Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney stole the headlines in match week 22, becoming the Red Devils’ highest scorer in the club’s history.
His sensational free kick in second half added-time against Stoke City was the 250th of his United career, taking him above Bobby Charlton. However, the result for Jose Mourinho’s side was much more critical. They dropped points once again after falling behind at the Britannia Stadium courtesy of a Juan Mata own goal.
The Manchester club are now are now a remarkable 14 points behind league leaders Chelsea, who recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Hull City. Goals from Diego Costa and Gary Cahill settled a score line that could perhaps have been a couple more, although the strikes were overshadowed by an awful injury suffered by Tigers midfielder Ryan Mason. The England international clashed heads with fellow countryman Cahill and received eleven minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital. Hull confirmed later that evening that Mason had suffered a fractured skull but was in a stable condition.
The Blues are now a huge eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal, helped by points dropped by both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool were stunned by Swansea City who secured a 3-2 win at Anfield, largely aided by some poor defending from the hosts and a Fernando Llorente brace. Meanwhile, Spurs were forced to come from two-nil down to draw with Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp’s side have fallen to fourth after a poor run over the winter period while Spurs sit third.
Arsenal moved up to second thanks to a controversial 2-1 win against Burnley. Shkodran Mustafi, who has not been on the losing side in any of his 15 Premier League appearances so far, put the Gunners ahead, but Andre Gray thought he had stolen a point for the visitors with a 91st minute penalty. However, there were further twists as Arsenal were awarded a penalty of their own which Alexis Sanchez dispatched seven minutes into added-time.
Current Champions Leicester City were easily defeated by Southampton on Sunday. Goals from James Ward-Prowse, Jay Rodriguez and Dusan Tadic secured the 3-0 victory against a Foxes side that is amazingly still yet to win away from home in the league this season.
While Leicester slipped further towards the relegation zone, West Ham United’s 3-1 win against Middlesbrough edged them further away. Andy Carroll netted twice before Jonathan Calleri bagged his first goal in English football. Boro’s Cristhian Stuani had originally equalised for the hosts who seem in deep trouble, while manager Aitor Karanka shockingly attacked the club’s fans for creating a negative atmosphere during the game at the Riverside Stadium.
Watford recorded their third draw in five games when they drew 2-2 at Bournemouth. The Hornets twice led through goals from Christian Kabasele and Troy Deeney but were pegged back on both occasions courtesy of goals from Josh King and Benik Afobe.
West Bromwich Albion remain eighth despite yet another home victory against struggling Sunderland. Two fantastic finishes from Darren Fletcher and Chris Brunt sealed a 2-0 victory for Tony Pulis’ side. The Black Cats, who could be set to lose left-back Patrick van Aanholt to Palace this week, are now bottom after Swansea’s win at Liverpool.
Finally, a late Seamus Coleman goal was enough for Everton to overcome Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Sam Allardyce is still without a win in his five Premier League games in charge, although a good performance and a successful change of formation will give the Eagles hope, despite them dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season.
