On the up: Roman Pavlyuchenko is mobbed by his
team-mates
A late double from Roman Pavlyuchenko sealed Tottenham’s
move into fourth spot on Sunday – the third time in one day the
position changed hands.
It has become a four-way tussle between
Spurs,
Manchester City,
Liverpool and
Aston Villa to land the Holy Grail of Champions League
football.
And with just one point separating fourth from seventh, the
chase is sure to go right to the wire.
Sportsmail takes
assesses the contenders battling it out for the final spot in
Europe’s premier knockout competition.
Spurs’ form has faltered since the turn of the year. During
their last six games, two have ended in victory, two in defeat and
two in draws. Tottenham’s problems have stemmed from losing games
they really should win: Wolves, Stoke and Hull have left White Hart
Lane with a combined total of seven points, the difference between
fighting for the title and fighting for fourth.
Stalemate: Lucas battles with Gareth Barry
The dark clouds are gathering for Mancini – his side are on a
run of three draws and they have lost three of 14 games since the
Italian took over.
Mancini has also acknowledged that he argued with Craig Bellamy
over training and a number of players are reportedly unhappy with
the new regime’s long practice sessions. However, the major
deciding factor could be the game in hand they have over the
rest.
Rafa’s side has hit a decent vein of form, which has coincided
with the absence of their ‘talisman’ Fernando Torres.
A steely determination has replaced the wafer-thin confidence.
The Merseysiders may not look pretty at the moment but they have
rolled up their sleeves and are grinding out results – winning
three of the last six and losing just one.
No defeats in the last six, sticking five past Burnley and a cup
final to look forward to - thing are looking good for Martin
O’Neill’s side. This is a huge week for Villa, the FA Cup replay on
Wednesday against Crystal Palace and Carling Cup final with
Manchester United will dictate the level of success they enjoy this
season.
There is a direct correlation between Tottenham’s dip in form in
the second half of the season and the absence of their pacy winger
Aaron Lennon. The England international, 22, injured his groin
during the victory over West Ham in December and his side have won
just two league games since.
Lennon is due back within the next two weeks, and will be joined
by Jermaine Jenas, Benoit Assou-Ekotto Lennon in returning to the
side but Carlo Cudicini and Johnathan Woodgate remain out for the
foreseeable.
Mancini’s major headache isn’t an injury, but the absence of
Carlos Tevez due to the premature birth of the Argentine’s
daughter. Tevez has returned home to South America and won’t return
until his newborn until the doctor has given the all-clear. The
only other pressing issue is that of Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov
who could be out for a further four weeks with a knee injury.
Back: Fernando Torres (left) made his return against
Manchester City
Great news for Rafa on Sunday – Fernando Torres, the club’s top
scorer finally returned a month after his knee operation. And Yossi
Benayoun also recovered from a broken rib which had sidelined him
since the middle of January. The only remaining issue for
Benitez is that of Glen Johnson who has another couple of weeks to
go before he can be considered for first-team action.
Martin O’Neill isn’t blessed with the biggest squad in the
league but his players are holding up well even as the games come
thick and fast. Aside from a few niggles, the only major absentee
is Nigel Reo-Coker, who has featured in just 13 games so far this
season.
Certainly the toughest run-in of the four battling it out for
the Champions League spot. In April, Spurs have a run of three
games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United and they also have
tricky away clashes away at Man City, Stoke and Burnley. If
Tottenham make it, they’re going to have to do it the hard way.
Mancini may consider his side’s game in hand a trump card but
when he looks down the fixture list he will see away games coming
up at Chelsea and Arsenal. City haven’t won at Stamford Bridge in
the league since January 1993 or at Highbury or the Emirates since
October 1975.
Rafa will regard his final fixtures with a little confidence. He
has tricky clashes against Man United and Chelsea to come, but his
side performed a demolition job on their last visit to old Trafford
and haven’t lost in the last three at home to
Chelsea.
The Villans have by far the easiest run-in of the four sides.
Just one game against a ‘big four’ side - Chelsea away – and a
number of home ties they must consider a certain three points:
Sunderland, Wolves and Blackburn.
Tottenham
Feb 28: Everton (H)
Mar 6: Man City (A)
Mar 13: Blackburn (H)
Mar 20: Stoke (A)
Mar 27: Portsmouth (H)
Apr 3: Sunderland (A)
Apr 10: Arsenal (H)
Apr 17: Chelsea (H)
Apr 25: Man United (A)
May 1: Bolton (H)
May 9: Burnley (A)
Liverpool
Feb 28: Blackburn (H)
Mar 8: Wigan (A)
Mar 15: Portsmouth (H)
Mar 21: Man United (A)
Mar 28: Sunderland (H)
Apr 3: Birmingham (A)
Apr 11: Fulham (H)
Apr 19: West Ham (H)
Apr 24: Burnley (A)
May 1: Chelsea (H)
May 9: Hull (A)
Manchester City
Feb 27: Chelsea (A)
Mar 6: Tottenham (H)
Mar 14: Sunderland (A)
Mar 20: Fulham (A)
Mar 29: Wigan (H)
Apr 3: Burnley (A)
Apr 11: Birmingham (H)
Apr 17: Man United (H)
Apr 24: Arsenal (A)
May 1: Aston Villa (H)
May 9: West Ham (A)
TBC: Everton (H)
Aston
Villa
Mar 6: Sunderland (H)
Mar 13: Stoke (A)
Mar 16: Wigan (A)
Mar 20: Wolves (H)
Mar 27: Chelsea (A)
Apr 3: Bolton (A)
Apr 10: Everton (H)
Apr 18: Portsmouth (A)
Apr 25: Birmingham (H)
May 1: Man City (A)
May 9: Blackburn (H)
Given Tottenham's recent shaky form, you can't help but think
the perennial underachievers will remain just that. Few of the
players have experience of qualifying for the Champions League and
a difficult run-in means Spurs will just miss out. Still, as
Tottenham fans will tell you - there's always next year.
FINAL POSITION: 7th
Can Roberto Mancini galavanise his disparate band of talented
egos into one final push for the Champions League? The only thing
consistent about City this has been their inconsistency and their
penchant for pressing the self-destuct button means they will have
to make do with the Europa League. FINAL POSITION: 6th
Given how the season started, its remarkable that Liverpool are
still in the running at all. But if there's one thing for certain,
no one fears Rafa's side. Fernando Torres' return will inspire form
but not enough to steal fourth. The ramifications for the club and,
in particular, Benitez could be dire when they only make it into
the Europa League. FINAL POSITION:
5th
Martin O'Neill's side have that crucial ingredient - momentum.
Last season his team was ubnbalanced, heavy in attacking threat but
flimsy at the back - that's no longer the case. With Richard Dunne
and James Collins shoring up their once leaky defence, the Vilans
now have the backbone to win a trophy this season ... and seal that
Champions League spot. FINAL
POSITION: 4th
