The turn of the new year saw the top six edge further away from the rest of the Premier League as the gap between the top and bottom of the table grows larger. Here’s a round-up of match weeks 19 and 20 which saw in 2017.
MATCH WEEK 19
The midway point of the season was completed across three days, between Friday 30 December to New Year’s Day.
Hull City earned a vital point against Everton in the first game of the round, although will certainly feel that they should have won the game. Michael Dawson gave the Tigers the lead but David Marshall’s own goal levelled the scores before half time. Robert Snodgrass’ free kick appeared to have won the game for the hosts, only for Ross Barkley to head home the Toffees’ second equaliser of the game late on.
Liverpool increased the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table with a 1-0 victory against Manchester City. Georginio Wijnaldum scored the only goal of the game just eight minutes in. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte’s Blues were forced to come from behind and eventually beat Stoke City 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. Brazilian winger Willian’s brace was the pick of the action.
Swansea City’s woes worsened as they were condemned to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. The Cherries’ south coast rivals, Southampton – who are also struggling for form – were beaten 2-1 by West Bromwich Albion at home. Baggies forward Hal Robson-Kanu scored the winner with a late December Goal of the Month contender.
Middlesbrough almost earned a famous victory at Old Trafford, only for Manchester United to scored two late goals in a minute to turn the game on its head. Grant Leadbitter opened the scoring half way through the second half, but goals from Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba in the 85th and 86th minutes respectively increased their unbeaten run to ten games.
Andre Gray’s first Premier League hat trick saw Burnley thrash relegation rivals Sunderland 4-1 at Turf Moor. The strikers treble was followed by an Ashley Barnes penalty with Jermain Defoe adding a late consolation for the struggling Black Cats.
Islam Slimani scored the only goal of the game as current champions Leicester City beat West Ham United by a single goal to move further away from the relegation zone.
On Sunday, both North London sides earned vital wins that keep each in touch with the top two. Tottenham Hotspur overcame Watford 4-1, with Dele Alli and Harry Kane both bagging braces, while Olivier Giroud’s goal was one of the only true moments of magic in an otherwise dull game between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, which ended 2-0 in favour of the Gunners.
MATCH WEEK 20
The next round of fixtures began the very next day, with six games being played on Monday 2 January. It soon became evident that the quick turnaround of games was affecting most clubs, particular after a dull goalles draw between Middlesbrough and Leicester in the game’s early kick off.
The fatigue did result in a few high scoring games, with a theme of comical defending through. Everton surprisingly eased past Southampton 3-0, with all three goals from Leighton Baines, Enner Valencia and Romelu Lukaku coming in a late second half spell.
Sunderland earned an important point at home to Liverpool, coming back from a goal down each time. The Reds went ahead twice through Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane, only for Defoe to respond both times with two penalties.
West Brom came from behind at home to beat Hull 3-1. Snodgrass’ second goal in three days gave the visitors the lead, but Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt and James Morrison scored for the hosts to ensure what was eventually a comfortable win.
Both Manchester sides clinched important wins, although the Citizens were made to work hard for their three points against Burnley. Gael Clichy eventually opened the scoring before Sergio Aguero’s powerful finish doubled the lead. Former City Youth Cup-winning captain Ben Mee halved the deficit for the Clarets late on. The Red Devils then defeated West Ham later that day, with second half goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic securing a 2-0 win.
On Tuesday 3 January, Arsenal came from 3-0 down to clinch a draw against Bournemouth. Eddie Howe’s side had gone three-nil up prior to the hour mark, only for Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Lucas Perez to combine to complete a ‘Crystanbul’-esque comeback.
Meanwhile, Swansea recorded a surprising 2-1 win over Palace in front of new manager Paul Clement. Alfie Mawson’s first goal for the club put the Swans in front, only for Wilfried Zaha’s excellent finish to bring the score level. However, full-back Angel Rangel squeezed an effort under Wayne Hennessey to decrease the gap between the two sides to just a single point.
Stoke came back from two humbling defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea to beat Watford 2-0. Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch scored either side of half-time to earn Mark Hughes’ side their first win in six games.
Finally, Chelsea’s twelve-match winning run came to end as Spurs beat them 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Conte’s side could have gone eight points clear at the top having seen Liverpool drop points two days earlier, but conceded two goals of a very similar variety; Christian Eriksen crossing for the impressive Alli to head home.
