Newcastle show fighting spirit
Newcastle have arrested their alarming slide into oblivion in recent weeks, putting together a string of results that will prove crucial if they are remain a Premier League side next year.
After failing to build on a morale boosting draw with Sunderland in late March, Newcastle looked destined for the drop following defeats to Norwich and Southampton and with games against Manchester City and Liverpool to come, a 3-0 victory over Swansea looked meaningless.
One week on though, and there is a different perspective at Newcastle, with their spirited mid-week draw against Man City and today's excellent comeback keeping their hopes of survival alive, as they now sit one point adrift of safety.
Newcastle have now scored 2+ goals in just 2 of their last 13 Premier League matches.
Rafa's right back in it. pic.twitter.com/Nn6lOOgykK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 23, 2016
In this form and with games against the rudderless Crystal Palace and Aston Villa to come, the Magpies must fancy their chances of getting out of the bottom three come the 15th of May.
The big negating factor however is that relegation rivals Norwich City and Sunderland both have games in hand, with the Canaries playing two less to date.
Anthony Martial worth every penny
Its no secret that Manchester United forked out a pretty penny last summer to bring in a virtually unknown teenage striker, but since joining the club, Anthony Martial has more than justified that £36 million price tag.
14 goals in 48 games isn't the most clinical of returns but it is worth remembering that the French international only exited his teens just before the New Year, but he is proving to be a big game player for United.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clinical from Tony Martial... Calm.. composed when the pressure is on! Big future ahead.. Credit to <a href="https://twitter.com/D_DeGea">@D_DeGea</a> once again! <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd">@ManUtd</a></p>— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) <a href="https://twitter.com/vancole9/status/723945618239045632">April 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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In a turbulent season, David DeGea, Marcus Rashford and Martial have shown their star quality but its the Frenchman who will dominate the headlines tomorrow for his heroics today, scoring the winner and assisting brilliantly for Fellaini's opener.
Martial has again proved that he is a big game player for the Old Trafford outfit, with this evening's performance the latest in a string of impressive performances in high profile games.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ANTHONY MARTIAL waste of space no chance he worth the money <a href="https://t.co/nwNsdLE2kA">pic.twitter.com/nwNsdLE2kA</a></p>— Miranda (@miranda7drew) <a href="https://twitter.com/miranda7drew/status/723953744266825730">April 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Louis Van Gaal and Ed Woodward were panned for making Martial British football's most expensive teenager, but their investment in 'potential' is already paying dividends as they mark down another date with Wembley.
Race for Premier League
Speaking of next season's Premier League, the race at the top of the Championship will go right down to the wire following today's set of results.
Burnley (1st) , Middlesborough (2nd), and Brighton & Hove Albion (3rd) occupy the top three spots on the table but are level on 87 points each and separated by just three goals on score difference with only two games remaining, at this point it is anybody's call.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">TABLE: <a href="https://twitter.com/MKDonsFC">@MKDonsFC</a> are the third and final team relegated. Not quite as clear-cut at the top of the division... <a href="https://t.co/g9TKxH8amP">pic.twitter.com/g9TKxH8amP</a></p>— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyBetChamp/status/723909698387357696">April 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Burnley have put themselves in prime position after their one-nil defeat of Preston last night coupled with Boro's stalemate with Ipswich sees the previous leaders drop to second.
Early pace setters Brighton and Hove have kept their own promotion push alive, sitting in third after a 3-1 victory away to Charlton today.
Despite the excellent form of all three, there is only places for two of them for automatic promotion into the top tier next season and the thrills and excitement that the fans have experienced thus far will only continue coming into the final furlong, especially with Boro and Brighton set to meet on the final day.
Watch this space.
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