Man Utd nailed on for top-four spot among 5 midweek lessons

February’s midweek round of Premier League games provided a plethora of storylines and lessons to chew over, with Paul Lambert the latest manager to feel the pinch.

We’ve assessed the good, the bad and the damn-right ugly from a full programme of top-flight fixtures:

Aston Villa were forced to act decisively (Hull 2-0 Aston Villa)

The search for Lambert’s replacement is on after Villa terminated the Scotsman’s contract and although no one likes to see a manager lose his job, it was an understandable move.

A fifth-straight league loss against fellow strugglers Hull saw a despondent Villa slump into the relegation places. Tim Sherwood is the early 4/6 favourite to replace Lambert.

Manchester United have to be backed for the top four (Man Utd 3-1 Burnley)

Yet again Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils led a charmed life, with some of their defending against Burnley almost as calamitous as their manager’s press conference rant at Sam Allardyce prior to the match.

However, the Clarets couldn’t punish their hosts and with United continuing to pick up points aplenty without playing particularly well, the die looks cast that the 3/10 shots will make the top four come what may.

Now QPR have won away they can secure safety (Sunderland 0-2 QPR)

Not many punters would have been brave enough to pick a managerless QPR to grab their first away points of the season in style at the Stadium of Light adding credence to the R’s 1/1-rated chances of staying up.

Liverpool have the momentum in the top-four chasing pack (Liverpool 3-2 Spurs)

The Reds prevailed after a barnstormer at Anfield to extend their unbeaten run to nine league games with a vital victory over Tottenham, keeping the teams above them in check.

In this form Liverpool make a tantalising 9/2 punt for the Champions League spots.

Harry Kane will be an England player soon (Liverpool 3-2 Spurs)

Another game and yet another goal for the man Spurs claim as one of their own. There simply is no stopping the Hurricane and Roy Hodgson may face a public enquiry if Kane is not selected for the next England squad.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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