Weekend football grades: Alan Smith rates every team
Monday 25 April 2016 13:30, UK
Did your team live up to expectations at the weekend?
We asked former Arsenal and Leicester striker - and Sky Sports Now guest - Alan Smith to give each side a grade based on their 90-minute performance in the Premier League or FA Cup over the weekend.
So how did your team fare? Did they get an A+ or an F, or somewhere in between?
Read on to see how your team has been ranked, starting with the Premier League...
Premier League grades
Leicester - A+
What a performance. I thought it could be a bit nervy, but the early goal got them on the road and they didn't look back. It was a celebration of everything that's been good about them this season.
They didn't miss a beat despite Jamie Vardy's absence and it would have meant a lot to the squad because nobody wants to be called a one-man team. I don't think we ever thought they were, but Leonardo Ulloa and Jeff Schlupp came in and did brilliantly to replace Vardy's goals. A great day all round.
Man City - A
It looked very comfortable for City and with a Champions League match looming, they were effectively playing for places. Manuel Pellegrini played a strong side, although he left out Kevin De Bruyne. Kelechi Iheanacho once again showed us what a quality finisher he is. It was just the run-out they would have wanted ahead of the semi-final.
Chelsea - A
It was one of Chelsea's better performances this season. Cesc Fabregas was getting on the ball and kept them ticking over and he really ran the show at the Vitality Stadium. Eden Hazard got his first couple of goals in the league too, so Chelsea will be very pleased overall.
Southampton - A-
Shane Long has had a very good season. He's been a player in and out at a few clubs, but he's been important to Southampton this year, and he was again on Saturday. For Ronald Koeman, it was a good win, albeit over Aston Villa, and after the game he said they were far the better team. I don't think you can argue with that.
Newcastle - B+
They seem to have something going under Rafa Benitez, and it looks like a renewed spirit, with everybody working for each other. When you are two goals down at Anfield at half-time, you are thinking you've lost the match. But they got a goal and all of a sudden the belief seemed to flood through them. The equaliser came from an unlikely source in Jack Colback, but that 2-2 draw will feel like a win.
Sunderland - B+
I think it's a good point for Sunderland. They are nice and organised at the moment, but there wasn't much to the penalty shouts for either side. I don't think the Per Mertesacker one was a penalty and the DeAndre Yedlin one popped up off his body first. Those are always very difficult to call.
Bournemouth - B
Great credit to Bournemouth for getting into the position where this loss to Chelsea doesn't mean too much. They faced a Blues team that played well, and Bournemouth didn't really threaten to win at any point.
Liverpool - B-
It was a little bit of a check for Liverpool. You shouldn't throw away two-goal leads at home, but Newcastle are fighting for their lives. It was a bit of a come down after the high of the Merseyside derby, but they may have been looking ahead to the Europa League semi-final.
Arsenal - C
It was a flat attacking performance from the Gunners. It looked like the classic case where the players didn't have an edge to their game because the season is effectively finished for the club and as a result, you fail to get that intensity. They have to be careful in the race for the top four because if they don't perk up, they could get a nasty shock.
Stoke City - C
Mark Hughes was not happy with his team's input at the Etihad, but they aren't playing for too much now. As hard as you try as a manager, it's difficult to do sometimes when you're in the position Stoke find themselves in.
Swansea - C-
Ashley Williams is normally so reliable for Swansea and he knows he shot his team in the foot at the King Power. They were poor after the goal, though, and never really recovered. I don't think Kasper Schmeichel had anything to do in goal for Leicester.
Aston Villa - F
What's left to say about Villa? They managed two goals, which is actually better than they've managed in a lot of home games this season, but the F reflects their efforts over the season in general. The fans have just had enough, and it was Keystone Cops' defending at times. It was shocking to see.
FA Cup grades
Crystal Palace - A
It's good times for Palace and we've now got a repeat of the 1990 FA Cup final on our hands. They have had a few rough months since Christmas so it's pleasing for the team and their supporters. It will be a great occasion and they were the better side against Watford at Wembley.
Man Utd - B+
They didn't make the most of the first half and after the break it was a close game. United showed staying power, though, when Everton were pushing in the second half. And when you've got a player like Anthony Martial, he can be the difference.
Everton - B+
A poor first half in a big game at Wembley, but in the second they threw everything at it. They did well in the end and pushed United very hard but just got done by the late goal. It's a B+ for Roberto Martinez's side because it was better than they have been in recent times.
Watford - C
They were poor and failed to convince on the day. Odion Ighalo had a quiet game and they really need him firing to cause problems. To their credit, they did manage to peg Palace back, but in the end the better team won. It was a showpiece occasion and they didn't turn up.
