The race for European qualification within the Premier League intensified over the weekend, as a string of key outcomes reshuffled the standings and set the stage for a dramatic run-in.
Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis had been each held to irritating 0-0 attracts, dropping useful factors at a pivotal stage of the marketing campaign. Chelsea’s stalemate at Brentford prolonged its winless away run to eight matches, a troubling stretch that continues to threaten the membership’s top-four ambitions. The Blues stay in fourth place on 53 factors, however the chasing pack is closing in.
Metropolis, in the meantime, had been held at Outdated Trafford by a resolute Manchester United, additionally failing to seek out the online in a cagey affair. Metropolis now sits fifth, one level behind Chelsea, and are in peril of dropping momentum heading into the enterprise finish of the season.
Aston Villa and Fulham capitalized on these stumbles. Unai Emery’s aspect edged previous Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Villa Park, reaffirming its European credentials and transferring inside two factors of the highest 4. Fulham delivered the shock of the weekend, defeating league leaders Liverpool 3-2 at Craven Cottage — the Reds’ first loss in 27 matches.