5 Things We Learned – Chelsea show champion’s grit while Aston Villa’s fate is in the balance

By Rich Laverty.

This week it’s Rich Laverty’s turn to analyse the 5 things we learned from the midweek batch of Premier League fixtures, including a couple of teams who proved they can survive.

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1. Balotelli has a place at Anfield afterall

When Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli entered the fray on Tuesday night with his side drawing 2-2 at home to Tottenham, it was almost written in the stars that he’d grab the winner after such a lengthy period out of the starting eleven.

Balotelli had only previously scored one goal for Liverpool, against Ludogorets, and hadn’t scored a Premier League goal since his time with Manchester City back in 2012. But some good work from Adam Lallana meant even the Italian couldn’t pass up an opportunity to poke the ball past Hugo Lloris from all of five yards.

Whilst it’s a start, the movement the striker showed to get in position should give him confidence. If he stops dropping deep, getting frustrated and actually plays like a striker, he’s got a future at Anfield.

2. QPR and Leicester have enough to stay up

QPR had been threatening to grab some points away from home even before Harry Redknapp’s departure last week. The Rs were unlucky away at Stoke and have consistently showed good home form.

With Sunderland not particularly a team anybody fears, QPR walked away from the Stadium of Light with an easy three points. With the right system suiting the right players, QPR have more than enough to survive the drop given there are so many teams not performing optimally in the league right now.

Leicester arguably could have come away from the Emirates with a win on Tuesday, the Gunners were not at their best but the foxes had at least five or six good chances. With better finishing, both they and QPR can make a real go at survival against all the odds.

3. Villa on the other hand probably do not

Aston Villa are getting to the ‘now or never’ point where Paul Lambert is concerned. A more positive performance against Chelsea at the weekend, plus a goal, would have given the team some hope but they bounced back down to earth with a bang against Hull City.

During their last game at the KC, they sunk 3-0 to Newcastle in what was a horrific display for a struggling team. So the way they breezed past Villa will have sent alarm bells ringing once again in the Midlands. Villa just can’t score and they can’t defend. The players need some motivation and only a new manager can bring that. With Paul Lambert out of the door, the board’s next decision will decide their future.

4. Chelsea now have the champions mentality

Last season, as a neutral it could have been frustrating watching Jose Mourinho’s men stutter their way towards a title challenge. Impressive wins and clean sheets at rivals such as Manchester City and Liverpool were Mourinho’s bread and butter, but for once, they lacked a killer instinct.

Last season draws at home to West Ham and Norwich in particular ruined any hope Chelsea had of finishing ahead of their rivals. The display against Everton however showed they have come up a notch or two. On a frustrating evening where they were thwarted time and time again by the returning Tim Howard, it was Willian who popped up at the death. A crucial result given Manchester City sprung back into life against Stoke.

5. Falcao or van Persie, one or the other

Three years ago, Manchester United fans would have laughed off the possibility of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao playing together in any team, let alone the red shirt. The partnership promised so much in early games as the Colombian set up his Dutch strike partner for goals in their first two starts together.

Since then, their lack of movement, pace and willingness to be the sole man up front has harmed United. Against Burnley, it was more of the same. With Angel Di Maria back on form, the strikers stood forlorn, not knowing where to go or what to do. The introduction of James Wilson added pace up front and stretched the visitors late on.

Despite the fact individually both are better than the young Wilson, for the sake of the team, one has to go. With the futures of both men in doubt, it seems only one will get a chance to fight for their Old Trafford future

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