WHY IT’S MADNESS TO RULE SPURS OUT OF TITLE RACE
THERE is a trait about modern football that I don’t particularly like — the need to make instant and definitive predictions. I say I don’t like it, but I also have to admit it’s something of which I have been guilty. The title race is the subject that is prompting everyone to put their necks on the line and the past fortnight has been especially revealing for rash judgments. Manchester City lost at Newcastle and the title was Liverpool’s to lose. Then Liverpool drew at home to Leicester, City beat Arsenal and West Ham took points off Liverpool. Now we are in the position, following City’s win at Goodison Park, when everyone is saying it is over to Pep Guardiola’s side again. It’s madness, given there is so much football to play. It is also madness to rule out Tottenham, who are right in there as well. I know bookmakers have them as third favourites but, for the points they have racked up, you simply cannot take them out of the discussion. There was a point in the season when I thought Manchester City would go unbeaten and said so here at the start of November — the only match then I thought would give them trouble was Liverpool at home — but that prediction was wrong. They have the advantage now, but it’s mad if anyone believes this has been a defining week for Liverpool. I still spend a lot of time in that city and know how strong the desire and expectation is and what it would mean if they were to eventually win it. Yes, there has been a twist in the story — but there are going to be many more before the middle Sunday in May. The Premier League is the best league in the world because anyone can beat anyone and you have to keep this in mind. It’s why I’m coaching myself not to make any kneejerk calls.