Ahead of every weekend this season I will give you my three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League and the soccer world at large. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather my personal observations as the games approach each Saturday.
What might have been for PSG and Barca
Barcelona’s win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League this week is a game that we will never stop talking about. PSG have been vilified, of course, and this one result might be enough to end Unai Emery’s brief managerial tenure.
But it shouldn’t be forgotten that if Edinson Cavani had scored rather than hit the post, if Marc-Andre ter Stegen had not got a toe to another Cavani shot, if Javier Mascherano’s handball had been spotted, and if just one of Luis Suarez or Neymar’s dives had been called (instead of earning a penalty), the headlines would have been so different.
I am not sure if we can class this match as a great match, or even a great performance, but it certainly provided great drama.
FA Cup on Sportsnet: Watch all four matches from the FA Cup quarterfinals live on Sportsnet this weekend. Consult the broadcast schedule || Sportsnet World NOW
Chelsea pulling away from the pack
Everything else on Wednesday was overshadowed by the scenes in Barcelona, which was a good thing for the Premier League as it had to deal with a rather abject 0-0 draw between Manchester City and Stoke.
That result all but ends City’s distant hopes of catching Chelsea, although in truth those hopes were dashed long ago. Stoke were impressive in shutting down City, but what it all means is that Chelsea enjoys a 10-point lead atop the table. Antonio Conte’s men are doing it with such balance on the domestic front, and they look capable of making serious noise in next year’s Champions League.
Naturally the skill players are stealing most of the headlines, but Chelsea’s steal and tenacity is something that is beginning to stand out. It’s as if Jose Mourinho’s ethos during his successful terms at Stamford Bridge remains a part of the DNA of the club, but they have been able to add flare and excitement under Conte.
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FA Cup mingles with the Premier League
This is a strange weekend, with the FA Cup interrupting the Premier League with only four topflight matches spread out over Saturday and Sunday.
As much as I would like to see Lincoln or even Millwall shock and progress to the semifinals of the Cup, a final four featuring Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City would inject some big game feel into the tournament.
The Cup will be hoping for such a star studded final four, although it will play mayhem with the Premier League schedule makers.
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