Now that’s how you win a Premier League trophy. Arne Slot’s side were at their effervescent best this weekend, swatting aside a limp Spurs side 5-1.
It was a complete attacking performance, with four different players finding the net prior to Destiny Udogie’s own-goal. Salah drifted in and out of the match but embraced his inevitable moment, scoring the 4th goal in empathic fashion. Salah has been breathtaking this campaign, scoring more goals and creating more assists than any other player in European football. Slot is only the 5th manager in history to win the Premier League in his debut season. I think it’s important to give a brief acknowledgment to former Manager Jurgen Klopp. The German provided the framework for this title-winning success (that 2023 midfield overhaul paid rich dividends this season). Slot never shook the boat, going about his business with little fanfare. It will be interesting to see how he shapes the squad going forward (especially considering Trent’s seemingly inevitable departure).
City to meet Palace in FA Cup final
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City side have been bitterly disappointing this campaign. However, the Spanish tactician will still have a shot at collecting some silverware after reaching a 3rd successive FA Cup final. City bossed Nottingham Forest in their semifinal showdown, dictating play with 67% of the possession in their 2-0 win (they relegated Forest to just one shot on target). Austrian Oliver Glasner has to be a contender for the manager of the season. Crystal Palace were languishing in the bottom three when he took over in October and he has turned their fortunes around dramatically, guiding them to Premier League safety while orchestrating a remarkable FA Cup run. They put on a counterattacking masterclass this weekend, thrashing Aston Villa 3-0 despite having less than 30% possession. Eze and Sarr were electric, bamboozling Emery’s side with their pace and creativity. This will be Palace’s first trip to Wembley since 1990 (where they lost to Manchester United in the final). The final is actually a perfect match for Palace, who won’t mind surrendering possession to Guardiola’s side. Incidentally, this could turn into a nightmare season for any Manchester United, with all three of their chief rivals- Liverpool, City and Arsenal- potentially winning silverware this season.
McTominay on fire as Napoli seize control of Scudetto race
This has been the week from hell for Inter Milan. Simone Inzaghi’s men have lost three successive matches, crashing out of the Coppa Italia to city rivals Milan while ceding control of the title race to a resurgent Napoli. They were insipid this weekend, losing 1-0 at home to Bologna in a performance devoid of inspiration. Inter have the oldest squad in Italy and it has shown in recent weeks, with the likes of Calhanoglou and Barella starting to lag in the closing stages of the season. Lautaro Martinez’s goals have dried up (they have seriously missed the injured Thuram). Napoli took full advantage of the situation, easing to a comfortable 2-0 home win against Torino. Scott McTominay was once again in Frank Lampard mode, scoring a brace to cement his frontrunner status for Serie A player of the season. McTominay has been the man for the big occasion this year, breaking the deadlock in seven separate matches (the most for any player in Italian football this year).
Barca clinch Copa del Rey to complete first leg of potential treble
Barca have got Real’s number this season, notching up a 3rd successive Clasico win to claim their record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey triumph. Barca started the match in irrepressible fashion, with Lamal teeing up a Pedri piledriver in the 28th minute. Ancelotti brought on Kylian Mbappe at the break and the match swung dramatically in Real’s favour, with the French marksman scoring a stunning free-kick to level matters on the 70th minute. Los Blancos briefly had one hand on the cup, as Tchouameni emphatically headed home to give the Spanish giants a 77th minute lead. But Hansi Flick’s side once again showed tremendous character, with Ferran Torres scoring a late equalizer. Barca had a penalty ruled out due to VAR and the match went to extra time. Barca always looked the more better side in added time and the pressure ultimately told, with Jules Kounde- a rather unlikely hero- thrashing home the winner in the 116th minute. Tensions boiled over in the final stages, as the trio of Rudiger, Vasquez and Bellingham received their marching orders for varying acts of petulance (this Real side are possibly the worst losers in recent footballing history). Rudiger was particularly outlandish, dismissed for throwing an icepack at the referee. Barca will go into this week’s Champions League semifinal clash with Inter Milan absolutely bursting with confidence.
Bayern one step closer to regaining Bundesliga title
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich were efficiency personified this weekend, cruising past Mainz 3-0 to inch one step closer to the Meisterschale (Leverkusen delayed the title celebrations by beating Augsburg 2-0). Bayern were in control from the start against Mainz, with Leroy Sane opening the scoring with a wonderful solo goal in the 27th minute. Michael Olise was mesmeric throughout, netting the 2nd with a finish straight out of the Arjen Robben’s playbook. The winger turned creator in the 2nd half, setting up Eric Dier with a delicious corner. Dier has impressed in the latter portion of the season, stepping up in the absence of the injured Dayot Upamecano (it will be interesting to see if Bayern offer him a contract extension). You can only admire the way that the relatively inexperienced Vincent Kompany has marshalled his troops this season. Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen struggled to deal with the dual commitments of domestic action and Champions League football. Kompany’s side have been utterly relentless, scoring an incredible 90 goals in 31 matches (spearheaded by English captain Harry Kane). Bayern have the chance to seal the deal when they travel to Leipzig next week.
Player of the Week- Scott McTominay
I know it’s poor form to pick the same player in successive weeks: but I just couldn’t resist McTominay. The Scottish midfielder has done a full-on Granit Xhaka this season, reinventing himself in the heart of Napoli’s midfield. He was decisive this weekend, scoring a brace to put Napoli in pole position to claim the Serie A title.
