Arsenal
Liverpool Rise To The Top While Manchester United Stay At The Bottom Of The Corresponding Fixtures Table After Game Week 30
As Liverpool toyed with a 10-man Manchester United side-who looked more like a disparate bunch of players waiting to be put out of their misery than champions- you would have forgiven Manchester United fans if they turned on their team- and their manager. Such was the scale of ineptitude of their performance. That such a poor performance came against their arch-enemies Liverpool would have hurt more. But, quite remarkably, United fans began singing lustily even as the wreckage of a wretched season was being laid out before them. One would have expected the crowd to turn mutinous; they didn’t.
But this seemed a bit different. It seemed they were singing more for the club they love than for the manager in charge. United fans have been incredibly supportive of David Moyes despite clear signs of the former Everton manager being clearly out of his depth in the Old Trafford hot seat. He was The Chosen One- chosen by Sir Alex himself. The citadel that was-Old Trafford- now resembles a crumbling edifice. But as Moyes and his support staff presided over another abject performance at Old Trafford, one couldn’t help but wonder if the United fans grudgingly approved of what Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has done over the past 12 months.
Watching United play one cannot help but wonder what David Moyes’ footballing philosophy is. It may be argued that Ferguson’s United did not have a distinct footballing philosophy. Yet, they always found a way to win; always committed to an attacking style of football. The contrast could not have been starker. Rodgers’ Liverpool have an identity, a philosophy they adhere to; Moyes, one gets the feeling, does not have a philosophy or- if it exists- is struggling to impose it on this group of players. This contrast in fortunes of the two great rivals is illustrated in our “Corresponding Fixtures Table” below.
Quite symbolically, Liverpool and Manchester United are at the opposite ends of our Corresponding Fixtures table. Liverpool’s improvement this season, as we have seen in this series of columns over the last few weeks, has been massive; United’s decline has been equally calamitous. While Liverpool have amassed 23 points more from this season’s corresponding fixtures, United are deep in red – and at the bottom of our table- with a Corresponding Points Difference of -21. By any standards, it is a shocking number of points to drop.
Staying with Old Trafford, it is quite amusing to see United struggle on their own turf. Even after the win at the Hawthorns a couple of weeks ago, Moyes pointed out while their away form was OK they needed to improve on their home form. Moyes was right; United’s home form has been very poor this season. The Corresponding Home Fixtures Table shows us how difficult it has been for United this season.
United are at the bottom of this table too, having taken 15 points less from the corresponding fixtures this season compared to last season. This in a season which has seen all the top sides improve on their home record. As we can see from the table, Liverpool have a points difference of +13, Chelsea +12, Manchester City +9 and Arsenal +4. Everton too have a difference of +2.
Delve deeper and the decline of results at Old Trafford is laid bare. Manchester United have the 9th best record at home -21 points from 14 games-with the same number of points as Norwich and Newcastle and one less than Crystal Palace who are fighting relegation. With 18 goals from 14 games United only have the 10th best scoring record at home. Even Swansea, Southampton, Stoke City and West Ham United have scored more than the Red Devils. Newcastle and struggling Fulham have scored the same number of goals. Those numbers are quite damning.
While they are the 3rd best away side in the league- with 27 points from 15 games- the corresponding Away fixtures table shows that they have taken 6 points less this season from the corresponding fixtures. The table is shown below
All said and done, patience is wearing thin at Old Trafford. The Champions League offers a window of redemption but given their current form and their abject display at Olympiakos, only a brave man would bet in favour of them overturning a 2-0 deficit. If they go out of the Champions League too, will the crowd still refrain from baying for Moyes’ blood? It remains to be seen.
Stats are compiled by Chaitanya Gööner with the help from footballwebpages.co.uk
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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