Liverpool inched closer to a record-equaling 20th Premier League title thanks to a late Virgil van Dijk goal, while Barcelona maintained their lead in LaLiga.
Liverpool inch further closer to record-equalling 20th top-flight title
I feel like there’s been an attempt by some in the media to minimize Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League title victory. Have they been as breathlessly kinetic as Klopp’s vintage Liverpool side?
No. Have Man City fallen off a 115-foot cliff this year? Yes. But that shouldn’t take away from how dominant this victory is going to be. Liverpool were once again made to work this weekend, with West Ham providing sterner resistance than many anticipated.
Liverpool dominated the early stages, with Luiz Diaz eventually giving the Reds a deserved 18th-minute lead. The game was open from that point on, with Allison and Areola forced into a series of brilliant saves. West Ham ultimately levelled matters, with Andy Roberston diverting the ball into his own net during a goalmouth melee.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man, as captain Virgil van Djik rose to thump in a header in the 89th minute, taking the Reds 13 points clear with six games to go. Arsenal dropped points against Everton this weekend (clearly still coming back down to earth after their seismic victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates).
That means that Liverpool can win the title next week if they win and Arsenal lose (which is entirely possible given the enormity of Arsenal’s upcoming European fixture).
Barcelona maintain four-point La Liga lead over bitter rivals Real Madrid
Barcelona and Real Madrid- who enjoyed contrasting fortunes in their midweek Champions League ties- both scraped through 1-0 in their respective domestic assignments this weekend. Barcelona were first at bat, taking on relegation-threatened Leganes on Saturday.
They were far from their fluid best throughout the match (despite only making two changes from the side that trounced Dortmund at the Nou Camp).
Leganes were desperately fighting for survival while Barca struggled to recapture the magic of Wednesday night. In fact, no Barca player found the scoresheet at Leganes, as Jorge Saenz turned a delicious Raphinha cross into his own net in the 48th minute.
Hansi Flick’s side missed a host of chances to extend their lead and were almost made to pay, with the offside flag coming to the rescue when Leganes thought they had snatched an equalizer.
Flick’s treble-chasing side have shown real character this season, able to grind out results when their much-vaunted fluidity is absent.
Real Madrid also had their struggles against relegation fodder this weekend, holding on for an insipid 1-0 win at Alaves. Madrid were humbled by Arsenal in an uncharacteristically lethargic European outing.
All of Real’s attention is currently fixed on overturning that 3-0 first-leg deficit, resulting in a subdued domestic spectacle this weekend.
The ever-versatile Eduardo Camavinga scored the decisive goal in the match, curling in an outstanding long-range effort in the 34th minute. Goal-scoring maestro Kylian Mbappe put Ancelotti’s men under more pressure than necessary, receiving a direct red after his late, reckless lunge left Antonio Blanco writhing in pain.
Los Blancos weathered the numerical disadvantage well, and parity was ultimately restored, with Manu Sanchez sent off for a similarly reckless challenge in the 70th minute.
Missed opportunities in a frustrating week of Bundesliga action
Defending German champions Bayer Leverkusen really had a chance to squeeze Bundesliga pacesetters Bayern this weekend. Die Roten were a wounded beast after losing at home to Inter Milan this week.
Leverkusen missed their chance to turn the screws on Kompany’s side, drawing 0-0 at home to a resolute Union Berlin side. Die Werkself dominated possession and chances but just couldn’t apply the finishing touch (even with the return of talismanic attacking player Florian Wirtz).
They look out of ideas, and it will be interesting to see if Alonso can keep the likes of Wirtz and Grimaldo beyond this season. It was then left to Bayern Munich to fluff their lines, as they drew 2-2 with Dortmund in an entertaining Klassiker.
All four goals were scored in a frenetic 2nd half, with Max Beier putting the visitors ahead in the 48th minute. Die Roten then appeared to wrestle away control of the match, with Raphael Guerreiro and Serge Gnabry (who scored an absolute beauty) scoring in quick succession to hand the hosts the lead.
But there was one final twist to proceedings, as Waldermar Alton gave the visitors a well-deserved share of the spoils in the 78th minute.
Harry Kane was once again woeful in front of goal as Bayern missed out on the opportunity to extend their lead to eight points (luckily, it looks as if Leverkusen- despite what Alonso says publicly- have given up the proverbial ghost).
Inter take one step closer to Scudetto title
Inter Milan extended their Serie A lead to six points this weekend, soundly beating Caligari 3-1 at home (with Napoli still to play tonight). Sure, a win for Conte’s men will take them to within three points of the Nerazzuri.
But this Inter side is starting to develop an aura. They were magnificent in their midweek European clash, silencing the Allianz Arena with a perfect demonstration of Italian counterattacking football.
Inzaghi could afford to make some changes this week, leaving out Thuram, Bastoni and Mkhitaryan (he even took DiMarco off after an hour). It didn’t seem to alter the trajectory of proceedings, as Inter cruised to a 2-0 nil lead at half-time (with 35-year-old former Stoke City striker Marko Arnautovic scoring once and assisting the other).
Inter were given a brief scare, as Caligari pulled one back through Piccoli in the 48th minute. But the result never really looked in doubt, with Yann Aurel Bisseck eradicating any glimmer of hope by making it 3-1 in the 55th minute.
Inzaghi’s men appear to be getting better as the season winds down, emerging as dark horse treble contenders.
Player of the Week – Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne has struggled in a poor Man City side this year, looking a yard off the pace and occasionally nonplussed. But he pulled back the hands of time this weekend, tapping into prime de Bruyne to spare City some blushes in front of their home supporters.
Palace took a ‘shock’ 2-0 lead in the first half, and it looked destined to be yet another one of those days for City. But de Bruyne changed the direction of the match, scoring a cheeky free-kick and running the game from that moment on (also picking up an assist).
Arguably the greatest midfielder in Premier League history, de Bruyne has probably been the most consistent player throughout the glorious Guardiola reign.
