Tyne-Wear derby heading for the championship
Despite a plethora of resources at the club and a net spend of more than £70 million this season, Newcastle have never looked anything else but destined for the drop.
Today added another yet another nail in to their coffin as they filled to build upon their somewhat spirited derby comeback against Sunderland before the international break.
Although twice they managed to equalise in the latter stages of the game through derby hero Aleksandar Mitrovic, neither time could they hold on for more than five minutes as Norwich secured the crucial three points to take them four points clear of the relegation zone with just seven games to go.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">130 – There were just 130 seconds between Aleksandar Mitrovic’s equaliser and Dieumerci Mbokani’s goal. Response.</p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/716288379625873409">April 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The loss extends the Magpies winless run to six, with their last victory coming back against West Brom on the 6th of February, while they have only have one point to show for their efforts in the other five games.
It's difficult to see how Rafael Benitez will stop the rot and turn the sinking ship around to lead them to safer shores.
Elsewhere, Sunderland looked rudderless once again today, playing out a stalemate with West Brom at the Stadium of Light.
Its a fourth draw in a row for the Black Cats as they still hope for an upturn in fortunes, but similar to their closest rivals, they haven't tasted victory since February since shocking Man Utd on the 13th of the month.
On current form, its not difficult to fathom that the North-East's two biggest clubs will be plying their trade at a lower level next season.
Spurs title hopes dented once more
Spurs' hopes of claiming a first Premier League crown received another blow following a 1-1 draw under lights at Anfield.
Harry Kane once again stood up to the occasion as he continues his ascendency to being England's top striker with the equalising goal following Phillipe Coutinho's opener.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Harry Kane now has 22 league goals this season, the most by a Spurs player since Gary Lineker (28) in 1991/92. <a href="https://t.co/rOrTg8uMIH">pic.twitter.com/rOrTg8uMIH</a></p>— Squawka Football (@Squawka) <a href="https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/716322933325565954">April 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Although both had opportunities to win the game, neither side fired on all cylinders, which ought to worry Mauricio Pochettino more considering his side's title ambitions.
A further worry for the Argentine will be Spurs form in their most recent outings, winning only two of their previous five games following a six game winning streak.
Leicester currently hold a four point advantage over the North Londoners, while they entertain Southampton tomorrow, meaning the title race could be over before we know it with just six games and 18 points left on the table for Spurs.
Payet giving Mahrez a run for his money
Leicester's Riyad Mahrez has rightly being claiming the plaudits this season for a series of sensational performances for the Foxes, making him many people's favourite for Player of the Season.
However, Dimitri Payet has been crucial to West Ham's ascent into the European places and has put his hand up for further recognition with another stellar display today.
Following on from a stunning free-kick for France while away on international duty,Payet curled another spectacular effort around a seven man wall and into the top corner to put West Ham in a commanding position against Palace today.
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Payet 🔥🔥🔥<br>Wonderful goal <a href="https://t.co/nSP92YGCcI">pic.twitter.com/nSP92YGCcI</a></p>— Gui Pellan (@guillaumepellan) <a href="https://twitter.com/guillaumepellan/status/716280360066277378">April 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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With the season drawing to a close, there is little doubt as to who the two standout players of the season have been.
Palace's winless streak lengthens
Following a controversial sending off for West Ham, Crystal Palace fought their way back into the game to earn a respectable draw away to the Hammers.
What will be of concern to Alan Pardew is their alarming slide deep into the bottom half of the table, having failed to secure three points since December.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">20 - Dwight Gayle has ended a run of 20 Premier League games without a goal, scoring for the first time since January 2015. Relief.</p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/716290284485783552">April 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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To put it into perspective, Palace were in West Ham's shoes of being in with an outside shot of finishing in the top four, but now they are fighting for their Premier League status following a run of 14 games without a win.
In those 14 games, they have only managed to collect five points as their lack of firepower in front of goal is proving costly and dragging them into a relegation battle.
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