In the Premier League weekend where Manchester United and Arsenal failed to gain grounds for a top-four finish in the Premier League, Heung-Min Son scored a splendid hat-trick for Tottenham Hotspurs to get them near to a Champions League return for next season. The win over Aston Villa on Saturday extends their lead on the fourth spot to three points from Arsenal and six ahead of Man United. This is exactly what the duo feared seeing Spurs growing their roots in a three-horse race. Although West Ham and even Wolves are ready to pounce on any slip off from others for their European football ambition.
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Inconsistent Manchester United thought they could keep up the pressure by beating a struggling Everton side. Frank Lampard's team lost to relegation rivals Burnley in their last outing and also carried a dismantled record at home. Instead, a deflected Anthony Gordon goal culminated with a man of the match display from Jordan Pickford and a dull attacking display resulted in the loss for the Red Devils. Ralf Ragnick's disjoined team now have only one win in their last five league games. The task gets tougher from here with fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal to come in quick succession after facing Norwich in the next match. Manchester United also face Chelsea and high flying Crystal Palace to end their season.
A similar faith was laid for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. Once a team looking the most likely to qualify for the top tier contest in Europe has allowed others to breathe on their shoulders following back to back defeats. The latest of them came in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at home. Like United, they produced little in attack and lose points against a side that hasn't won in the last seven games. Arsenal are only three points off the fourth spot but the sudden dip in their otherwise outstanding form is concerning. Kieran Tierney's injury has left the side dysfunctional as they are yet to battle out Chelsea and Manchester United, only five days separating the fixture, after a trip to St Mary's. If that was not all, the Gunners lock horns with Spurs in the pending North London derby two games before the end of the season.
The team to avoid in these circumstances, Antonio Conte's Spurs are a completely changed team since their manager questioned their ambition after a loss to lowly Burnley in February. Defeats to Middlesbrough in FA Cup and Manchester United in the league last month were bad but with Christian Romero back and the wingback system adjusted finally, Spurs are a different prospect now. In their last three games scoring two goals or more, the team felt no problem in out-matching Villa 4-0. Indeed, they face Liverpool and Arsenal next month in the deciding period but unlike others, Tottenham are carrying momentum. Brighton and Brentford are their next opponents while they conclude the campaign facing relegation favorites Burnley and Norwich. With an easier fixture list than the rest, Tottenham seems to be the one tasting Champions League football again.
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