goalie who dropped the ball. 

How Gerrard walked up to the penalty spot to beat Adrian twice. This week all eyes will be at Anfield where Liverpool host Man City. Liverpool are 4 points ahead of City who have 2 games in hand while Chelsea are 2 points behind. Beat City and win the rest an Liverpool will be champions. Or will City be too good for them? Could Chelsea be the one? Arsenal, Everton, Man Utd and Tottenham - who will qualify for Europe? You do not want to miss this match as the players trot out from the tunnel looking at the famous sign: "This Is Anfield".

Meantime, enjoy these goals. This is why I am hooked on soccer during the weekends. Which one is your favourite?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=700225080020086&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

...and the best 5 of the EPL:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=700482753327652&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Palace v Villa - In their last 3 meetings, there was a draw and a victory each. Based on current form and with home advantage it is a Palace victory. Palace had beaten Chelsea 1-0 and went to Cardiff and won 3-0. Villa after having thrashed Norwich 4-1 and shocked Chelsea 1-0 have lost 3 times on the go, a home 1-4 trouncing by Stoke followed by another 4-1 loss at Old Trafford and and then succumbed 1-2 at home to Fulham. Both teams are level on 34 points. 2-1.

Fulham v Norwich - Fulham a place behind Norwich is 5 points behind after their important away win at Villa. In their last 5 meet ups, the Canaries have never won and achieved 2 draws as best results and they last 2 matches were a 3-0 trouncing by Swansea and a 0-1 home loss to WBA. If Felix Magath motivates his men well the Cottagers could get another result here at home especially now that Norwich have sacked Chris Hughton as manager so they are not in good spirit. 2-1.

Southampton v Cardiff - Cardiff sit a point above bottom club Sunderland who have 2 matches in hand. Their position is precarious and their form atrocious having just lost 0-3 at home to Palace. Southampton lost to City in a match they could have fared better. In that first half they showed City scant respect and matched them with an equaliser. City second goal should have been disallowed as David Silva was clearly offside when he received the ball and released for Nasri to score. Soon City got a third. Unfortunately, their top scorer Jay Rodriguez suffered a knee injury which will ruled him out for awhile and he may even sadly miss the chance to vie for a England place for the World Cup. For that matter Rickie Lambert should be on that plane even just for him to take penalty kicks for England as he has no peers in this art scoring 34 out of 34 penalty kicks he has taken. Captain Adam Lallana has certainly got a foot and three toes on that plane as he has been a creative force, unpredictable and a creator and goal scorer too. Some top clubs may soon have their check books ready. Brendan Rodgers should sign him. 2-0. 

Stoke v Newcastle - It is 10th v 9th position. Stoke was on a roll until they got clinically crushed 3-0 by Chelsea. Newcastle have been in bad shape. They conceded 11 goals in 3 matches - 3 to Everton, 4 to Southampton and Man Utd each. Without hurting all their opponents once. This is disastrous and the Magpies are low in confidence. If they need history to save them, they they may see a little sunshine as Stoke have beaten them only once and lost the other 4 ties. Goals tally in these 5 matches was Newcastle 14 Stoke 5. There were no draw but the Magpies have been quite clueless in the second half of the season. Stoke win. 2-0.

Sunderland v Everton - A win and Sunderland could go above Cardiff and Fulham as they have 2 matches in hand versus the other two teams. Let's just compare each team's last 5 matches. Sunderland were DLLLL while Everton were WWWWW. Their last match was Tottenham 5 Sunderland 1 and Everton 3 Arsenal 0. You do the match. Gus Poyet's may not be able to save them. Everton is a point behind Arsenal but with a game in hand. They will not wish to miss the chance to go to Europe. Their performance against the Gunners was powerful. 0-2.

Watch: (Everton v Arsenal)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=699709136738347&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

WBA v Tottenham - The Baggies rest at 17th place level on points with Norwich with 32. They are not out of danger. Their away 1-0 win over Norwich was very important. Tottenham responded to the 4-0 beating by Liverpool with a 5-1 demolition of Sunderland at least temporarily vindicating Tim Sherwood for a fine job. 1-2.

Watch: (Tottenham v Sunderland)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=700397110002883&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Liverpool v Man City - If either team wins all their remaining matches they will be crowned champions. Anfield have been a fortress this season like the days of old. Brendan Rodgers have been brilliant making Liverpool play in such an exciting style and when they were somewhat off against West Ham, he was able to turn things around by taking out Coutinho and bringing in Lucas who was more discipline and controlled. Suarez was as amazing and he could have scored 2-3 goals crashing the cross bar with a inswinger from the left and later on the reverse side ramming the cross bar again with the outside of his right foot. Under such pressure, Captain Steven Gerrard calmy slotted in both penalties. The Hammers goal was a clear foul by Andy Carroll on Simon Mignolet. Why did the referee over ruled the linesman? 

City gave an excellent account of themselves with an emphatic 4-1 win over Southampton. They were lucky to be awarded the second goal which was a clear offside. City are now 4 points behind Liverpool but with 2 games in hand so a draw could still be better for them than the home side. City's result read WWWDW with a 15-2 goal difference. Liverpool's was WWWWW with a 17-5 goal difference. In their previous 5 meetings, they drew 3 times 2-2 and won a match each.Will Aguero play? Even if he does he may not have the match fitness. City's key man will be Yaya Toure and David Silva. This is a very important match for both teams and could be a decider. However, it may not be the end of the story as there are still games left to be played. Man City have yet to visit Goodison Park. The match could go either way but Liverpool's Suarez and Sturridge must work their magic. This is the kind of match that Suarez would like and to score in after all he is now ahead of even Ronaldo and Messi in the goals per game chart. It could end in a draw but I am taking a home win. This is Liverpool's biggest match of the season! 2-1. You'll Never Walk Alone!

Liverpool's new signing with skipper Steven Gerrard.


















(City v Saints)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=699254713450456&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Swansea v Chelsea - By their previous standard, Swansea is having a bad season while Chelsea are all consistency and even with their recent blip with losses to Villa, Palace and PSG they came back all guns blazing to stun PSG 2-0 in the returned leg to qualify for the semi-finals and will be meeting Atletico Madrid. It would be difficult to fathom Chelsea crumbling in this tie. Besides, the visitors have a deep enough squad to revitalise despite their mid-week romp which was at Stamford Bridge. However, Swansea's record against Chelsea have been quite good historically. Will Chelsea suffer another hiccup domestically? 1-2.

(Chelsea v Stoke)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=699339580108636&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater
Arsenal v West Ham - Arsenal crumbled at Goodison Park. Strange how their season came to this. Of course they have been unfortunate with injuries. They may now even miss out on European soccer after what? 16 years? It may actually be a good thing for the Gunners to miss Europe to re-focus on their future prospects. Their chance for a trophy comes when they meet Wigan on Saturday in the F.A. Cup and if they win just one more step. A scant consolation. Since their glorious days when they inherited an impregnable back line led by Tony Adams, a midfield and attack of Robert Pires, Patrick Viera, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, they lack a certain mentality. Do you remember that season which they did not lose a single match? Their soccer then was breathtaking. You saw how the Hammers battled Liverpool with their physical strength, aerial prowess and bombardment and this is a London derby. Can Arsenal bounce back as their saving grace by winning the F.A. Cup and then beat West Ham? In five previous meetings, Arsenal won all the matches. Arsenal win. 2-1.

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