Twenty-Fourth Week Premiership Football Conclusions

It’s been another cracking week in the world of Premiership football; Chelsea broke 4 points clear at the top, Man City‘s problems mount under Mancini and Zola‘s West Ham see light at the end of the tunnel.

Youth stakes claim at Goodison. Fresh from mounting a stunning come-from-behind victory over league leaders Chelsea, Everton worked their magic again this weekend fighting back from one-nil down to secure an impressive 3-1 home win over Manchester United. The Toffees have two England youth internationals to thank for their triumph - Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling both chipped in with crucial goals to provide Moyes with a glimmer of hope amidst a season marred by key injury absentees.

Gold and Sullivan oversee West Ham revival. Despite a recent war of words between co-owner David Sullivan and manager Gianfranco Zola threatening to unsettle West Ham‘s push for survival, since the arrival of new owners Gold and Sullivan, West Ham have secured 8 points from a possible 15. Their sudden upturn in form sees the Eastenders shoot up to 13th in the table, a far cry from relegation certainties only 6 weeks ago.

Chelsea pull away at the top. Chelsea fans descended on the Midlands safe in the knowledge that a win would take them 4 points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premiership. Having recorded one win in seven away league fixtures prior to the trip to Wolverhampton, the Blues again failed to impress away from Stamford Bridge, relying once again on a Didier Drogba double to save their blushes at Molineux.

Manchester City’s problems mount. Roberto Mancini‘s honeymoon is well and truly over. A 0-0 home tie to Liverpool sees Manchester City‘s quest for Champions League football take a devastating turn for the worse. Crucial losses to Everton and Hull coupled with recent press reports of dressing room discontent were always going to negatively impact City‘s challenge for a top four finish. Desperate to get their challenge for 4th spot back on track, City welcomed Liverpool - their main challengers for the last Champions League birth – to the Eastlands. The Reds and the Sky Blues played out a dour draw opening the door for Spurs and Villa to sneak that coveted 4th place.

Villa take the initiative. Aston Villa and Burnley brewed up a goal fest at Villa Park as Martin O’Neill‘s side ran out deserved 5-2 winners. The first time the Villa faithful had witnessed 7 goals since May, 1999, Aston Villa‘s triumph over struggling Burnley sees them edge to within one point of 4th spot. Burnley on the other hand face an altogether different end of season prospect. Having started the campaign so brightly beating Manchester United and Everton in their first three fixtures, Burnley now sit second from bottom with Championship football beckoning.

The impressive Stewart Downing put Burnley to the sword