EPL Review: April 19-20

Fulham finally lost, Norwich still can't win, and Cardiff secured a point to move them ahead of the Cottagers on goal difference. Cardiff now sits in 18th, just 2 points behind Norwich. The relegation race will be decided in the next three weeks.

But the best action of the weekend took place at the top of the table.

Chelsea 1 - Sunderland 2

Sunderland took momentum from their mid-week draw against Manchester City to become the first EPL team to beat Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea was distracted by their upcoming midweek Champions League and next weekend's trip to Anfield, but for the Blues to lose to the bottom team in the league at home in the final run-in almost surely dooms what title hopes they had. Liverpool are now extremely strong favorites to win the league.

The victory came from a late penalty, won by Jozy Altidore. I say Altidore won the penalty because Cesar Azpilacueta did not concede it. Altidore's left leg stretched well outside his body, to an unnatural position, but into Azpilacueta's slide. Altidore went to the ground, and the referee pointed to the spot. But it was Altidore who initiated the contact, and the Blues were perhaps unlucky to lose in that manner. Not that I care how they lose.

Make no mistake, the Blues' lack of offensive firepower cost them more than dodgy refereeing on Saturday. Sunderland's defense was opened up by Tottenham just two weeks ago for five goals. Harry Kane was even scoring goals. To only score one goal at home against the worst team in the league is downright pitiful.

Mourinho has bemoaned his lack of striking options all year, but perhaps he should look to his midfield as well. Eden Hazard has been out for two weeks with an injury, and in that time Chelsea have crashed out of the title race. The Blues have lacked creative playmaking without their injured star.

Hull 0 - Arsenal 3

Hull was fairly good early but faded quickly as Arsenal exposed their 4-4-2 on the counter attack for two first half goals. 

Wojciech Szczesny made a series of great early plays, smothering numerous crosses and making a few saves to keep a clean sheet. It was a much better performance for the young polekeeper after he struggled against West Ham in midweek.

Hull was extremely physical early. Mikel Arteta lost his front tooth to a Shane Long elbow. David Meyler upended Nacho Monreal with a very aggressive tackle. But Arsenal responded to the physical play with absolute quality on the counter attack.

Mesut Ozil returned from injury and was fantastic yesterday. His vision and composure made all the difference. He constantly kept Arsenal's spacing by taking the right positions and found the right player when he had the ball. Even though he did not finish the match with any goals or assists, both of Arsenal's crucial first half goals were sparked by Ozil passes.

Aaron Ramsey was everywhere. His runs forward to support the attack were outstanding. He scored the first goal after an Ozil pass found Santi Cazorla and Cazorla one-timed a pass into Ramsey's feet. Ramsey coolly finished at the far post. 

For the second, Ramsey turned provider. An Ozil through ball found Olivier Giroud on the right wing. Giroud's cross to Ramsey was chested down right into the path of Lukas Podolski who finished with a well-placed volley. Then in the second half, a Cazorla cut-back found Ramsey yet again. Ramsey's shot was saved, but Podolski scored on the rebound.

Podolski has now scored 4 goals in 2 matches since his frustration at his substitution at Wembley a week ago. But the real story yesterday was Ramsey. Ramsey is the most dynamic midfielder in the Premier League, and his injury derailed what could have been a truly historic season. As I've said before, Ramsey might be the most dynamic British midfielder in EPL history. 

Hull cannot play their two strikers, Long and Jelavic, in the FA Cup final next month, so they will likely sit back and play more conservatively after paying the price for pushing too far forward yesterday. In that sense, I don't believe this match was any indication of how easy Arsenal will have it in the Final next month. But the Gunners will crucially take confidence into that match, as well as in the EPL run-in. Much needed confidence too, as Everton is nipping at their heels.

Everton 2 - Man United 0

David Moyes's return to Goodison was met by a Grim Reaper in the stands, foreshadowing the many reports that Moyes has been sacked this morning.

I've went into detail as to why I don't think Moyes is to blame for United's problems once already this year. I have to say I'm surprised this has happened. And I think United may be worse off with a new manager. The team he inherited simply isn't good enough to win anything.

United were beaten soundly by Everton, despite dominating possession. Everton's direct play exposed United's weak, slow central midfield and put United's defense under constant pressure. The flanks were taken apart as well. And United had no cutting edge in the final third.

Jonny Evans and Phil Jones struggled all day. The Toffees played long balls into Romelu Lukaku, and Lukaku's flick-ons to Naismith were easy as neither Darren Fletcher nor Michael Carrick tracked back well at all. 

United had all the possession but was toothless in attack. For Arsenal, when this happens the blame lands completely on Giroud. England fans won't want to hear this, especially ahead of the World Cup, but Wayne Rooney simply isn't good enough. The lion's share of blame for United's struggles should land squarely on the England "superstar."

Rooney has 15 EPL goals this year. Giroud has 14. The comparison is more valid than England and United fans would like to admit. It's much more convenient to blame Moyes, but Rooney earns 300,000 pounds a year. He's playing like a striker who doesn't make 100,000. And nowhere near Luis Suarez, who makes 200,000 after his new contract this fall.

Compare Suarez to Rooney. Both wanted to leave their club this summer. Both were coaxed into staying by being given new contracts. Suarez's pay increased from 150k to 200k, and he will likely break the EPL single-season goalscoring record this year despite missing the first 7 games through suspension. Rooney upped his pay from 200k to 300k, and Rooney has repaid his club with a series of Giroudian performances.

This isn't to say Giroud is a bad player, but considering Rooney's salary, its fair to expect much more from him. 3 times more.

Rooney's track record suggests such expectations are far-fetched, however. Average seasons like this one are far more common than great ones. Only twice has 28-year-old Rooney eclipsed the 20-goal mark in the league. Last season he scored 12 league goals. In 2010/11 he scored just 11. He scored only 12 in 07/08 and 08/09. He simply didn't deserve the contract when he got it, and still does not deserve it now. 

United now are mathematically eliminated from the Champions League and have real work to do to catch Tottenham for the last spot in the Europa League.

Keep blaming Moyes all you like for their fall from grace this season, but the highest-paid player in the EPL has been distinctly average all year. 20 million per goal is simply nowhere near good enough.

Changing the manager won't get rid of Rooney's toxic contract.

And with the possibility of no European football staring United in the face right now, the Rooney issue could become a serious drain on the club's resources in the coming years.