Football
7 Truths: United can forget about top four, Chelsea finally have swagger back
Manchester United's top-four hopes are over, but Chelsea's confidence has finally returned in a big way - plus why Wayne Rooney needs a fresh challenge.
United can forget about Champions League
Manchester United's hopes of finishing in the Champions League places were dealt another setback as they lost 2-1 away at Sunderland and the manner of the defeat gave very little encouragement for the rest of the campaign. Louis van Gaal has previously conceded that his job would be at serious risk if United were to fail to secure a top-four spot and that now looks like a very firm probability. With the top four playing each other this weekend, United squandered a glorious chance to haul themselves back into the mix, but instead they are set to be cut further adrift. With the title race so open, the fact that United are not even able to seriously challenge for the top four says it all about Van Gaal’s dismal campaign.
Chelsea finally have their swagger back
Ahead of the game with Newcastle, Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink bemoaned his side's lack of killer instinct - but the fact that the game was over as a contest as early as the 17th minute after goals from Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian demonstrated how clearly his message resonated with his players. Chelsea are now 12 games unbeaten since Hiddink arrived at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, but this was the first that the players appeared to have fully restored their confidence and swagger. The way the Blues powered past Newcastle showed both how insipid the same players were earlier in the season and how vibrant and dynamic their play now is under the Dutchman. What could have been.
Ronaldo is unstoppable… at the Bernabeu
The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 10 goals at home since his last one away from the Bernabeu – against Eibar back in November - shows just how stark the contrast is for the Real Madrid forward. Ronaldo has scored 14 of his 21 league goals at home this season and has frequently struggled for form and confidence (okay, maybe not that last word, actually) away from the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are now just a point behind Barcelona - albeit with Luis Enrique’s side having a game in hand against Celta Vigo on Sunday – and if Ronaldo can replicate his home form on the road for the rest of the campaign they could embark upon a very special run.
Adebayor could be an inspired signing
Alan Pardew was so desperate for a decent striker that he turned to a man who had not scored since October 2014 – but bringing in Emmanuel Adebayor could yet turn out to be an inspired move. With his talent and goalscoring ability not in doubt, Pardew will be banking on his man-management to ensure that Adebayor produces what he is clearly capable of at Selhurst Park. On a reportedly incentive-heavy contract, Adebayor has a lot to gain from his move to Palace and can prove a lot of his doubters wrong. The risk for Pardew? It’s a very small one indeed. His header against Watford reminded everyone of what he can do with the faith of his manager and an opportunity to be the main man once more.
Sunderland look set to survive yet again
Every year, seemingly without fail, Sunderland appear totally doomed before somehow turning it around in the tail end of the campaign. Again, a lethargic and potentially dismal season is showing very promising signs of being salvaged. Sam Allardyce’s appointment at the Stadium of Light was heralded as a ‘get out of the relegation zone free pass’ and, although it has taken some time for him to stamp his authority on the situation, the club’s third Premier League win over United in 30 attempts should go a long way to inspiring the millionth Great Escape.
Wayne Rooney needs a new challenge
It’s very rare to hear a footballer sound quite as down as Rooney did after United’s defeat to Sunderland. Yes, players are upset, frustrated, disappointed and sometimes even angry in their post-match interviews, but Rooney sounded utterly despondent and downtrodden. The England captain looked very much like a man who needs a new challenge – and yes, you can replace the word challenge with club. The apparently inevitable change of manager may represent the timely refresher that he so badly appears to require, but even with a change of atmosphere at the club Rooney still comes across as a player in need of a totally new environment. At his age, it could be just what he needs.
Southampton are no longer in crisis
Southampton are now in sixth place with goalkeeper Fraser Forster having extended his run of clean sheets to six after the 1-0 win over Swansea. This, let us remember, is the very same club managed by the very same man, that were the ‘club in crisis’ of a few months back. It is 633 minutes since Forster and Southampton last conceded in the Premier League and now Ronald Koeman’s upstarts are in a perfect position to leapfrog a reeling United, who currently occupy fifth spot. Just one point behind Van Gaal’s struggling side, Southampton have everything to gain from the final part of the season after a magnificent run of form. How quickly things can change
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