The EPL top-four race is heating up and after Wolves’ win against Spurs as many as six teams are fighting for two Champions League spots.
Chelsea and West Ham United are currently the third and fourth sides on the table but since all the teams have not played the same number of games, a lot of drama is yet to unfold.
After Tottenham’s loss during the weekend, it looks like reality has hit Antonio Conte pretty hard. The Lilywhites went down 0-2 to Wolves and speaking to the press, the Italian has admitted that finishing in the top-four will now be an uphill battle.
“When you lose two games at home and against Chelsea, for a team that wants to qualify for the Champions League, it’s impossible to happen,” Conte told Sky Sports on Sunday, as per ESPN.
“We know we have to fight to build something important with the situation but it’s important to know the situation. Maybe our fans shouldn’t be disappointed with the defeat, instead, they should try and push us and stay behind us.
“The players need to find the right atmosphere and feel no pressure about a target that in this moment you can’t reach. I’ve been saying this since my arrival.
“We need to be realistic and together. The fans need to understand to have patience, to wait to rebuild again to a situation they were used to in the past.
Antonio Conte loses three games in a row for the first time in 13 years đą pic.twitter.com/FwZq0MJ258
— GOAL (@goal) February 13, 2022
“We are working hard with the players and there is great commitment but it’s not enough if we want to be competitive. We have to wait.”
Conte is not the only manager who’s already faltering since Man United manager Ralf Rangnick has also claimed that his predecessor will also have to take a share of the blame if United cannot secure am EPL top-four spot this season.
“It [not finishing in the top four] has always been a concern since Ole left the club,” said Rangnick. “That was one of the reasons why he probably had to leave the club and of course results like [Southampton] doesn’t make things any easier.
“This is what we have to face. We have to realise the truth and obviously with results like this it doesn’t make it any easier to finish fourth at the end.”
Which teams are currently favourites to finish in the EPL top-four?
Like Tottenham, Manchester United also dropped points during the weekend and they are currently fifth on the Premier League table.
Man Unitedâs players are frustrated with Ralf Rangnickâs squad selection methods, with some believing his training sessions are âold fashionedâ.
Players have also jokingly likened assistant Chris Armas to fictional football coach Ted Lasso, sources have told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/EArcFwJKK7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 11, 2022
Spurs have several games in hand as compared to teams like Chelsea and West Ham United but now they have suffered three consecutive defeats and currently, they are even below Wolves on the table. At one point, they looked to be cruise control but it’s pretty evident that the honeymoon period has ended for the ex-Inter boss.
After beating Conte’s side Wolves have also entered the race and are just two points behind Arsenal, having played one game more than the Gunners though.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal not making any signing in January: âWe only want the best players and the best people in this clubâ, per @jamesbenge. âŞď¸đ´ #AFC
âWhen we are in a rush and the reasons are not the right one for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do itâ. pic.twitter.com/FSrPcFQ8Pr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 9, 2022
Chelsea have played 24 games and are currently third on the EPL table whereas Spurs have played 22 games so, at least on paper, they still have a chance to close the 11 point gap.
As things stand, Chelsea and West Ham United are the first in line to finish in the top four but if Arsenal can win their games in hand then they will be just two points behind third-place Chelsea. The Gunners have lost only one out of their previous five league games and since they don’t have any European endeavours, their players will remain relatively fresh as compared to the others.
Spurs, Chelsea, West Ham, Man United, Arsenal and Wolves are all in the hunt to finish in the top four of the EPL and the two sides who can maintain their nerves and grind out results will be the ones who will secure the final two Champions League spots.
United and Spurs have dropped some really cheap points in the previous few months and since Man United are also back in the UCL so both these sides will find it really hard to get back into the top four. Now the onus is on the likes of Arsenal, West Ham and Wolves to get within touching distance of Chelsea and make Tuchel hit the panic button.
