Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Tottenham has earned under-pressure Solskjaer a reprieve, while Chelsea rubber-stamped their title credentials, writes Ryan Baldi…
“Solskjaer deserves great credit for the way he adjusted his side in order to trounce Tottenham. He combated United’s defensive frailty by playing three centre-backs. The returning Raphael Varane was outstanding at the heart of the defensive trio and the result was a first clean sheet since August.”
As has so often been the case during his near-three years in charge, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer most needed a win, his Manchester United side delivered one – in emphatic style.
After last Sunday’s 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, rumours swirled all week, speculating not if Solskjaer would be relieved of his position but when, and who would replace him.
In the end, the Norwegian was granted a stay of execution, allowed to oversee an unenviable upcoming run of fixtures in hope of clinging to his job. That began with a tricky trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, and the evening ended with United 3-0 winners.
The aftermath of the embarrassing Liverpool loss left Solskjaer the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post, available to back on the Betfair Exchange at just 1.68/13. After masterminding the smashing of Spurs, the United boss can be backed at 3.7511/4 to be the next manager sacked. His opposite number, the equally under-fire Nuno Espirito Santo, is available to back at 1.434/9.
The theme of the criticism Solskjaer has faced throughout his time in charge at Old Trafford has centred on a perceived lack of tactical nous, and his implementation of a bizarre, haphazard pressing strategy against Liverpool last week rightly saw him pilloried.
But Solskjaer deserves great credit for the way he adjusted his side in order to trounce Tottenham. He combated United’s defensive frailty by playing three centre-backs. The returning Raphael Varane was outstanding at the heart of the defensive trio and the result was a first clean sheet since August.
And up front, Solskjaer paired Cristiano Ronaldo with Edinson Cavani. Both veteran strikers scored, while Bruno Fernandes, allowed to scheme freely in the No.10 position, provided one assist and created three chances.
United remain a distant fourth favourite in the title race, but their hopes of a top-four finish look brighter than a week ago. They can be backed at 1.654/6 on the Exchange in the Top 4 Finish market.
Breakaway Blues
At the top of the table, the weekend could hardly have gone any better for league leaders Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel’s side followed up last week’s 7-0 demolition of rock-bottom Norwich with a 3-0 victory over Newcastle, with England international wing-back Reece James twice a scorer.
That victory alone will have pleased the Blues enough, but they were further buoyed by the fact their main title rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, both dropped points.
The Reds let a two-goal lead slip at Anfield against Brighton, pegged back to a 2-2 draw. At the Etihad, City were shockingly beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace, where a red card for Aymeric Laporte compounded Pep Guardiola’s woes.
Despite that defeat, reigning champions City remain title favourites to retain their crown come May, available to back at 2.47/5 in the Exchange’s Premier League Winner market, while Liverpool can be backed at 4.03/1.
With results falling in their favour this weekend, though, Chelsea have now opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table. The Stamford Bridge side can be backed at 3.211/5 on the Exchange.
Tussle for top six
As intriguing as the title race is shaping up to be this term, the battle for Europe and a place among the Premier League‘s top six might be even more hotly contested, with several clubs in the running finding form of late.
High-flying Brighton impressed early in season, and their point at Anfield means they are seventh at present, available to back at an enticing 5.79/2 in the Betfair Exchange Top 6 Finish market.
West Ham‘s fine form has made them one of the surprise packages of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign, and their 4-1 away win over Aston Villa on Sunday means they sit comfortably within the top four at present, level on points with Manchester City. David Moyes’ men are available to back at 2.111/10 on the Exchange for a top-six finish.
In perhaps the season’s greatest turnaround so far, Arsenal currently occupy sixth place. The Gunners opened the campaign with three defeats in a row and Mikel Arteta was thought to be a likely early managerial casualty.
But Arsenal haven’t lost since, and their 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off represented arguably their best performance of the season. They can be backed at 2.111/10 on the Exchange to reassume their place among the Premier League’s elite with a top-six finish this term.
Source: Betfair Premier League
