This season has been a particular break through for the boys at Southampton; Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana. All season, they've been consistently improving week by week and are now possibly taking places of already recognized England internationals, like Danny Welbeck, Jermain Defoe, Ashley Young and even Ashley Cole! This past week emphasised just how far they've all come since Lallana and Lambert led Southampton out of League 1. A British Saints core out to prove their worth against a depleting Newcastle, again slipping to mid-table obscurity after a very promising new year run-in.
It was a game which was their for the taking for Southampton who's final score, should've been the half-time score. Countless chances came Rodriguez's way, but Tim Krul was, as he has been many time this year, Newcastle's saviour. But it was Rodriguez, who only has 1 England cap to his name that opened the scoring with Lambert teeing up Rodriguez after a mistake at the back for Newcastle and Rodriguez duly slid the ball into the net, a marker laid down for his England colleges. The second half started as the first ended, a Saints goal. This time the big man Rickie Lambert in on the scoring, after a delicate cross from Lallana, a debatable offside call, it wasn't offside to be clear, Lambert took it down and finished expertly, his 11th of the season, with Rodriguez on 14. Their third top goal scorer is no surprisingly, Lallana, and he put his name on the scoreboard next with a peach of a strike. Picking it up on the right flank, driving infield and picking out the top corner with a strike from about 30 yards. A fabulous season for the Southampton skipper who could be in the frame for Young Player of the Year. His form of late has seen him debated from whether he should be in the squad, whether he should be starting? And then, Newcastle's day worsened, Rodriguez got his second, and his 15th of the season, the second highest English scorer behind Daniel Sturridge. Probably the most unlikely of the quartet to be picked for Rio but his consistent goal scoring must give him a case to be picked ahead of the trusted but inconsistent Danny Welbeck or the experienced Jermain Defoe. A convincing 4-0 win for Pocchetino's men as they look to achieve their highest ever Premier League finish of 8th. Whilst, the attacking flurry of talent, Luke Shaw has been very consistent and composed for an 18 year old at the highest level and competing to put himself in the England squad. As the climate of Brazil has been a 'hot topic', Shaw is full of energy, desire and drive and will thrive on the biggest stage, but is it enough to pip the vastly experienced Ashley Cole?
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez, along with Brendan Rodgers down the road, is making this season a very happy one for Merseyside. While Liverpool lead the table with 7 games to go, knowing if they win them all, they'll win the league, Everton are making a push for a Champions League spot and the expense of Arsenal. Everton took out bottom side Fulham this past Sunday as their quest for Europe looks to take shape as the season enters it's closing stages. Martinez's transfer expertise have been proven with signings of Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu being well selected additions to a good squad. Under Moyes, all Everton were, was good, but under Martinez they seem to enjoy and thrive in the short, fast passing tika-taka play and it's showing. They are 4 points off Arsenal with a game in hand, can they do it?
Best of the Rest
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City- A downbeat Arsenal picked up an important confidence boost as Manchester City capped off a good week with a well earned point. It was all City in the first half as they took the lead with David Silva deflecting home Edin Dzeko's effort as it cannoned off the post. But, Arsenal were showing signs of life and fight in this game, epitomised by Mathieu Flamini. It was Flamini who guided the Gunners back in it with a well guided shot into the far corner. Lukas Podolski and Edin Dzeko had chances to win it but a draw was a fair result!
Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea- A relegation vs title challenger 6 pointer went the way of Palace as Mourinho's side title hopes are, quote, "Over". A poor Chelsea display failed to break down Palace often as Julian Speroni was only called it action clearly once from Eden Hazard. Palace hit Chelsea on the break and Joel Ward's teasing cross found the head of John Terry for the only goal and an own goal for the Chelsea skipper as their title hopes took a big hit.
Liverpool 4-0 Spurs- A game which saw Liverpool move the title picture into their hands as they gave Spurs another heavy beating. Another for Luis Suarez, one for Coutinho and Jordan Henderson while Younes Kaboul put one in his own net, another Spurs capitulation.
The Rest
Manchester United 4-1 Aston Villa
Stoke 1-0 Hull
Sunderland 1-2 West Ham
Swansea 3-0 Norwich
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