What we learnt from this weekend's european action.
It's the time of the season where heroes are made and villains are created. With only five games to go it could not be closer at either end of the Premier League table. Ahead of next week weekend's Super Sunday the top three recorded maximum points and the relegation battle was equally compelling. With that in mind, here are ten things we learnt this weekend.
250 not out – Frank Lampard now has 250 career goals – what an achievement for any player, but for someone who plays his trade in the middle of the park, it is that much better. Whilst we are on praising midfielders, that other number 8, Steven Gerrard, isn’t doing too badly either.
The best can rest – Bayern Munich rested half their team against Ausgburg at the weekend. Yeah, they managed to lose their 53 game unbeaten record, but are they bothered? The bigger picture is more important, Bundesliga clinched and a Champions League QF second leg this week. Feet up lads.
Torressurection? Doubtful - Does he have a future at Chelsea? According to his manager and the player himself he does. According to his displays on the field however, that future looks like being as part of the ground staff. Nando looks better suited to modelling the new kits than he does playing as a number nine - shocking once again against Stoke, the boy actually looks like regressing.
No Ronaldo? No Problem – In a massive La Liga game, Real Madrid simply had to get all three points after Barca and Atletico Madrid managed to do the same, and duly did courtesy of a great goal by Alvaro Morata late on and a very decent finish from defender Pepe. Illarramendi also returned to haunt the Anoeta faithful with the first goal after a poor first half.
Clap in the face – In a more sophisticated attempt at rehashing ‘Lets be having you’, Norwich handed out free canary clappers to their fans this weekend. It did not go to plan, Norwich lost and one angry fan even threw their clapper at their manager Chris Hughton, who was sacked this morning.
Soaring Eagles & wing clipped Bluebirds – We've spent most of our time focusing on the title race, but the relegation battle is getting rather interesting as well. Crystal Palace followed up a sensational win over Chelsea with a hammering of Cardiff and actually look like they might stay up. West Brom also look like they could just grind the results out, whilst Cardiff and Sunderland are in deep trouble.
Gutted for J-Rod – Jay Rodriguez was in tears leaving the field this weekend. Southampton’s England quartet were looking likely for a place on the plane to Brazil, but the length of time it will take the Rodriguez to recover from what looks like months out, will mean he'll likely miss the chance of a lifetime.
Crunch time – The top three just keep racking those results up, but next week will tell us far more than this one did. Manchester City have to travel to Anfield in a game that will have a huge bearing on where the title goes, and Chelsea face a daunting (by their standards this season) trip to the Liberty Stadium.
Kick up the Arsenal – Roberto Martinez’ men are now one point off the top four with a game in hand. Yes, they have a tricky run in, but with displays like the one against Arsenal no one would bet against them bagging a top four spot. Arsenal meanwhile were once again forced to draw straws to see who had to apologise to the fans after a dismal display.
Time for video replays? – If the man in the middle had them for the West Ham v Liverpool game after the Hammers ‘equalised’ the goal wouldn't have stood. Andy Taylor ignored his linesman and made himself look pretty incompetent with his display through-out the game.
What did you take from the weekend's action? Let us know. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
