When you thought COVID-19 would mean more games being postponed, but this week saw more games go ahead than any other week, with matches from week 17 and week 24 being given the all-clear.
Chelsea kicked off the week with a trip to the Amex stadium where they drew against Brighton, losing crucial points in the title race. Ziyech opened the scoreboard and put Chelsea ahead in the 28th minute, but Webster’s 60th minute header levelled the score and the game ended with both teams taking home a point each. Brighton extended their five-game unbeaten run, while Chelsea trail behind opponents Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table.
Spurs came from behind at stoppage time to beat Leicester in a nail-biting 3-2 game at the King Power Stadium.
The home side found the net first as Daka scored in the 24th minute. Kane equalised shortly after, and game was levelled at half time. Maddison then put Leicester ahead in the 76th minute, seemingly sealing their win. But substitute Bergwijn came off the bench to score two stoppage time winners to hand Spurs a hard-fought 3-2 away win.
Their taste of victory didn’t last long as they travelled to Stamford Bridge where Chelsea handed them a 2-0 defeat. After a goalless first half, it was Ziyech who came through again and opened the scoreboard in the 47th minute for Chelsea. Thiago Silva was quick to double their lead, and despite Spurs’ efforts to make a comeback, the game ended 2-0 to Tuchel’s side.
Chelsea stay third, ten points behind top spot and leaders Manchester City. Spurs drop to seventh with 36 points.
Manchester United travelled to Brentford to beat their opponents in a thrilling 3-1 game. A quiet first half from Manchester United saw Brentford pull through as the stronger side in the first 45 minutes, but Ragnick’s side came back on stronger as Elanga opened the scoreboard in the 55th minute. Greenwood and Rashford followed in-suit shortly after with help from Fernandes. Despite Brentford’s efforts to make a comeback in the last few minutes of the game, United proved victorious and the game ended 3-1 to Ragnick’s side.
Manchester United continued their winning streak after beating West Ham 1-0 at Old Trafford.
A goalless 90 minutes saw Manchester United potentially walking away from their home ground with only a point, despite both teams efforts to find the back of the net. It was substitute Rashford who pulled through for his team in stoppage time after a low cross from other substitute Cavani.
The crucial win saw Manchester United pull pass West Ham into fourth, and West Ham fall one point behind.
Manchester City ended their 12-game winning streak in the Premier League after a brilliant display from Southampton to hold the current leaders at a draw at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Kyle Walker-Peters scored his first Premier League goal and opened the scoreboard in the seventh minute, putting the Saints ahead early on. Manchester City couldn’t find the net in the first half, but Laporte’s header from De Bruyne’s free kick saw them level in the 65th minute. Despite their efforts to pull a last-minute winner, Pep’s side left the away stadium with a point, shortening their gap at the top with 57 points. Southampton stay 12th.
Liverpool saw the opportunity to close the gap between them and Manchester City as they travelled to Selhurst Park and beat Crystal Palace 3-1.
Van Dijk opened the scoreboard in eight minutes, and Oxlade-Chamberlain soon doubled the Reds’ lead in the 32nd minute. Crystal Palace hit back in the second half with a goal from Edouard in the 55th minute, but Liverpool sealed their away win when they were awarded a penalty, which Fabinho took to hand his team the crucial win they needed.
Liverpool sit on 48 points with a game in hand, nine points behind leaders Manchester City, while Crystal Palace stay 13th.
Other results:
Watford v Norwich - 0-3
Everton v Aston Villa - 0-1
Brentford v Wolves - 1-2
Leeds v Newcastle - 0-1
Leicester v Brighton - 1-1
Arsenal v Burnley - 0-0
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