José Mourinho has little to show from big away days, Vincent Kompany talks up the Pep Guardiola revolution, and Tony Pulis points to the bottom line
1) Mourinho comes unstuck on road to top-four rivals
Manchester United’s run of 25 unbeaten league games came to an end at Arsenal where José Mourinho once again set up his team with the focus on nullifying the opposition. Asking Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata to follow Arsenal’s wingbacks wherever they went meant sacrificing two of his most creative talents in an attempt to deny the Gunners control. This of course is the Mourinho way, to be reactive, to never make the first mistake, but against their direct rivals away from home it simply hasn’t worked: United have failed to score in 360 Premier League minutes at the Emirates, the Etihad, Stamford Bridge and Anfield this season. Next is a trip to White Hart Lane and given United’s league position it would hardly be a great risk to loosen up and go toe to toe with Tottenham, yet that kind of front-foot away performance seems no more likely now than it did under Mourinho’s predecessor. Lawrence Ostlere
2) Arsenal and the Champions League – the saga may continue
Arsenal have made a habit of finishing the season with a flourish under Arsène Wenger and with four games still left to salvage a Champions League spot, they may still fancy their chances. Victory against Southampton on Wednesday would move them above Manchester United into fifth and ensure they are in a strong position should either Manchester City or Liverpool slip up. With home games against Sunderland and Everton to finish, the trips to St Mary’s and Wenger’s old favourite stamping ground of the Britannia Stadium to play Stoke look like being pivotal to their hopes given Arsenal’s recent struggles on the road. If not, a first season outside Europe’s elite competition since the Frenchman’s arrival in 1996 beckons. Ed Aarons
3) Howe sets sights on top-10 finish at Bournemouth
Both teams were supposed to be distracted by thoughts of the beach but Stoke’s draw at Bournemouth showed two sides determined to finish the season with a bang. They finished the weekend as they started it, a point apart, in mid-table and quietly going about their business. They also went home assured of their Premier League status for another season. Bournemouth, especially, are intent on reaching new, higher ground. They are unbeaten in three matches and with two games to go, at home to Burnley and then away at Leicester City, they are sitting rather pretty on 42 points – the same number they finished with in 16th place last year. Eddie Howe’s side are desperate to go one (or six) better. “We want to try and secure a top-10 finish if possible,” the Bournemouth manager said. “From our perspective, it is always trying to improve.” Ben Fisher
4) Pulis tells critics to look at table – and club’s bottom line
A bit of criticism is like water off a duck’s back for Tony Pulis. Be it his style of play or his reluctance to sit down in press conferences, the West Bromwich Albionmanager is quite happy doing things his way. But after his side’s 2-2 draw at Burnley – a team who deserve all the plaudits they should get for their achievements this season – the West Bromwich head coach took exception to those pointing the finger at the way his team have tailed off since securing Premier League safety. Despite the result on Saturday extending their winless run to six matches, this – let’s face it – unfashionable Albion team remain a hugely creditable eighth. “People who have been giving us stick don’t understand,” Pulis said. “We will make a massive profit at the end of the season, this club is run very professionally. We have to survive and we do that very well.” Ben Fisher
5) Pickford shows excellence that was missing at Sunderland
Put people under pressure and their reactions are sometimes spellbinding. With the stress off David Moyes’s already relegated Sunderland side, the immense tension surrounding Marco Silva’s team undid Hull City, even if Jordan Pickford’s saves contributed to their downfall. Sunderland’s brilliant goalkeeper has consistently excelled but it should be remembered Moyes was initially unsure about him, making a concerted attempt to sign Joe Hart in August. Had that happened Pickford would have wasted the campaign warming the bench rather than being a rare Wearside overachiever. “The first thing I expect from team‑mates is trusting them to give their all every game,” Billy Jones, Sunderland’s right-back, said in a devastating critique. “At times this season, that’s been lacking. Players need to look at themselves in the mirror.” Louise Taylor
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