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MANCHESTER United are holding on to their wafer-thin one-point advantage over Liverpool, thanks to super-sub Federico Macheda's winning goals against Aston Villa and Sunderland. The defending champions still have a game in hand, but unless their form improves drastically in the last seven games, their below-par performances away from home, goals scored and goals conceded could come back to haunt them. NOT ONLY are Man United scoring less goals and conceding more compared to last season, their disciplinary record, ranked third-worst in the Premiership, also leaves much to be desired. Club captain Gary Neville and the combustible Wayne Rooney picked up yellow cards in the 2-1 win over Sunderland last Saturday, making it a total of 57 yellow and five red cards so far. Rooney, as expected, is the worst-disciplined player in the team with seven yellow and one red card. Ill-discipline could cost the Red Devils dearly in the run-in. LIVERPOOL continue to improve in all areas - Home and Away Form (HF and AF) as well as Goals Scored (GS) and Goals Conceded (GC). The 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers last Saturday boosted their goal difference to 28, which is superior to Man United (23) and Chelsea (25). It could turn out to be the key difference if the title chase goes down to the wire. ARSENAL are arguably the most in-form team of the Big Four and that spells trouble for the other three clubs. The Gunners came from behind to beat Wigan 4-1 last weekend to extend their 18-match unbeaten run. They have a big say in the title chase as they still have to play Liverpool (21 Apr), Chelsea (10 May) and Man United (16 May). ASTON Villa's three goals in the 3-3 draw against Everton last Sunday restored them to their Tier status in terms of Goals Scored, but they are still performing like a Tier 2 team when it comes to defending. That is why they are currently on a freefall after taking fourth spot at one stage of the season. EVERTON are breathing down Villa's necks for fifth spot and rightly so. The Toffees have not spent big money in the transfer market as the other Tier 2 teams this season but that has not stopped them from improving in all but one area in their performance. They are performing to their Tier status in terms of their Home Form but have chalked up more away victories, scored more goals and conceded less in defence. DESPITE their rich history and the amount of resources at their disposal, Manchester City and Newcastle have shown little to deserve their Tier 2 status. Man City are stronger at home this season but they are performing like a Tier 4 team on the road. The same goes for Newcastle, who are under-performing in all areas except in the goal-scoring department. Man City's Premiership status should be safe but the Magpies are in serious trouble. LIM HAN MING
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