"Manchester United’s defeat at Fulham and Liverpool’s home thrashing of Aston Villa has certainly made the title race far more interesting," writes footballpools.com pundit John Barnes.
"Sir Alex Ferguson’s side still look in a good position to win the title, a point in front with their game in hand but after having a look at both team’s remaining fixtures, Liverpool have by far the easier run-in and really do have a great chance of winning the title.
"Prior to seeing the games left to play I would have strongly fancied United to take the title but they face a number of tough fixtures, though most of them are at Old Trafford. When you consider Liverpool’s run-in, only Arsenal at Anfield looks a tough one and when you consider the confidence Rafa’s side have gained from not losing to any of their big four this season, I can easily see Liverpool winning all their remaining games.
"I don’t think United are showing signs of blowing the title despite back-to-back defeats. The talk of indiscipline following three red cards in those games is rubbish too. Take the two sending-offs on Saturday, Paul Scholes handball on the line was a natural reaction and Wayne Rooney would be the same as he was against Fulham whether winning or not. So you can’t say the pressure has got to them, it’s just all come at once.
"A lot has been made of United’s lacking performance at Craven Cottage but you must give credit to Fulham who have shown they are a very good side at home. It also proves that none of the big boys are unbeatable and as I’ve said all along they’ll all drop points as on any day any Premier League side can beat another, such is the strength of the English top division.
"United still have to travel to Boro and Wigan who are both potential banana skins plus host local rivals City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa so will do well to take all the points in those games. I still see United dropping more points in the run-in, so it may well depend on whether Liverpool can win all their remaining matches to decide the destination of the Premier League title. Can Rafa’s side take maximum points from their remaining 8 league games? Looking at Liverpool’s remaining games, I believe they can."
"Sir Alex Ferguson’s side still look in a good position to win the title, a point in front with their game in hand but after having a look at both team’s remaining fixtures, Liverpool have by far the easier run-in and really do have a great chance of winning the title.
"Prior to seeing the games left to play I would have strongly fancied United to take the title but they face a number of tough fixtures, though most of them are at Old Trafford. When you consider Liverpool’s run-in, only Arsenal at Anfield looks a tough one and when you consider the confidence Rafa’s side have gained from not losing to any of their big four this season, I can easily see Liverpool winning all their remaining games.
"I don’t think United are showing signs of blowing the title despite back-to-back defeats. The talk of indiscipline following three red cards in those games is rubbish too. Take the two sending-offs on Saturday, Paul Scholes handball on the line was a natural reaction and Wayne Rooney would be the same as he was against Fulham whether winning or not. So you can’t say the pressure has got to them, it’s just all come at once.
"A lot has been made of United’s lacking performance at Craven Cottage but you must give credit to Fulham who have shown they are a very good side at home. It also proves that none of the big boys are unbeatable and as I’ve said all along they’ll all drop points as on any day any Premier League side can beat another, such is the strength of the English top division.
"United still have to travel to Boro and Wigan who are both potential banana skins plus host local rivals City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa so will do well to take all the points in those games. I still see United dropping more points in the run-in, so it may well depend on whether Liverpool can win all their remaining matches to decide the destination of the Premier League title. Can Rafa’s side take maximum points from their remaining 8 league games? Looking at Liverpool’s remaining games, I believe they can."
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