Weekend Talking Points: Spurs lose to United and Burnley in Europe
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A busy weekend of action brought more twists and turns in both the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Events at Wembley have all but secured Burnley’s place in Europe. While we can now look forward to an Antonio Conte v Jose Mourinho cup final.
Those two stories form part of our five talking points from the weekend’s action…
Another one gets away for Spurs and Pochettino
After nearly four seasons in the Tottenham Hotspur hotseat, Mauricio Pochettino still has precious nothing to show for his work.
The Argentine has done a tremendous job of turning the North Londoners into genuine league contenders and regular Champions League participants.
But questions will remain over his management unless he can deliver that elusive trophy during his time with the Lilywhites.
Saturday’s loss to Manchester United was another missed opportunity. And now rumours will begin to surface over the futures of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and even himself as a result.
Burnley heading into Europe
It’s been a remarkable season for Sean Dyche and Burnley.
The Clarets are sitting pretty in seventh. Yesterday’s draw with Stoke City extended their good run to just one defeat in their last seven games.
However, events in North London gave the Lancashire side the best news of the afternoon.
Southampton’s defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final all-but-ensures Burnley will be playing European football next season for the first time since 1967.
They’re currently nine points ahead of Leicester City in eighth. On current form, the Foxes don’t look as though they’ll be able to turn that around.
Any way back for Stoke?
Sunday’s events in Staffordshire could prove a seminal moment for Burnley. But they also appeared to confirm the inevitable for Stoke.
The Potters are now 11 games without a win. They face a hat-trick of fixtures against Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Swansea City in their last three matches.
Five points from those games is a minimum for Paul Lambert’s side.
But with only one win to show from their last 17 fixtures, the signs are looking ominous for Stoke.
They’re now 1/14 to be relegated to the Championship.
Salah edges De Bruyne for Player of the Year
With the big issues already settled at the top end of the Premier League, there was only one question left to answer.
Would Mohamed Salah or Kevin De Bruyne claim the PFA Player of the Year Award?
Last night at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, it was Liverpool’s Egyptian King who walked away with top honours.
His record of 41 goals in 46 games for the Reds since joining from Roma proved too much against the all-round talents of De Bruyne.
The Belgian has been incredible for Manchester City this season. Yet he couldn’t overhaul Salah, who becomes the seventh Liverpool player to win the award since its inception in 1974.
Mourinho v Conte cup final
After disappointing seasons with their respective clubs, messrs Mourinho and Conte will now go at it hammer and tongs in May’s FA Cup final.
Both managers will feel they have something to prove in the Wembley showpiece. And we can’t wait as a result.
The Red Devils are the early favourites to lift the trophy at 4/5. You can get 10/11 on Chelsea securing a first fourth success of the Roman Abramovich era.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
