EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 35

Manchester City have been waiting to be crowned Champions and it was only a matter of time and this was despite them losing three matches in a row ( 2 in Champipns League to Liverpool and 1 to United). They did not even need to win at Tottenham which they did (3-1) in style as nearest rival United were shambolic in their home defeat by bottom club WBA. City were deserving winners as they stormed the league early on to make their lead unassailable. It cannot be said that Pep Guardiola has failed in any way. Before their next game below, they have scored 98 goals and 25 against based on 33 matches played (+68). United have 68/26 (+37), Liverpool have 78/35 (+43) having played a game more. Tottenham have 65/30 (+35). Even if Tottenham won their next game, they will only be level with Liverpool but behind on goal difference. It is not difficult to imagine that City could well dominate again as they build further under Pep from this season having wrapped up the gift with 5 matches to go. There was mastery of his philosophy from his players. Plus do not forget City enjoys dominance again in the transfer market. You can have an excellent plan for your bus routes or taxi rides but it helps when you father or grandfather has a car and not just a car but one that goes really fast from 0-100 in 5 seconds. Money bags City have it all. 

Chelsea were pegged further back 7 points behind in 5th with a faint hope of making it in case others falter. Liverpool must continue winning for they could still be caught. So too United. Those at the bottom are very much the same If bottom club WBA won all their remaining 4 matches they could garner 36 points. Probably only Everton and Newcastle in 9 and 10 are probably safe for the next season. This week games start from 18 April in the wee hours Singapore time, so I could only give you the low down from 21 April.

Before that, a tribute to Arsene Wenger. Wenger came as ex manager of Japanese club Grampus Eight to the Gunners in 1996. He has a modest playing career, has an unsuccessful period with Nancy before he joined Monaco and won the championship in 1988. After two years with Arsenal he won the League and Cup double. He won another Double in 2002 and led his invincible team to an undefeated season in 2004, a feat only last achieved by Preston North End 115 years before. Arsenal eclipsed Nottingham Forest's 42 match unbeaten record and went farther with seven more matches. In his time, Arsenal were the most beautiful soccer paying team with his "possession with progression'' philosophy. Wenger changed not only Arsenal but the face of English football and he discovered many young players and made them realise their potential as world stars. Arsene Wenger said this after announcing his final season in charge: "To all the Arsenal lovers, take care of the value of the club. My love and support forever." Also: ''When I retire, I will buy a season ticket, wear red and white, and hope Arsenal win on a Saturday." In today's cut throat world of mercenary money soccer, no one stand alone prouder and none has outlasted him. He is a soccer purist. Only I have stayed longer with one club. I perfectly understood him. Au Revoir Monsieur Wenger!

Brighton v Tottenham - Played. 1-1.

Bournemouth v Manchester United - Played. 0-2.

Burnley v Chelsea - Played. 1-2.

Leicester City v Southampton - Played. 0-0.

WBA v Liverpool - Firmino has been sensational. His goal last weekend v Bournemouth was his 25th in all competition and everyone was saying the Reds needs a proper 20-goal-a-season poacher. He won more tackles among the top six clubs' defenders save for Chelsea's Alonso. Firmino link up excellently with Mane and Salah, nicks balls from defenders, presses really well up front, has great movement and works like hell for 90 minutes. He is selfless, has more assists than any other forwards, made more sprints, covered more distance. He is not greedy,  very intelligent, has no ego, plays with a smile and has the best goal celebration. Even Klopp described him as world-class everyday! To me, Bobby Firmino is the most completer player. He is such an amazing and bloody great player. So, why is he not shortlisted among the top six for PFA player of the year? Heck, he is not even in the Premier League best XI.

Mohamed Salah has 40 goals in 45 games! Simply amazing! with 30 of them in the league. Not since 1984 has any Liverpool player done so and he has scored more thsn Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Fernando Torres or Luis Suarez in a season and has a minimum of six games to equal Ian Rush's record with seven more and he is only a winger. He should be crowned Player of the Year!

The Baggies would once again be playing just for their pride. They won at Old Trafford last week and was no small feat. Using that yardstick they could also thwart Liverpool. While Liverpool will play to win to keep 3rd and ensure Champions League qualification, their eyes must also surely be on the mid-week tie against Roma. Liverpool must hope to avoid injuries to their key players and yet try to win here. I hope Bobby Firmino gets a special goal here. 0-2.

Watford v Crystal Palace - The Hornets are in rotten form. Palace are battling with Wilfried Zaha in superb form.  Will Watford by fried by Wil? He was amazing last week. Seemed like the old man Roy Hodgson has done the best job. 1-2.

Arsenal v West Ham - The Gunners were downed by an excellent Newcastle last week adding to Wenger's nightmare. Otherwise, they were doing quite well recently. Alexander Lacazette and Aubameyang's partnership may actually flourish as have been evidence. The Hammers have not been beaten in their last three and while impressive against Chelsea away, they were held 1-1 at home by Stoke. Joe Hart is an enigma unto himself. Confident and an excellent shot stopper, he has fumbled on some big occasions in recent times but he totally redeemed himself in the Hammers 1-1 draw with Chelsea as he kept West Ham in the game on many occasions and just when you think maybe he should go to the World Cup after all and then he was back to his fumbling ways as he gave Stoke a goal in their 1-1 draw. Arsenal should reign superior in this London derby. The added announcement of Arsene Wenger stepping down will have a  major effect. 2-0.

Stoke City v Burnley - Even as Burnley have lost to  Chelsea, they  have won all five in a row. Their momentum is very strong. The Clarets have a strong back line to begin with as only Man City and Man United have conceded less. Meanwhile, Stoke have only scored 8 goals since January. Go figure out. Even at home, it i shard to see the Potters getting a win here and they have given away 64 goals so far. As it is, the visiting team has a really good chance to score another win. 0-1.

Manchester City v Swansea - City are out of Europe and won the title. Will they just go all out to score more to create records or would they be experimenting as Pep Guardiola try out new ideas? After a long season, will they slacken? His preparation for next season begins here? Pep and the City are in a good place to build on from here. 3-1.

Everton v Newcastle - The Magpies won four matches consecutively and are just one point behind Everton with a game in hand. This is a game where they could leapfrog their opponent especially when the Toffees have not won in their last three. Sam Allardyce has not improved Everton's fortune but out of the top six teams, Everton do have a solid home record. 1-1.