Fantastic Fourth

Reds: Eyeing forth spot

As Manchester United and Arsenal battle it out at the summit of the Premier League in what looks like the tightest title race in years, there are some bewildering battles developing for the lucrative fourth ‘Champions League’ berth.

Scouse rivals Liverpool and Everton both posted impressive victories on Sunday, Everton occupy fourth spot but the Reds have a game in hand and lay three points in arrears.

Marshalled by Captain Steven Gerrard, Liverpool lifted the pressure of under-fire boss Rafa Benitez after a 3-1 victory at Bolton.

The Scousers for once had their fair share of luck after Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen spilled a tame effort from Gerard to give the Reds the initiative which they capitalised upon to nail all three points.

Skipper Gerrard said: ‘This was a massive result for us with the teams around us winning.’

Despite holding fourth place, Everton boss David Moyes put the pressure on his rivals by declaring them favourites for the Champs League spot.

‘We are doing everything we can to make a fight of it but Liverpool have to be favourites, still.

‘We have been consistent but for them fourth would be expected. The bookies are right to make them favourites.’

Moyes is sitting pretty at the moment, the Toffees have hit good form and striker Yakubu struck twice as they saw off the challenge of Portsmouth.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill must be rueing his defenders after they allowed Nicklas Bendtner to score an equaliser for Arsenal in the fourth minute of added time on Saturday, denying them three lucrative points.

Villa sit two points behind Liverpool, it’s going to be too tight to call who will be added to the mix to face the giants of Europe next season.

share this story: