Who is to blame for Man United slip-up?
MANCHESTER CITY ARE ONLY TOP TEAM TO WIN AT WEEKEND
Aday after Pep Guardiola admitted City “were not going to paint anything beautiful” but still found a way to win against a well-organised West Ham, Manchester United’s dismal record against the traditional heavyweights of Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal continued.
City, the English Premier League leaders, were the only side in the top five to win this weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have not won in seven league meetings and have scored only once, from the penalty spot in a 6-1 thrashing by Spurs early in the season.
Solskjaer was furious at the denial of a spot-kick at Stamford Bridge, but also has to reflect on whether his conservative nature against stronger opposition cost United the chance to challenge City for the title.
Bale finally back
Under fire after five defeats in six league games, Jose Mourinho brought Gareth Bale in from the cold to save his season and the Welshman delivered with a double in a much-needed 4-0 win against Burnley on Sunday.
Bale’s return to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid had been written off as a flop after he suffered with fitness issues and poor form for the first half of the campaign.
The 31-year-old was criticised by Mourinho after a spat over his fitness when he withdrew from the squad for an FA Cup defeat at Everton.
But Bale showed signs of a revival with a goal in each leg of Tottenham’s Europa League last 32 rout of Wolfsberger, earning just his third league start of the season against the Clarets.
The four-time Champions League winner seized his chance with two predatory finishes and an assist for Harry Kane to ease the pressure on
Mourinho. “There is not one single manager in the world that doesn’t play Gareth Bale if Gareth Bale is in very good condition,” said Mourinho.
“Now he is better than ever. He played very well and his condition is very good. He helped the team to win and that’s the most important thing.”
West Brom’s 1-0 win over
Brighton kept the Baggies in the fight to beat the drop, but Sam Allardyce’s men needed more wayward finishing by the Seagulls from the penalty spot and a moment of madness from referee Lee Mason to claim all three points.
There is not one single manager in the world that doesn’t play Gareth Bale if Gareth Bale is in very good condition. Now he is better than ever.” Jose Mourinho » Tottenham boss
Horrendous decision
“It’s embarrassing, it’s just a horrendous decision,” said Dunk. “I said to the ref ‘can I take it’, he blew his whistle and I took it. I don’t think he knew what he was doing.”
Mason could argue the same be said of Brighton in front of goal. Danny Welbeck hit the post with a second penalty in the second-half as for the umpteenth time this season their domination of the play counted for little.