Onward and Upward

Getting a bit boring, innit? No late concession of an equalizer to complain about. No injuries to expose the somewhat worrisome lack of depth Connor Wickham and Daniel Levy conspired to create—Wonderboy was “unwell” at the half—one suspects that whatever ailment was plaguing Alli, it will be long gone by kickoff v. Watford this weekend. No bad refereeing decision—if anything we were the lucky ones that avoided a Canary trip to the spot. No wildly lucky goalkeeping preventing the cushion.

No, none of that. And we even jumped by the Gooners for third position with a huge goal differential advantage. In fact, our lads now have the best difference in the league as well as the fewest goals conceded—there’s a shout at Spurs conceding only 30 goals (or the fewer) for the season—championship pedigree—and be honest now, did you ever anticipate such a claim for this season? In your wildest dreams?

So if Leicester kept winning, that’s all right. Listen, it’s out of our control now. They’re either the greatest story in English football in the last 25 years, or they’re not. We should be occupied by the mere mortals from Manchester and London—United seems to have all of a sudden found their identity under LVG—the game in April at the Lane could be crucial. Arsenal are experiencing that winter flailing that has always cost them a serious chance at the title this past decade—another great game at the Lane. The Hammers are lurking just on the edge of contention—and with a serious chance for Europe. And City—with Toure headed out and Pep headed in? They were somewhat fortunate to be on the good end of a typical 1-0 score vs Sunderland—the game at the Etihad later this month could be season-defining for both X1s. Spurs return to the house of horrors, and City tries to shake off the thumping they took at WHL last fall.

As for today, kudos to Kevin Wimmer—assured and confident. Kudos to Kyle Walker—one of his best performances of the year—in both directions. In my mind he was only denied the MOTM by the effervescent Christian Eriksen—who seemed to be everywhere and anywhere (he had logged over 10 kms by late in the second half, easily the most distance of anyone from either side) and played a direct role in both the opener and Kane’s finisher. Kane scored twice, and it could have been four. Son was frisky, Dier solid, Dembele typically dynamic.

We beat Norwich as we should. No AVB or Redknapp-inspired letdown tonight. This team not only wins away, they win convincingly away. Fiorentina and the Blue Mooners will be appropriate tests of that reality.