We’re at the halfway point in the season and it’s a super important time for the teams fighting for the title and a place in Europe as clubs try to take winning momentum into 2024 while most teams have key injuries,
Man City recorded only a second win in seven league games after coming from behind to win at Everton, just a few days after winning the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. It was a rare patch of inconsistency for City but usually we see them charge in the backend of the season when other teams can start to feel the pressure and fatigue.
The win against Everton was a big boost and Pep is now focused on keeping winning ways when they face Sheff Utd in their final game of the year.
Man Utd have also had problems with consistency this season and Ten Hag was happy to get the win against Aston Villa after falling two goals behind. The comeback was completed in the 82nd minute when Holjund grabbed his first Premier League goal. There were big celebrations at the final whistle as United moved up to sixth in the table, and travel to Forest on Saturday with aims to finish the year on a high note.
Chelsea were pleased to take all the points against Palace, in a game that could have gone either way but was edged into Chelsea’s favour thanks to a later penalty from Madueke. The pressure was mounting on Mauricio Pochettino following a fourth straight away Premier League defeat at Wolves on Christmas Eve, and in 2024 the job will be getting consistency and more goals out of his young team.
Newcastle are another team that have struggled with consistency this season. They were unlucky to be knocked out of the Champions League, partly thanks to a controversial VAR decision against PSG, but their form in the league has dropped and Eddie Howe needs to turn things around quickly if Newcastle will qualify for Europe next season.
Their next game is a tough one at Anfield on New Year’s Day, which would be a huge result if they can get something from it and shift the momentum.
This time of year is going to be exciting as everyone wants to go into the new year as a winner.