A TENSE weekend has proven once again that the margins for error are paper-thin as the most hotly contested Premier League in years approaches its endgame.
At the very top, Arsenal look like they are already looking for excuses for coming second while Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United seem to be going from strength to strength.
Despite the unfair treatment that Avram Grant is receiving while trying to sort out the mess left by Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are still in the hunt as well, especially if they can capitalise on their home games against the top two.
The race for a fourth place, that represents a magnificent bonus for some and a financial imperative for others, is equally gripping. The wider football world were forced to sit up and take notice of Everton after their televised mauling of Manchester City on Monday night, and much of the mainstream media this week has focussed on the battle between the Merseyside clubs for the final Champions League place.
In doing so though, they have probably done Aston Villa something of a disservice. In a short space of time, Martin O’Neill has instilled the same sort of values into the Midlanders as David Moyes has as Everton.
They work hard, compete for everything and then their better players inflict the damage on their opponents. They certainly took the game to Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday and but for Nicklas Bendtner’s late goal they could have significantly altered the look of the league table in Sunday’s papers.
Villa are still a genuine threat though, as the likes of Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers start to lose touch somewhat, but yesterday afternoon it all boiled down to the Reds and the Blues again as everyone waited to see who held their nerve. As it transpired, Rafael Benitez’s men were too strong for Bolton Wanderers and recorded a pretty straightforward if unspectacular away win.
In fairness, despite the good work that Gary Megson has done at the Reebok, no-one was surprised to see Liverpool dispatch the Trotters comfortably, such is their away form this season. If anything, it’s at Anfield that the nerves seem more likely to affect them.
That invited a reply from the Blues and there certainly seemed to be no sign of any nerves from them when Aiyegbeni Yakubu opened the scoring in the first minute. Portsmouth are a good side though and when Everton failed to turn their possession into real chances and goals there was always the feeling that Harry Redknapp’s big, talented side would get a chance at some point.
And give Jamie’s dad his due, the reason he bought Jermain Defoe was to convert opportunities in tight matches and the ex-Spurs man never let him down when the impressive Glen Johnson crossed into the box.
If fans are honest, whenever their game is on the television they always imagine opposing supporters sat at home or in the pub whenever a goal goes in at either end. Liverpool fans must have been delighted when Defoe scored then. They must have been even happier when they saw the effect that the equaliser had Everton as well. For a long time afterwards their confidence looked dented and although neither goalkeeper had a lot to do, the visitors looked the more dangerous until Andy Johnson was introduced in the second half.
Now, down the years David Moyes has been criticised for many things by Goodison’s more difficult to please elements, but his ability to make key substitutions has been the stick he’s been most frequently beaten with.
He’s making a habit of answering his detractors though – just look at the style of football that ‘long ball Everton’ now play – and he did it again when he sent Johnson on in place of Tony Hibbert.
The England man’s pace and energy definitely swung the game back in the Blues’ favour, and his ball for the final goal was worthy of David Beckham, the player he kind of looks and sounds a bit like. In a certain light.
That said, Yakubu still had some work to do after receiving the pass, but Goodison seemed in little doubt that the ball was going to end up in the back of the net. The Nigerian is simply sensational at the moment. He’s Everton’s best player by a country mile, whatever we might chin-strokingly say about Lee Carsley, and in fact apart from Cristiano Ronaldo it’s difficult to think of a player in the whole country who looks more dangerous than the Blues’ record signing. He really is that good.
Another big week’s in store though, as they face their stiffest test in Europe by some distance and then a trip to the Stadium of Light, by which time Liverpool will have played their magic game in hand. The excitement and the anticipation is both nerve-wracking and exquisite in equal measure.
