Chelsea replaced Liverpool at the top of the table after match week twelve, thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
The Blues’ new 3-4-3 formation is beginning to blossom but they had to fight extremely hard for their victory at the Riverside Stadium with Diego Costa scoring the only goal of the game.
Liverpool failed to maintain top spot following a 0-0 draw at Southampton. The Reds are now second, although level on points with third placed Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side were the only other team, along with Chelsea, to win at the weekend as they beat Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Yaya Toure’s brace was enough to seal the three points, despite a scare midway through the second half when Connor Wickham rifled home for the Eagles. Toure, who has failed to feature this season due to a disagreement between his agent and Guardiola, gave his side the lead via a deflection off James Tomkins and then scored the winner with seven minutes left, tapping home from six yards from Kevin de Bruyne’s corner.
Arsenal required a last minute goal from Olivier Giroud to earn a point at Manchester United. Jose Mourinho’s side went ahead through Juan Mata but the Frenchman, having come off the bench, powerfully headed home to ensure the Gunners keep up their good start to the season.
The most entertaining game of the weekend came at White Hart Lane where Tottenham came back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 thanks to two late goals from Harry Kane. Premier League debutant Harry Winks cancelled out Michail Antonio’s first half effort, but Manuel Lanzini restored the visitor’s lead soon after. However, Kane scored in the 89th and 91st minutes to ensure Spurs continue their unbeaten start with a victory.
Sunderland earned their first win of the season prior to the international break, beating Bournemouth, and earned their second over the weekend. They emphatically defeated relegation rivals Hull City 3-0, with the impressive Victor Anichebe netting a brace after Jermain Defoe gave the Black Cats the lead.
Fellow relegation candidates Swansea City recorded just their second point under new boss Bob Bradley, drawing 1-1 with Everton. Bradley is yet to win since he succeeded Francesco Guidolin last month but saw his side go ahead at Goodison Park courtesy of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty, only for Seamus Coleman to head home with just a minute remaining.
The most surprising result of the weekend came at the Hawthorns where West Bromwich Albion thrashed Burnley 4-0. The impressive Matt Phillips opened the scoring before James Morrison and Darren Fletcher added further goals before half time. Salomon Rondon completed the scoring midway through the second half, condemning the Clarets to yet another away defeat. Sean Dyche’s side are still without an away goal from open play.
Bournemouth bounced back from defeat to Sunderland two weeks ago with a 1-0 victory away to Stoke City. On-loan Chelsea defender Nathan Ake netted the only goal of the game midway through the first half.
Meanwhile, Leicester’s domestic inconsistency continued as they lost to Watford. Etiene Capoue opened the scoring within the first forty seconds before Roberto Pereyra curled home twelve minutes later. Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty soon after but the Foxes failed to claw back a result.
