Premier League MatchDay 27 brought another Manchester derby to our screens. As with any game week, it featured some shock results that bookmakers could not have predicted.
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NRTCās Oladipupo Mojeed brings us all the highlights and juicy details from Game Week 27.
Burnley 1-1 Arsenal
Burnley stopped Arsenal from grabbing maximum points which would have been a revenge of their 1-0 loss at the Emirate Stadium last year.
Adding to their stumbling block were woodwork, heroic Burnley defending and the video assistant referee (VAR).
The Gunners went up early in the game through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Granit Xhaka’s error ultimately cost the visitors.
Xhaka’s errant pass struck Chris Wood for a bizarre equaliser and there were no further goals in the game.
A fifth successive home draw takes15th-placed Burnley seven points clear of the Premier League bottom three, while Arsenal remain 10th.
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Sheffield United 0-2 Southampton
Southampton returned to winning ways after 10 Premier League matches.
James Ward-Prowse opened the score sheet from the penalty spot following Ethan Ampadu’s clumsy challenge on Nathan Tella. Che Adams’ spectacular strike later secured the points for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side at Bramall Lane.
Adams rifled a half-volley into the top corner four minutes into the second half, ending a run of 16 games without a goal in all competitions.
(Image: Southampton)
The Saints, who lost Danny Ings to injury early in the game, broke the deadlock when James Ward-Prowse sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way from the penalty spot .
Takumi Minamino could have added a third for Southampton but he fired wide from Ryan Bertrand’s low. Furthermore, Adams, Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong all went close late on.
Aston Villa 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Villa played out a goalless draw against Wolves in their West Midlands derby.
The hosts showed the ambition of winning with Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa both hitting the crossbar. But they faded after the break as Wolves sparked into life.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men who failed to create chances in the first half, later missed several gilt-edged chances that could have earned them all three points.
The result leaves Villa in the 9th spot on 40 points while Wolves remain 12th, five points further back.
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Leicester City
A late goal by Daniel Amartey secured maximum points for Leicester City to boost their bid for Champions League qualification.
The defender scored his first of the season when stooped low to head into an empty net after Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez failed to claim Marc Albrighton’s corner.
Kelechi Iheanacho had cancelled out Adam Lallana’s first Brighton goal.
The victory lifted Leicester above Manchester United into second, while extending their unbeaten away run to 10 league games.
Tottenham Hotspur 4 – 1 Crystal Palace
The good times are back at Tottenham, as they ran riot against Crystal Palace with a 4-1 walloping. Gareth Bale and Harry Kane continue their impressive form by scoring twice to inspire Tottenham to a third consecutive Premier League win.
On-loan Real Madrid forward, Bale opened the scoring with a tap-in from Kane’s cross. He also headed in a superb second from another assist from the England forward.
In between the goals, Christian Benteke drew Palace level with a fine header from their first effort on target courtesy of Luka Milivojevic’s cross.
Kane finally opened his account for the evening with a curling 20-yard effort into the top left corner. He then got his brace by dispatching Son Heung-min’s cut-back to register his 24th goal of the campaign in all competitions.
The result takes Tottenham to the sixth spot on the table. They are now just two points off a top-four place, with Palace remaining in 13th.
Manchester City 0 – 2 Manchester United
The Manchester derby is always one of the most anticipated matches of any season. Premier League MatchDay 27 was no different as both sides met at the Etihad. Many had predicted a City win, based on their present form and 11 point gap before the game.
But Pep Guardiola’s side was caged by the Red Devils in their own backyard. This a huge boost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players as they enhance their top-four chances.
United has now recorded 22 league away games unbeaten including 14 wins. They got through a penalty converted by Bruno Fernades inside a minute after Gabriel Jesus fouled the impressive Antony Martial.
Rodri almost equalized just after the break, but his shot glanced off the angle of post and bar.
United then sealed the win, which condemned City to their first loss since a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham on 21 November through Luke Shaw. The left-back led a counter-attack and exchanged passes with Marcus Rashford before beating Ederson with a low shot.
Liverpool 0-1 Fulham
Mario Lemina added to Liverpool’s misery as Fulham handed them their 6th straight home loss of the season. The midfielder got the all important goal on the stroke of half-time, after dispossessing Mohamed Salah.
The win – Fulham’s first at Anfield since 2012 – sees Scott Parker’s side draw level on 26 points with 17th-placed Brighton.
The champions are now struggling to finish in the top four after another dismal performance at home.
Enroute to winning the title last season by 18 points, Liverpool had gone 68 home league matches unbeaten before their current run started with a loss to Burnley in January. They are currently occupying the eighth spot on the table.
West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Newcastle United
Newcastle claimed an important point in Sunday’s goalless draw. They have been battling off-field rows and a mounting injury list.
A defeat would have drawn Steve Bruce’s men into the relegation zone and moved Fulham out after their impressive win at Anfield.
(Image: West Bromwich Albion)
The Tyneside club was able to get a point despite being without their three first-choice attacking players. The point lifts them above Brighton into 16th and puts them a point clear of the relegation zone.
West Brom’s releagtion battle continues as they lie 19th with 18 points from 28 games.
West Ham 2-0 Leeds United
Two first half goals were enough for David Moyes to get maximum points against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United at the London Stadium.
The Hammers continue their god run, recording a double over the newly promoted side. They climbed to fifth in the Premier League, two points behind Chelsea and they have a game in hand.
(Image: West Ham)
Jesse Lingard opened the scoring for the East London club from the penalty spot. His menacing run into the penalty area drew a foul from Luke Ayling. The English midfielder, who is on loan from Manchester United, converted the rebound after his spot-kick was saved by Illan Meslier.
Although Leeds found the net twice in a blistering opening spell, Tyler Roberts’ finish was ruled out for a marginal offside against Helder Costa, while Raphinha had run the ball out of play before crossing to Patrick Bamford.
The hosts got the second goal before half-time, when an unmarked Craig Dawson headed in Aaron Cresswell’s corner.
Leeds came out firing in the second half but were stopped by Lukasz Fabianski and the post on a number of occasions.
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Chelsea 2-0 Everton
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel continues his journey at the west London club without recording a loss since taking over from Frank Lampard.
The Blues played against an impressive Everton side that has pulled off many surprises this season.
Kai Havertz produced an impressive performance in a game that saw his shot turned in for an own goal by Ben Godfrey for the opener.
The German international later won a penalty, which Jorginho converted, to maintain Tuchel’s unbeaten record as Chelsea boss.
The win leaves Chelsea in the fourth spot and in the last qualifying spot for the Champions League.
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