More Than A Game Weekly
Arsenal closing in after VAR drama and Barca smash Madrid to win LaLiga.
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THE TOP STORY
There’s still two games left to go, but matches against a relegated Burnley team and a Crystal Palace side that will be preparing for a maiden European final should not present hurdles to this Arsenal team, albeit a trip to Selhurst Park should never be considered a gimme.
No, it felt like the last obstacle for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners to overcome in their quest for Premier League glory was West Ham, at the London Stadium on Sunday. And by hook or by crook, and with a little help from VAR, they got over the line.
Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute goal got the job done. That came after Mateus Fernandes had squandered a golden chance for the relegation-threatened Hammers, with David Raya pulling off a potentially title-winning save.
Raya was in the thick of it, though, deep in stoppage time, as he flapped at a corner. Callum Wilson hammered home the rebound. West Ham were going to move onto level pegging with Tottenham and Manchester City suddenly had their destiny in their own hands.
But no. VAR. The dreaded delay. The agonising wait.
Eventually, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the screen. The VAR, Darren England, had spotted a potential foul on Raya by Pablo, whose arm was across the goalkeeper.
Fair enough, it’s a foul. But then what about all the other fouls (I count at least four) occurring in the same five-yard space, from both sets of players. If anything, the foul on Raya is the softest of the lot.
If Arsenal go on to win the title from here, it will be because they have been the most consistent team. But PGMO’s inconsistent approach to dealing with the rough and tumble from set-pieces is what led them to this dramatic decision, one which may have just decided the outcome of the title race.
We’re seeing far too much of it, and until referees start getting some bottle, and treat the ridiculous grapples with the same harsh touch as they apply to a clip on a goalkeeper, then the ludicrousness will only continue.
Man City, meanwhile, can only do their best — they have to win their last three games; that doesn’t change. But the chances of Arsenal slipping up from here on in look slim.
CLASICO CONQUEST PUTS BARCA ON TOP
That’s now three of Europe’s top five leagues settled, and Barcelona did it in some style, beating their fierce rivals 2-0.
They made light work of Real Madrid, with Marcus Rashford scoring a spectacular free-kick and Ferran Torres putting the Blaugrana in control.
Fittingly, Barca’s win saw them clinch back-to-back LaLiga titles, and capped a miserable season for Los Blancos.
Barca boss Hansi Flick lost his father over the weekend, but the German was on the touchline to celebrate with his team.
“This morning, my mum called me and she said that my father passed away. And so I thought about [whether] I should hide it or should I speak with my team?” Flick said.
“For me it’s like a family and I said I want to get the information to the players.
“What they did was unbelievable. I will never forget this moment.”
Flick is the fourth Barca coach in the 21st century to win LaLiga in his each of his first two seasons at the club.
Madrid, meanwhile, need to do some self-reflection.
Why they elected to part ways with Xabi Alonso, who was doing just fine, is beyond this writer, but it seems squad ill-discipline played its part. Well, that’s got worse under Alvaro Arbeloa, who was never qualified to take over.
The last week has been full of drama, and Madrid were once again without Kylian Mbappe on Sunday, with plenty of fans suspecting he is now prioritising his fitness fo the World Cup.
Is Jose Mourinho really the answer to Madrid’s problems?
They will end the season trophyless, and after chasing Alonso for so long, their fans should be demanding answers from Florentino Perez.
THE SUB-PLOTS
Bournemouth are now unbeaten in 16 league games, and it looks increasingly likely Andoni Iraola will bow out having led the Cherries to Europe. What an extraordinary achievement, especially considering the squad upheaval he had to deal with last summer, not to mention, the sale of Antoine Semenyo in January. Bournemouth have not lost a game since Semenyo was sold to Man City, and should Astom Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, which is definitely a possibility, then Bournemouth could even end up in the Champions League. At this stage, you wouldn’t even bet against them gatecrashing the top five.
Was that one hammer blow too many for West Ham? They are only a point off Tottenham, but with Spurs playing later on Monday, that gap could be stretched to four by the time the Hammers play again. They thought they had snatched a point but it was clawed away from them. They now need a huge favour from Leeds United, who like Nottingham Forest, are now safe.
Everton have left themselves with too much to do, surely? They are level on points with Chelsea, only two off eighth-place Brentford, but the Toffees are now winless in five games after their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. With Brighton surging into the top seven, it looks like it’s a case of five teams battling for one spot across the final two matches, and that one spot (eighth) will be enough for Europe only if Man City win the FA Cup. If Chelsea get their hands on the trophy at Wembley, then the European dream for most of these teams is over, unless the Blues somehow turn their form around and finish in the top seven.
Celtic came back to beat Rangers 3-1 in the Old Firm derby and tee up an intriguing end to the Scottish Premiership title race. Hearts will win the title on Wednesday should they beat Falkirk and the Hoops lose to Motherwell, but any other results will see Hearts head to Celtic Park next week for a title decider. A thrilling finale.
COMING UP
A few highlight fixtures for this week (all times GMT).
Monday: Spurs v Leeds (20:00) — PL
Wednesday: Man City v Crystal Palace (20:00), PSG v Lens (20:00) — PL, Ligue 1
Friday: Aston Villa v Liverpool (20:00)
Saturday: Man City v Chelsea (15:00) — FA Cup
Sunday: Newcastle United v West Ham (17:30) — PL