As the fight to avoid the drop intensifies, we look at why the affected clubs are struggling, what will decide their fate and whether their managers are to blamePl 35 GD -15 Pts 37 Related: Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend Related: Leicester City v West Ham United: match preview Related: Bournemouth v Swansea City: match preview Related: Stoke City v Crystal Palace: match preview Remaining matches Continue reading...
Liam Rosenior knows the qualities he and his Brighton team-mates will need to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday – and insists it is far from ‘just another game’Selhurst Park is always a tricky place to go and we have been preparing for more of the same when we travel there for a crucial game on Saturday afternoon. It’s not the same as Manchester City’s “once in a lifetime” chance to win the Premier League title against their city rivals but if either we or Crystal Palace take three points from the match it will go a long way to keeping us up this season.Yes, bragging rights are important for both sets of fans but there is so much more than...
Danny Welbeck remains an enigma, Marko Arnautovic goes it alone and Rafael Benítez delivers a lesson to his bossDanny Welbeck stayed true to form by mixing the sublime with the ridiculous during Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Southampton, producing a contender for miss of the season moments before nodding in the winner. The striker’s header was his second goal of the afternoon and proof, perhaps, that he is getting back to his best after an injury‑ravaged season. “Danny Welbeck is getting sharper,” Arsène Wenger said. “I am pleased for him. I have seen him behave when it was really hard. He had every reason to feel sorry for himself and feel the mountain was too big to climb – right knee,...
With a win in Friday’s Championship clash all but guaranteeing a top-flight place, it’s worth considering how much reaching the Premier League means to every employee at a clubWe’ve been wowed by the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and blown away by Liverpool’s performance against Manchester City but this week’s crucial games aren’t over yet. The Champions League quarter‑finals may be only at half-time but in the Championship there is a match that is about more than a trophy because it has the potential to change the lives of the players, backroom staff, the kitman and even the tea lady.Cardiff v Wolves on Friday night is a huge game, where the victor is all but guaranteed a place at the top...
Arsène Wenger is given a striking decision, Hugo Lloris climbs the wrong table and Christian Benteke’s woes rumble onAlexandre Lacazette heard one of the loudest cheers when he came on for Danny Welbeck against Stoke City. Arsène Wenger said Welbeck had hurt his back and so Lacazette’s return from a knee injury seemed even more timely – given Arsenal play CSKA Moscow in the Europa League on Thursday, for which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied. Wenger loved the gesture Aubameyang made towards the end, passing up a possible hat-trick by allowing the Frenchman to take their second penalty – from which he scored. The manager said it showed the strikers had a good understanding. But can they prosper together in the...