The List | 10 Things From The Weekend - 10/03/2014 - Football News

As the Jose Mourinho bandwagon keeps going on and on, Chelsea look like they are hitting their peak at just the right time. So are Real Madrid it seems, and even Manchester United picked up three points with a second successive league win in what seems like a very long time.
 

Arsenal have their first shout at a trophy in seasons with a favourable FA Cup draw and Manchester City are facing a make or break period after losing this weekend and with a mountain to climb mid-week. Here are ten things we learnt from the weekend.

It is better to have points than games in hand – According to everyone but Jose Mourinho that is. Chelsea are of course sitting at the top of the table, but should Manchester City win their games in hand, they'll overtake Mourinho and his men on goal difference. Quite if they can after this weekend's Wigan defeat however is anyone’s guess.

Arsenal have their best chance in ages to win a trophy – Well since their epic fail against Birmingham at least. The Gunners knocked Everton out of the FA Cup with an impressive 4-1 victory and due to Manchester City’s failings against Wigan, the club now have what looks like safe passage to lifting the trophy, unless the magic of the FA Cup has anything to say that is.



Why does Pellegrini persist with Martin Demichelis? – The defender is a hazard waiting to happen and unless the club manage to pull off the unthinkable at the Camp Nou, Demichelis will have managed to KO their hopes in two cup competitions in the space of a fortnight. City's one saving grace is that he cannot play in the second leg on Wednesday night.



Just what is happening to Barcelona? – The Cules have now lost three of their last six games and are looking more vulnerable than ever in terms of retaining the title. Both sides from Madrid keep on going but Real have the squad to fight on multiple fronts, where as their neighbours do not. It could well be a golden season for Ancelotti and his men.



There are some mighty big issues at White Hart Lane – The post-match press conference after the demolition by Chelsea was telling. Tim Sherwood used the words ‘they’ and not ‘we’ and also had a fair few pops at some of his players. With Levy taking a vow of silence over rumours of a new manager, Sherwood will be lucky to last the season.



The magic of the FA Cup is still there – With a little help from a certain Manchester City centre back, Wigan progressed to the next round and Arsenal are the only big guns left in it. There will be a dream trip to the final for one club who may never have expected it come the start of the season and given Arsenal’s evident issues with actually lifting trophies, a fairy tale ending could still be on the cards.



Neymar is coming under fire – The man who was hailed the signing of the summer at Camp Nou is coping a huge amount of flak from the Spanish media after seeing his side fall to pieces without any creative spark again. Whilst Jese and Gareth Bale fly, Messi and Neymar are leaving a fair bit to be desired. Not that Xavi thinks it is their fault – rather it is the pitch and the opposition not allowing them to play.



What a weekend of celebrations – From the rather witty old man celebration from Chelsea forward Samuel Eto’o to the hadbutting the corner flag by Hull City’s David Meyler, it seemed goals were not only used to win games but also to settle scores and prove a point as well.



Stadio Olimpico became Stadio Emptico – After Lazio fans decided to boycott the stadium in a protest aimed at their president, the club lost and slumped to mid table. Despite the manager and players calling for the boycott to end, more trouble could be in sight for the club.



RVP’s time at Manchester United has come to an end – Or so it would seem. The forward was lucky to remain on pitch this weekend and despite the club winning, RVP is not happy and it shows. Rumours of a rift with Moyes and a deteriorating partnership with Wayne Rooney have not helped either.

What did you learn from the weekend? Let us know. Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.