By Tonte Davies
Raheem Sterling is no doubt, a deserved contender for PFA Young Player of the Year. His recent performances for Liverpool FC on the field of play most notably against Manchester City and Norwich City, says it all. Sterling’s goals and contribution to Brendan Rodgers’ attack line continues to give Liverpool an edge over rival contenders of the league title. This makes Liverpool a formidable force when they host Chelsea FC in a crunch encounter come this weekend with Liverpool five points clear at the top (this encounter is observed as a decider for the league title with 3 games to go).
The Reds defeated Norwich City 2-3 at Carrow Road (Norwich’s home ground), with two goals coming from Raheem Sterling. Sterling’s first goal, a sensational 25-yards stunner within five minutes of kick-off, his second, the last of the game. Luis Suarez scored a goal in 11 minutes for which Sterling was instrumental in the build-up play. Suarez’s goal brings his tally to 30 this Premier League season.
“I think he’s arguably the best young player in European football at the moment.” Brendan Rodgers said to reporters. Rodgers opines Sterling “should win Young Player of the Year.” The gaffer continues “…I’m really pleased with his maturity. He puts an awful lot of time into his work.” Since Brendan Rodgers came on board as manager of Liverpool last season, Sterling has played in different positions. According to Rodgers playing the 19-year old in different positions is “to improve his football intelligence.”
Norwich City were able to put two goals past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in admirable fashion. Gary Hooper scored a response nine minutes after the restart of the second half for which Mignolet was guilty. Snodgrass scored a header in 77 minutes giving the Canaries spirited hope for a fight back. Late substitute Ricky van Wolfswinkel got a chance to equalize for Norwich but his header was kept safe from goal by Mignolet.
Other league results…
Liverpool may be in commanding position for the league title, same cannot be said of Manchester United to make Europa League next season. The Red Devils lost 2-0 to Everton FC, David Moyes’ previous employers and the reception was in the words of commentators “frosty.” This did not however, deter focus of the Scot as there was a job to do.
Goals from Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas added misery to the already piled up misery account of Manchester United. David Moyes told Sky Sports “it does [hurt]because it’s part of this club. We’ll do everything we can to get ourselves in it [Champions League] as quickly as we can. About the goals, Moyes concedes “we gave away two terrible goals…but we passed brilliantly…” Not many United fans will agree they passed the ball “brilliantly” because if they did, why didn’t they win?
Arsenal seemed the happier team with a 3-0 drubbing of Hull City with goals from Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski. In what is described as a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final, the Gunners looked sharper in play and creating chances.