Juan Mata scored the only goal tonight in a very dull match against mid-table Watford that propelled Manchester United to victory. The Red Devils are all of a sudden surging, resuscitating their very much once nearly extinguished Champions League hopes.
The 1-0 result over the Hornets was eerily reminiscent of all the goalless draws we’ve seen this season, but it (coupled with Man City’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool) drew Man United into a tie (temporarily) for fourth place with their noisy neighbors Manchester City.
Here’s how ESPN FC’s Soccer Power Index sizes up the league title race as such:
Points SPI Title % Entering Week %
Leicester City 57 46% 41%
Tottenham 54 33% 30%
Arsenal 51 11% 18%
Man City 47 9% 11%
Man United 47 1% 0.2%
The Citizens still have a game in hand, and +6 on Man United in goal differential. So there’s still a ton or work for Louis van Gaal and company to accomplish. However, considering where United were, as recently as couple weeks ago, to where they are now, it’s astounding.
Man United were very much left for dead in the race to the top four, but they’re in the thick of it now. Of course, it’s really hard to foresee who ahead of them is going to drop. It’s going to have to be Arsenal or City. I don’t see Tottenham or Leicester falling.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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