Everton 2-6 Spurs
Spurs in the title race
Tottenham demolished Everton in what was the best team performance by any team in the premier league this weekend. After progressing to the Champions League knockout stages, they have carried that momentum in defeating North London rivals Arsenal while this victory has moved them within two points of Man City. They are in red ht form away from home also, winning 8 of their 10 way games. This was a decisive victory in laying down a marker. Now they must back this performance up.
Man United 5-1 Cardiff City
United up the pace
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge of his first match as Man United interim coach. It could not have gone much better as they thrashed Cardiff City 5-1. United played more attacking football as their front three of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford all got on the scoresheet. It was the first time this season that United outran their opponents in the Premier League. They also made their highest number of forward passes in a game in the league this season. It is too early to judge Solskjaer’s reign but the signs are promising!!
Arsenal 3 – 1 Burnley
Kolasinac outstanding in wing back role
Arsenal defeated Burnley 3-1 in Saturday’s early kick off. The Gunners came in to this game after back to back defeats to Southampton in the league and Spurs in the Carabao Cup. They suffered further defnsive woe with Nacho Monreal limping off but the performance of Sead Kolasinac at left wing back is encouraging. He suffered when deployed in a back four against Wolves and since then Unai Emery has deployed a back three. He got an assist and played a key role in the second. Arsenal need him to stay fit amid their defensive crisis.
Arsenal responded to two defeats in a row to defeat Burnley. Photo via: http://www.arsenal.com
Huddersfield 1-3 Southampton
Hasenhuttl has got Saints scoring
Ralph Hassenhuttl has enjoyed an excellent start to life as Southampton manager. They have won consecutive premier league games for the first time since April 2017. The Saints have also scored 3 goals in consecutive games. Danny Ings, Charlie Austin and Michael Obafemi have all scored uder their new boss while Shane Long had a goal ruled out for offside against Arsenal. Their fans can now enjoy Christms outside the relegation zone.
Chelsea 0-1 Leicester City
Leicester enjoy the rub of the green
Crystal Palace defeating the reigning Premier League champions meant that Leicester’s victory against Chelsea was almost forgotten. The Foxes set up with a bank of four and a bank of five as they frustrated the Blues and Eden Hazard. It was their best result of the season but had Marcos Alonso’s injury time strike gone in instead of striking the post and rolling across goal, then they would have not gained the three points. Sometimes you earn your own luck and Leicester’s tigerish performance saw them grab all three points.
Crystal Palace 3 – 2 Man City
A Coming of Age Performance for Wan-Bisaka
Crystal Palace deserve immense praise for their shock victory against Man City. Roy Hodgson got his tactics spot on while Palace scored three goals from three shots on target as they were ruthless in front of goal. No player typified Palace’s grit and determination more than 21 year old right back Aaron Wan-Bisaka. The defender faced in form Leroy Sané but nullified the talented German while providing an outlet for the counter attack. He is far from the finished article but based on this performance, he has a bright future.
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