Chelsea Move One Step Closer To Glory
Chelsea's title bid has been very much in cruise control for months now, and despite two defeats in three games slowing their progress, they've kept Spurs successfully at arms length by navigating a couple of tricky fixtures. As far as results go, beating an Everton side who had only lost one game at home all season 0-3 is extremely impressive, especially under the pressure of knowing that a slip up could have moved Spurs within striking distance.
And whilst for long periods it looked like it was going to be a close game, as Everton created a few decent chances in the first half, ultimately it was always the prospective Champions who looked the more likely to have the cutting edge, just has they had a few days earlier against Southampton. It took 66 minutes but a moment of pure quality from Pedro gave the Blues a much-needed lead. But the moment of the match came ten minutes from time when Stekelenburg fumbled a low free kick, allowing Gary Cahill to stab home from close range.
This was the second massive goal that Cahill has scored in a week, and his sixth league goal of the season. But most importantly, it was probably the moment that won Chelsea the title. You could see on the faces of every Chelsea player, member of staff and fan that this win against Everton was the big one, their hardest remaining game by a mile, and having navigated it, they're just nine points, that is to say three wins, from glory. Watford, West Brom, Sunderland and Middlesbrough stand in their way.
But there was still time for them to cut loose and play some stylish football, as Cesc Fabregas and Willian, two players that have played crucial cameos in Chelsea's season, combined magnificently for the Brazilian to tap in a third late on. The pressure was off, and Chelsea were enjoying themselves.
For Everton, this was another stark reminder that for all of their good play this season, as good as their home form is, they simply cannot yet compete with the top teams. They're currently 7th and could finish ten points off Champions League qualification, which is now all but mathematically impossible as they're eight points behind Man City with three games left to play and an inferior goal difference.
But nevertheless, Everton have made significant progress this season, despite losing John Stones to injury. And whilst they don't look close to penetrating the top six just yet, they've done well to establish themselves as part of a top seven, and set themselves well ahead of the chasing pack.
North London is White
Having Chelsea swamp Everton, it may well be a slightly bittersweet result for Spurs, but on the other hand, all but sealing a top two finish and guaranteeing you'll finish ahead of your bitterest rivals for the first time in over 20 years by absolutely smashing them in your last ever derby on your current ground is not too shabby at all. This was a visceral performance of total and utter domination by Spurs and the only surprise is that the scoreline doesn't reflect that. A Bayern Munich level 5-1 disaster would only fail to reflect the scoreline because Arsenal never looked like scoring.
As Dele Alli and then Christian Eriksen missed first half open goals, you got the sense that this might not be Spurs' day, but Dele made amends with a scrambled finish before Harry Kane won and scored a penalty to put the game to bed. And more goals might have come as Spurs were denied a second clear-cut penalty, hit the woodwork, and Cech had to be at full strength to keep Spurs' vibrant young side at bay, including a couple of stunning efforts from Jan Vertonghen.
It's a common misnomer in football that form goes out the window for a derby, and a misnomer that Spurs did their best to sweep aside. Spurs should have won this on paper, as their home form was imperious and Arsenal's away form shambolic. But, plenty of people, myself included, thought that that might not matter in such a big game. In the end, Spurs made it look just as easy as it was on paper. Arsenal simply didn't have any answers, they were inferior to their rivals in just about every respect. St Totteringham's Day is cancelled.
For Spurs, they might not win the title again this year, but this result shows that they simply aren't going anywhere. Courtesy of their vastly superior goal difference, they only need a point from their last four points to secure a top two finish, and they'll hunt Chelsea to the very end. If they can strengthen their depth up front and in defence, then they'll be serious title contenders again next year, as their team is improving all the team, which is terrifying given how far ahead of the pack they currently look.
But for every good thing to say about Spurs in the aftermath of this whitewash, there is a bad thing to say about Arsenal. They now need a miracle to get top four football, a miracle that needs to begin by beating Manchester United, a tall order given how effectively Mourinho's side were able to shut out two of the most dangerous sides in the league in City and Chelsea. Whilst United might have only won two games against the top six this season, they've managed draws in four of their eight games, so will be a tough nut to crack. Nevertheless, anything less than maximum points from their last five games leaves Arsenal with next to no hope, and with Stoke and Southampton away, not to mention Everton and United still to play, that simply doesn't look likely.
The Hard and Fast Section
- United and City gifting Liverpool breathing room. Awful.
- Emre Can.
- A phenomenal World Snooker Championship Final. Selby a worthy winner.
- Anthony Joshua. What a man. What a fight.
- Ben Stokes. Wallop.
- Athletics really is in trouble, isn't it?
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