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A MONTH ago it was a title race I thought would go down to the wire.
Now I’d say we’ll be lucky if it’s still any sort of contest by the time we get to Easter.

Is there any stopping Manchester City? Harry Redknapp doesn’t think soCredit: Getty Images – Getty

SunSport columnist thinks the Premier League title race is as good as doneCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

In fact, forget that. In my eyes the Premier League is over already, certainly in terms of who will be champions.
The strangest few weeks in the strangest of seasons means whatever happens at Liverpool on Sunday, Manchester City will win it at a canter.
So much for my view that six or seven teams could still be in with a shout come late April.
As far as I’m concerned, the only battle now is for second place. And the way City are going, a poor second at that.

Since I said we were in for a 1970s-style season, when you could throw your hat over half a dozen teams, City haven’t dropped a point.
In fact they’ve only conceded one goal — two if you include the FA Cup at Cheltenham — while everyone else has stumbled at some stage.
That’s a real pity, because we’d all have loved to be on the edge of our seats going into the last fortnight.
But this race is over, believe me. The biggest shock is that Manchester bookie Fred Done hasn’t already paid out on them winning it — I bet he would if it was United!

Only a month ago four points separated the top seven. There was one point between the top three and City were fifth.
Going into this weekend they are seven ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s team, with a game in hand, and looking as unbeatable as a couple of years ago.
Funnily enough, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sunday’s game ended all square because Liverpool do raise their game against the bigger teams.
It’s the supposed smaller ones which have caused them problems. Who’d have put a penny on Brighton or Burnley winning at Anfield, never mind both? West Brom got a point there, too.
There was no fluke about Wednesday’s result. Brighton were good value, Klopp’s lot only had one shot on target and looked lethargic to me.
We know they’ve had injuries, but don’t forget City are doing it all without Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero hasn’t started a game since October.
Of course we’ve seen plenty of daft results this season, but it’s hard to see where and when City will slip up again.
John Stones looks a top-class centre-back again and the bloke alongside him, Ruben Dias, has been a sensation.

John Stones and Ruben Dias have been huge for CityCredit: EPA

The leaders head to Anfield on top formCredit: Getty Images – Getty
City are the one team you can rely on for results because it’s still as mad as ever with the rest of them.
Look at those five Premier League games on Wednesday night — every one of them was an away win.
I’ve said before, I do think playing in an empty stadium has a big effect and shows how important the fans are to a “proper” game.
None of us want to go back to a year ago, when we could only get a football fix from re-runs and replays, but this still doesn’t feel like the real thing.
There’s no tempo, no pace and no real excitement. At times some of the matches have been pretty hard going.
I remember saying years and years ago the big difference for a lot of players, the thing that really makes them perform at their best, is being in front of a big crowd.
Put them in the lower leagues, when there’s only a handful of people watching, and some of them really don’t look anything special.
I’ve loaned players from the Premier League to Division Two who’ve made me look a real mug, because they’ve been useless. It’s the crowd that gets them going.
The one team that doesn’t seem to have been affected is City and there’s no reason it should suddenly change now.
So, yes, I’m sure Liverpool will be up for it and may well get a point.But I still can’t see them being within double figures of Pep Guardiola’s team come the end of it all.

WILDER’S A FIGHTER
They are still rock bottom and need the biggest miracle ever to survive — but what a fantastic spirit Sheffield United are showing.
It would have been easy for them to let their heads drop given how far adrift they were.
But three wins from five — including at Old Trafford — shows they won’t go without a scrap.
Not that I’d expect anything else with Chris Wilder in charge.
And if they do drop, I just hope the owner sticks to his word and keeps hold of him.
Wilder IS Sheffield United and there isn’t a better bloke out there to bring them back to the Prem.

Chris Wilder will fight to the end to keep Sheffield United upCredit: AP:Associated Press
They’re just unfortunate the others who were in danger, like Brighton, Burnley and Crystal Palace, have all picked up points recently, too.
I think the bottom three now are the ones who will go. But, just like the Blades, I hope Fulham and West Brom keep their bosses.
Scott Parker did a great job to bring Fulham up in the first place and I’m sure he would do so again if that is required.
And if West Brom go down, there’s no better man than Sam Allardyce to get them straight back up.
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FOXES TO GO VARD
It’s FA Cup time this week — and I fancy Leicester City to give it a right go.
On their day they can beat anyone.
They’ll fancy their chances at home to Brighton and, even if Jamie Vardy isn’t back against Wolves, he will certainly be fit for their sixth-round clash.

GOOD WILL FOR BRUCE
I was delighted for Steve Bruce when Newcastle won at Everton last week because the stick he’s had is way over the top.
And I tell you one thing…
If Callum Wilson keeps playing like he did at Goodison, he could have a real shout for England at the Euros.

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TANGUY NDOMBELE is certain Jose Mourinho’s criticism created “a war” in his head.
But it is a war that Tottenham’s record signing appears to have won.

Tanguy Ndombele has opened up on his chats with Jose MourinhoCredit: PA:Press Association

Less than a year after Spurs manager Mourinho hooked Ndombele at half-time against Burnley and laid into him after the game, the French midfielder is a key part of the team.
At the time, though, Ndombele admits he was in turmoil.
The French have a phrase “qui j’aime bien chatie bien”, which is the rough equivalent of “spare the rod, spoil the child”, or plain old “tough love”.
Did it apply in that situation?

Ndombele smiled but said: “Well, yeah, that French expression stands — we do say that about the way people are with each other.
“But sometimes the words can be too hard or too harsh when you speak that way.
“When you speak that way it is obviously going to have an effect — and it created for me a war in my head. It was difficult to take.”
But over time, Ndombele, 24, found the right response to Mourinho’s straight-talking.

He said: “It was not enjoyable of course, but it was not unmerited criticism.
“It depends how you take the message, I would say.
“Obviously the coach can be quite hard on people but I think that’s understandable if you concede a sloppy goal or things don’t go your way.
“But it’s important that you take that message on board and try to find in it the positives and not be floored by the hardness of the message.
“You have to get up again. You can either try to blame others for any slips or errors, or try to laugh about it or brush it off.
“But you will always go on to reflect properly on what has been said and to take criticism on board.
“Now it’s safe to say that things are going very well, communication is open and we are all happy with that.
“It is all good, we can talk openly, have a laugh together, sit down for a meal, no problems.”

Ndombele has made big strides since he landed in North LondonCredit: AFP
Both former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and Mourinho expressed concern about the injury problems that hampered the start of Ndombele’s Spurs career following his £60million move from Lyon in 2019.
Mourinho even had to apologise after taking the French international out for an impromptu training session during the first lockdown.
Ndombele’s Spurs future still seemed in doubt when he played just 64 minutes in the Premier League after the 2019-20 season resumed.
But on September 20, he made his first start since that March game at Burnley — and has not looked back.
Ndombele said: “I think the coach’s management of me was good — in the sense that he brought me back slowly with appearances for 60, 65, 70 minutes.
“That helped me get into a rhythm and now I’m in great shape. I think I am doing better this season on several fronts — primarily no injury.
“I’m also understanding my team-mates better.
“I’ve got a strong grasp of what the coach wants from me and that has contributed to this positive frame of mind.”
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My intention was to lob it in [vs Sheff Utd] and I was just lucky it came off better than I expected.
Tanguy Ndombele

The signing of Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg seems to have given Ndombele in particular more freedom to play to his strengths.
After speaking through a translator, he even tried out a bit of English when asked what his preferred role was.
He said: “My best position? I dunno. Between a six and ten.”
Which sounds like a No 8, a box-to-box midfielder. But it is hard to pigeonhole Ndombele, so it is no surprise it has taken Spurs and Mourinho a while to get the best out of him.
In the outrageous goal he scored against Sheffield United last month, you could even see something of the audacity of his childhood hero, Ronaldinho.
Because it was no fluke — Ndombele meant it.

He said: “Yes I did, but my intention was to lob it in and I was just lucky it came off better than I expected.”
And that goal, the cherry on top of his strong performances so far this season, showed that Ndombele was in a good place.
He said: “I am certainly playing a very positive game and I have my confidence up.”
The war in Ndombele’s head is over — and now he is leading Spurs’ fight for a Champions League place.

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JACK GREALISH has been warned he could lose the ‘aura of being the main man’ if he quit Aston Villa.
The talismanic midfielder has been in sensational form this season, as Dean Smith’s side push for European qualification.

Jack Grealish has been in red-hot form for his boyhood club this termCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Grealish — who will lead his side out against Arsenal on Saturday — is being watched by a number of top clubs including Manchester United.
But Villa legend Gareth Barry — who made a club record 385 Prem appearances in the claret and blue  — believes Grealish, 25, must be wary of leaving his boyhood club this summer.
The BT Sport pundit said: “The way he is playing and the confidence he’s got, there won’t just be one team in Europe wanting his signature, it will be a number of teams.
“The good point for Villa is the value of him is through the roof, you’re talking about big money if you want to buy him.

“Do Aston Villa need the money? I’m not sure they do. A lot about his future is going to be where Jack’s head is.
“He’s captain of the club he supports. If he leaves he’s probably going to lose that aura of being the main man.
“It’s big decisions ahead for Jack Grealish and Aston Villa. I’ve always said for him at the minute, just keep enjoying your football.
“He’s playing with a confidence I’ve not seen in him before. He’s got to enjoy it while it’s there because it can change quickly.”

Gareth Barry made a PL-record 385 appearances for the VillansCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Barry reckons Villa boss Smith has to be in the running to be named Manager of the Season  after their astonishing turnaround.
They only stayed up on a dramatic final day of last season but now lie in ninth with two games in hand on their Premier League rivals.
The ex-Manchester City ace, 39, added: “It has been unbelievable. They are in a great position.
“The games they have lost at West Ham and Burnley away, they could have easily had another six points.
“It’s phenomenal really as a fan watching Villa this year. They’re a team you look forward to watching. They’re not just getting results, they are doing it playing well.”
And Barry has hailed Villa’s recruitment as a catalyst for their push for Europe after splashing out £87.5million this campaign on Ollie Watkins & Co.
He said: “It would have been easy for the owners to say ‘look, we just avoided relegation, it’s a bit risky giving Dean Smith this sort of money’.

Ollie Watkins has given Grealish more support upfrontCredit: AP:Associated Press

Ross Barkley has been rejuvenated at Villa ParkCredit: Reuters
“They’d all be on good wages but they have backed him and he’s done his job.
“He’s identified the right players and it’s all come together.
“They have produced the goods. That wasn’t guaranteed with the two Championship players coming in — it’s a difficult jump.
“And Ross Barkley’s had a big point to prove this year — not getting games at Chelsea — and he’s stepped it up.
“The goalkeeper Emi Martinez has been phenomenal, probably the best in the league this year.
“They have all got a point to prove. They are clever signings. A lot of credit must go to identifying what’s needed to turn that around.
“Watkins, Matty Cash, you can’t say these were guaranteed to be playing as well as they have and to have had the effect they’ve had.
“It’s been great recruitment and fair play to the lads for coming in and doing the job too.”  
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MANCHESTER UNITED have held talks with a new ‘happy’ Paul Pogba over his future at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman has 16 months left on his deal and United would need to sell this summer to get a decent price for their £89million record signing.

‘Happy’ Paul Pogba could now stay at Man UtdCredit: AP:Associated Press

Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola have talked publicly in the past about his desire to leave for a new challenge.
But manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now getting the best out of the player, giving the club some optimism that they have turned a corner and the 27-year-old midfielder could commit his future to them.
Solskjaer said: “Speculation about Paul is always going to be there, we’ve got a good, open dialogue with Paul so what we talk about and how we see that situation remains between us.
“I’m just happy he’s focused and playing really well and he’s happy within himself and that’s important — you can see Paul enjoying football himself with a red shirt on.

“Paul is a Man United player through and through.
“He’s been here in two spells, he came as a kid he’s learnt about the history of the club, the passion of the club, he wants to do the best for Man United when he’s here.
“I think we’ve seen that he really cares for his team and he’s trying to be as successful as everyone else.”
Injury wrecked last season for Pogba and he had a slow start to this one after catching Covid-19.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rotated Paul PogbaCredit: Reuters

But his form of late saw him voted the club’s player of the month for January by the fans, helping to inspire a title tilt as they prepare to host Everton on Saturday.
Solskjaer added: “Paul has really knuckled down, he’s worked hard, he’s got his fitness.
“I have said this many a time that he had a bad season last season with injuries and he had Covid this season and an injury but he really works hard and is playing in a team that plays well and he’s a big inspiration for everyone.
“He always has a big smile… well not always a big smile because in training yesterday when his team lost you can see how that affects him and he wasn’t happy.
“But today is a new day and he is ready to go again tomorrow.”

I think it’s a sign of a Man United player that takes on the challenge of competition because if you can’t deal with competition and you want to be successful you’re at the wrong place
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Pogba is one of those whose form has improved as competition for places in the team has increased with new arrivals.
Solskjaer said: “I think it’s a sign of a Man United player that takes on the challenge of competition because if you can’t deal with competition and you want to be successful you’re at the wrong place.
“Nobody is guaranteed a place in the team like a season-ticket card.
“Here you’ve got to perform to be part of the success of Man United and I’ve been part of it myself with strikers coming in and you’ve just got to take the challenge head on.
“We’ve signed players that we believe in but that’s also kicked some of the other players up the backside to perform and make sure they keep performing.”
Pogba joined United’s youth academy in 2009 but left the club for Juventus after a contract dispute with then boss Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012.

Pogba is desperate to win at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He won four Scudettos in Italy before returning to Old Trafford in a then world record £89m move in 2016.
He signed a five-year contract with the option of a further year which was triggered by the club and he earns £290,000 a week.
He has attracted strong interest from Real Madrid and his former club Juventus.
United’s £180m asking price in the summer of 2019 scuppered a potential move to Real’s Bernabeu.
Meanwhile, striker Edinson Cavani (ankle) is likely to be rested against the Toffees, with Anthony Martial returning to the starting line-up.
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