Five things we learned in the Premier League this weekend
Chelsea remain five points clear at the top of the table having drawn with reigning champions and closest challengers Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Unusually for the Blues – especially at home – they appeared happy to sit deep and soak up City’s attacks and, despite Loic Remy giving them the lead before David Silva’s equaliser – Mourinho saw his side have just two shots on target, forcing just one corner and being edged in the possession statistics as well.
It would have been interesting to hear Mourinho’s take on events and whether the point was deemed satisfactory but the Portuguese continues his vow of silence and his refusal to address the media.
England face a tricky friendly tie with Italy next month and Roy Hodgson will be expected to name Harry Kane in his squad for the first time as the Tottenham striker once again got amongst the goals.
The 21-year-old now has 20 goals in all competitions this season having taken his Premier League tally into double figures with a brace in the 3-0 win at West Brom.
Kane has starred for England’s Under-21s over the past year or so and is surely fully-deserving of a chance to make his mark at senior level.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed he suffers from a “twitchy ass” when he sends his side out in a 4-4-2 formation.
Although his fluidity in midfield and attack means the Red Devils are never truly lining up in such a way, playing four defenders appears to be the immediate future for United as van Gaal casts aside his desire to play three central defenders as he did with Holland at the World Cup last summer.
Although they let in a late consolation in the 3-1 win over Leicester – Marcos Rojo is growing into the Premier League and, with a fully-fit Phil Jones alongside him, van Gaal will be hoping to keep a settled defensive partnership for the first time in his Old Trafford reign.
The bottom six teams all slipped to defeat over the course of the weekend as the majority of results in the top flight went with the form.
Leicester’s defeat at Man United leaves them two points adrift at the foot of the table but above them there are only four points separating Crystal Palace in 13th and QPR down in 19th.
The Rs lost at Stoke as their losing streak on the road was extended to 11 whilst Hull cannot buy a win and both West Brom and Palace both saw their undefeated runs under new managers Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew come to an end.
There are likely to be many twists and turns between now and May and it would take a brave fan to predict which three sides will slip into the Championship at this stage.
A hamstring injury meant Alexis Sanchez would not be risked for Arsenal’s home game with Aston Villa on Sunday.
The form of the Chilean forward this season, with 18 goals already to his name, means any absence would have Arsenal fans worried that they would sorely miss the former Barcelona man.
But Arsene Wenger’s other big names stepped up to the mark to prove they can deal with such a blow as club-record signing Mesut Ozil and fit again Theo Walcott starred alongside in-form Santi Cazorla as the Gunners stormed to a 5-0 win over hapless Villa.
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