Informed observers and Lucien reckon this weekend is the crucial one (and the one before it. And the one before that) in the Premier League. Man City are at the end of their run of tough away games, games they have not covered themselves in glory in; a perfunctory victory against a United side engaged with throwing their manager out the airlock, a poor 1-1 against a crumpled Arsenal, and a self-immolating performance at Anfield. They travel to a ground they have won at only once in their past fifteen attempts; Everton fans may be in two minds about this game but Martinez's men, still chasing faint top four hopes and bolstered by the return of the core of their defence, will not be. Should City manage the impossible Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Palace on Monday will mean little, otherwise dat slip will be nothing but a chucklesome memory.

Perilously written off Chelsea meanwhile find ideal cathartic punch bags in the form of a defeated-looking Norwich on Sunday, and Arsenal should handily bugger West Brombto make Everton's earlier victory immaterial. Fulham and Cardiff may delay the inevitable against easy-going mid table outfits. Villa should get the point or three which will keep them up for another wretched season. Also the Milan derby and the end of the football league to enjoy; most of the top spots have long been sewn up but there will be plenty of desperate scrapping going on at the bottom of the barrels. Take care of yourselves out there.