That's a fantastic finish from Rashford, I initially thought he might just be a flash in the pan and had one of those dream moments with goals in Europa and Arsenal but with finishing like that, he may just be a star in the making. Early doors of course but they have to start somewhere and he's started superbly.
Recent results, especially City's near total-collapse, have helped our cause quite a bit in the sense that the door to 4th spot is now wide open. I've said it before - a 5 point cushion this late in the season means that in all likelihood we'll have to win all of our remaining games - maybe one draw or one defeat can be factored in - if we are to stand a chance of reeling them in. The next 5 games are crucial in my opinion, and will be exceptionally tricky for both sides. Leicester face 3 top 4 hopefuls (Soton, West Ham and United), one relegation scrap (Sunderland) and one meaningless fixture (Swansea). In a similar vein, we face 2 top 4 hopefuls (United, Stoke), 2 teams who hate us and raise their game just for us (Liverpool and Chelsea) and one meaningless fixture albeit against something of a bogey side (West Brom). If we aren't ahead of them - at least on GD - by then, I can't see it happening, as our last 2 fixtures look much harder than theirs.
Chelsea are **** and have no pride I suppose. My warped thinking is this : If we can beat them...they might just want to prove to everyone that, indeed they are still worthy of being a top team by at least putting on a show against the other top team in the League in lesta. I'm also hoping they are in the hunt for Europe come the last day. However I'm not sure if this would motivate them or de motivate them.
Chelsea away on the last day is no gimme. Likely to be JT's last hurrah. As much as the fans may want to lose it, that works in our favour. Add in the possible jitters and anything is possible. We just have to win,win and keep winning. If we do that we can have no recriminations and whether we win it or not, we are set fair for next season and for the summer battle for talent. No draws. It's all-in time.
"If we aren't ahead of them - at least on GD - by then, I can't see it happening, as our last 2 fixtures look much harder than theirs." As I said (elsewhere) , if we can get level on pts with them by the last game of the season, then good. If it happens sooner, then the pressure is on Leicester because they are unlikely to overhaul the GD (so they need at least 1 pt more) . Only 4 seasons ago that Citeh won the PL on GD.
It's your away fixtures which must be worrying - nobody would choose Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea and then Newcastle on the last day when they will probably need a win to survive. Games aren't played on paper, I know, but those all look potential banana skins for one reason or another. You should win your three home games, although it might depend on which Utd turns up on 10th April.
Newcastle need to be relegated from the Premier League to "start from scratch" and build a better team for the future, former Magpies winger David Ginola says. ...does that count as a seven year itch or something?
Newcastle's Aleksandar Mitrovic on the title race: "Honestly, I'm for Tottenham to win the title." "I like the principle of pushing their young players, and the coach Pochettino is excellent." "We just played against Leicester and were almost better than them." Looking for a move this summer? We were linked with him before he joined the Geordies.
He'll be shoved out wide because he's good enough to play both positions. A bit like how Scholes used to play on the left because Lampard and Gerrard were awful out wide, despite Scholes being the best of the three.
I'm not convinced on him either way, to be honest. It's hard to assess Newcastle's players, when they pick such ludicrous lineups half the time. Every time that I've seen them go with two up front, they look far more effective. They've got about five decent strikers. They seem to prefer to go with a wonky midfield and a ****e defence, instead.
Another one that's hard to assess from his time at Newcastle. Shown some flashes of brilliance, but largely out of position and ineffective. Maybe one to keep an eye on if they go down?
