The current top four in the Premier League all won this weekend which is something of a rarity this season. Yet nothing about Matchday 24 felt at all predictable. Let us explain with your weekly round-up.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The champions initially claim top spot
Manchester City played host to Everton on Saturday afternoon to kick off this round of fixtures. Pep Guardiola’s side struggled in the opening 45 minutes and failed to land a single effort on goal. In fact, the reigning champions managed just three shots on target. Fortunately for them, two fell at the feet of Erling Haaland and the Premier League’s top scorer added two goals to his tally for the campaign.
The hosts had to wait until the 71st minute to break the deadlock and it was a fortunate goal given a scramble in the penalty area following a corner presented the prolific No. 9 with a fairly free shot at goal. But City won’t mind how it goes in, as long as it keeps going in. They are currently on one of their relentless runs and have now won 10 on the bounce.
This victory lifted them into top spot in the Premier League, though they were later displaced. They do, however, have a game in hand over their rivals. Win that and they’ll sit at the summit. By comparison, Everton remain in the relegation zone having played a game more than rivals Luton.
The Reds bounce back
All eyes were on Anfield on Saturday afternoon with both Manchester City and Arsenal fans keen to see how Liverpool would react to last weekend’s loss at the Emirates. They would’ve been fairly encouraged by the start Burnley made with Vincent Kompany’s side looking comfortable and confident in the early stages. A goal, a bullet header from Dara O’Hara 15 yards out, just before half-time cancelled out Diogo Jota’s earlier effort and the two teams went in level.
Jürgen Klopp made changes at the break and Liverpool ramped things up.
Luis Díaz scored early in the second half and Darwin Núñez then rounded things off with a header to give Liverpool a 3-1 win. The result lifted the Reds back into top spot while Burnley, who had some big chances at Anfield, are now joint-bottom. While Klopp’s side gave up more chances than they would’ve liked, they did carve out five big chances and finished with an Expected Goals haul of 2.86, it was a deserved three points.
Luton shocked by Sheffield United
This was a must-win game for Sheffield United whereas Luton Town could’ve treated it as a must-not-lose. Prior to this game, the Blades had been winless on their travels in the Premier League this term. Luton hadn’t been great at home, winning 11 points from 11 matches, but they would’ve headed into this match full of confidence.
They had been playing some decent football, scoring goals and picking up points. Sheffield United had been conceding lots of goals and losing games. It felt like a formality for the hosts.
However, two goals in six minutes towards the end of the first half gave Chris Wilder’s side a commanding lead and though the hosts halved the deficit early in the second half, the Blades added a vital third goal to kill the game off with 72 minutes on the clock.
Luton are still in a favourable position. They are a point clear of the drop zone with a game in hand over those in the bottom three, but the situation isn’t quite as cushy as it could’ve been for Rob Edwards’ men. Sheffield United are now level on points with Burnley. There’s still a lot for them to do to climb out of the relegation zone but this is a good start.
The Hammers hammered
Last season, Arsenal’s title challenge was derailed in back-to-back games against Liverpool and West Ham United. The Gunners have exorcised those demons this term, following up the 3-1 win over the Reds last weekend with a 6-0 victory against the Hammers on Sunday.
It was supposed to be a potential banana skin for Mikel Arteta’s side. Travelling to West Ham is never easy and David Moyes’ men had shocked Arsenal before the New Year with a 2-0 win.
The game was over before the half-time whistle though. The visitors went in 4-0 up at the break after a frenzied finish to the opening 45 minutes. The Gunners scored four goals in 13 minutes to stun the hosts.
Another two goals in the space of two minutes just after the hour mark added an exclamation point to proceedings. Arsenal ran riot here with one of the most dominant displays of the season.
The title race remains a three-horse one.
The Red Devils continue their resurgence
Manchester United have now made it three Premier League wins on the spin. The win also condemned Aston Villa to a third successive home defeat. Fortress Villa Park really does need rebuilding.
Rasmus Højlund continued his fine run of form by netting the opener. He’s now scored in five successive matches and has six in his last seven. The hosts looked to be the better side but couldn’t find a breakthrough until the 67th minute when Douglas Luiz levelled things up. A winner for Unai Emery’s men seemed more likely, they did finish the game with more efforts, big chances and a considerably higher Expected Goals total, but it was United who claimed all three points.
Scott McTominay, once again, was the match-winner for the Red Devils, coming off the bench to score his seventh of the season and his second in three. Erik ten Hag’s side are now just five points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa.
(Images from IMAGO)
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