Title All But Won
Well that was unexpected. Of all the games you were looking at Tottenham to drop points in, this was not the one. A home game against West Brom, that's a two or three nil win surely? But, with Leicester so triumphant yesterday, the cracks started to show in this Spurs side. Hugo Lloris made a critical error that cost his side the two points that will surely lose them the title, Harry Kane couldn't find the back of the net, denied by the brilliance of Boaz Myhill, and Dele Alli completely lost his cool and punched Claudio Yacob in the chest: an act expected to earn him a three game ban. This was a night in which Spurs' title credentials went up in smoke, leaving Leicester needing just three points from their last three games to secure the title, and that's even assuming that Spurs don't drop anymore points, with a potentially sticky trip to Chelsea to come, albeit one a Spurs side on top form would expect to win.
But then, a Spurs side anywhere near top form would have been expected to do the job against Tony Pulis' West Brom side, If there was one player that you'd have put money on to be the one to win the title for Leicester, you'd have said it would be Jamie Vardy or Riyad Mahrez, not Craig Dawson. Dawson, who put through his own net, took advantage of an error from Lloris to head home off a corner, and send Leicester into pandemonium.
Before then, it had looked like one way traffic, as Spurs dominated: Dele Alli pulling the strings, Eriksen, Kane and Lamela all hitting the woodwork, it looked like business as usual. Until it wasn't. And with Spurs losing their composure, the pressure was too much for them and they couldn't find their way past to get the win that they needed.
So now? The title is all but over. Everton and Chelsea will not prove the most stern opposition for Leicester, and even if they can only muster a point against Manchester United, a game that Leicester are favourites to win anyway, any dropped points from Spurs from here on out mean that it's mathematically game over. Leicester are seven points clear with three games to play, Spurs need nothing short of a miracle.
Now seems like a good time to credit Spurs one more time before the inevitable unanimous praise that Leicester City well and truly deserve means that they'll be buried amongst it. Because honestly, Spurs have been exceptional this season. Among the highest scores, with Harry Kane showing he's got a bright future as one of the stars of football for the next decade, with the likes of Eric Dier and Dele Alli showing that England's midfield also has a bright future. And defensively, Toby Alderweireld has easily been the best defender in the league this year, contributing to Spurs having the best defence in the league. They've been a joy to watch at times and they thoroughly deserve to be where they are, finishing ahead of City, Arsenal and United, which they hopefully and probably will still accomplish. And make no mistake, Spurs aren't going anywhere, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them lifting the title next year, if they can bolster their options nicely in the summer, bringing in some cover for Kane, Dier and Dembele. Because my only criticism of this Tottenham side is their lack of options. They have too many individuals who are vital to the team. Dier, Dembele, Alli, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane, Lloris and Alderweireld. Too many times this season they've dropped points and it's been because of a different member of their starting eleven hasn't been there. Every single individual plays a vital role, but when one individual is missing, it wreaks havoc with Spurs' style of play.
As for West Brom, they'll be happy with enough season cemented in the Premier League and comfortably so. Inching closer to a midtable finish, level on points with 11th place Everton and looking like there's no chance that they'll go down next season either, West Brom will be hoping to emulate the likes of Stoke and West Ham, creeping up the table, making sure that the focus is on solidity and stability and then they can start to add some flair players that will give them a bit of momentum and hopefully springboard them up the table. They've been in the Premier League for six years now, but only two seasons ago they were very nearly relegated. After years of being a yo-yo club, West Brom will hope that they are finally establishing themselves as a Premier League club in the long run.
But enough about Tottenham because quite frankly, this season is Leicester's and it's about time that we let them enjoy it.
Champions League Preview
Tonight: Man City take on Real Madrid in a clash of the European titans. It would be very easy to write City off before this tie has even started, such is the pedigree of the Madrid side that they face. But Madrid have looked nowhere their best this season, and have scraped into this stage after struggling against lowly Wolfsburg, as well as some high profile poor league performances. Apart from a narrow win against the run of play against Barca, who have slid incredibly since, Madrid haven't looked overly impressive when put under pressure.
That said, City may not have the defensive prowess to put Real Madrid under any real pressure. Certainly both De Bruyne and Aguero would not look out of place in Madrid's front four, but how many other City players would stand a chance of getting into Madrid's side? Kompany? Hart? Both maybes but nobody else jumps out.
Even so, Aguero and De Bruyne in particular, but also the likes of David Silva and maybe Raheem Sterling can cause Madrid real problems on the counter attack and we could be in for an immense, goalscoring feast of football. Otamendi has been immense at the back for City in recent weeks and if he, alongside Kompany and Hart, turns in another stoic display then I fancy City to cause an upset here, especially if there's doubts over whether Ronaldo is 100% fit.
The Hard and Fast Section
- Vardy will serve a one match ban. Deserved.
- Justice for the 96. And long overdue too.
- Lots of snow and hail ruining the cricket. Standard.
- Ronnie O'Sullivan out! That is a shock.
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