No team has gained more points when compared with last season's equivalent fixtures than Swansea & West Ham, who have both gained ten points on last season's totals so far
Firstly, what a win yesterday. No we didn't have much of the ball but tactically I think Monk got one over on Van Gaal, whose much more illustrious side were unable to fashion any real clear-cut opportunities, instead resorting to long balls to Fellaini, and hoping for something out of a set piece.
The result, coupled with West Ham's draw against Spurs, means that Swansea & West Ham are both ten points up on last season if you compare results so far with the equivalent fixtures last term. No other team has improved more in terms of points gained, and despite a tough run of late we're now in a position to enjoy the rest of the season. Thirty-seven points is normally enough to avoid relegation, but it'd be a hard argue that we aren't going to pick up any points between now and the end of the season anyway.
Only Swansea (+10), West Ham (+10) & Chelsea (+7) have made more improvement than Tottenham (+6) in comparison to equiv. fixtures last term.
— Simon Gleave (@SimonGleave) February 22, 2015
This stat came to light from a tweet by Simon Gleave, head of analysis at Infostrada, so thanks to him for pointing it out. We're now only nine points from fifth, remarkably, but I'm sure Monk won't be too worried about European qualification.
We're now in a position to develop our tactics, fine tune our attack and look to push as high as we can in the league, with essentially no pressure or worries of relegation. To be able to say that before the end of February, and after a 2-1 win over Manchester United, is very pleasing indeed.