It was a real case of anything you can do, we can do too for the leading teams in the Premier League over the weekend.
Joint leaders Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all put four past their opponents but it was City that took top spot which was helped with their defence not conceding against West Bromwich Albion. A brace from Sergio Aguero got them on their way with Ilkay Gundogan getting in on the action with a late double for himself. The controversy of the game was another head to head moment for Spanish striker Nolito which he only received a yellow card for when a red would have been more appropriate.
Up at the Stadium of Light, Arsenal were making hard work of a poor Sunderland side. The Gunners ominously took the lead a little before twenty minutes had gone through Alexis Sanchez. They should have had the opportunity to double that lead after the Chilean striker was fouled in the area but the official waved away the pleas for a spot kick. The Black Cats raced up the other end and were awarded a penalty themselves after Petr Cech bought down the pacy Duncan Watmore. Veteran goal getter Jermain Defoe despatched the spot kick with aplomb to pull the hosts back level but two goals from substitute Olivier Giroud and another from Sanchez sealed the rout that the opening period of the game promised.
Despite a suspect defensive performance, Liverpool saw off Crystal Palace in the Saturday night game at Selhurst Park to join City and Arsenal at the Premier League summit. It was not made easy for the Reds though after taking the lead in South London courtesy of Emre Can. A mistake from Lovren soon after allowed James McArthur to level things up before the Croatian defender made amends with a goal of his own to give the visitors the lead once again. McArthur was the man to level the score once again but Joel Matip restored the lead for Klopp’s men right before the break in a pulsating match in an atmosphere to match. Sealing the three points was Roberto Firmino with a delightful chip over the goalkeeper to put the game out of reach for the battling Eagles.
A resurgent Chelsea side moved themselves into fourth place just a point behind the trio of leaders with an impressive 2-0 win on the South Coast. Goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were enough to see off Southampton. A draw between Tottenham Hotspur and defending champions Leicester City meant that the hosts dropped to fifth. A Vincent Janssen penalty right before half time gave Spurs the lead but Ahmed Musa equalised for the visitors soon after the restart.
Sixth placed Everton saw off West Ham United at Goodison Park 2-0 thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley while Watford quietly went about their business by moving up to seventh after a 1-0 win at home Hull City. The game was heading for a draw until defender Michael Dawson put through his own net to give the Hornets all three points.
A frustrating Manchester United performance at Old Trafford ensured an impressive point for Burnley who held off the multi-million pound array of talent at bay in a goalless draw. It was no thanks to England goalkeeper Tom Heaton who once again impressed potential suitors. The hosts had an incredible thirty-seven shots but their only reward for such endeavours were two yellow cards for midfielder Anders Herrera, even if the second was harsh.
Dropping to tenth place were Bournemouth after a 2-0 defeat at the Riverside. In what was the best goal of the weekend, Gaston Ramirez picked up the ball in his own half before going on a mazy run which ended up with the Uruguyan striker slotting past the keeper. Stepping up to seal the win for new boys Middlesbrough was former England international Stuart Downing.
Monday Night Football did not look to be an inspiring one when looking at the fixture list but struggling Stoke City and Swansea City put on an entertaining game at the Britannia. Wilfried Bony gave the Potters an early lead only for Wayne Routledge to level for the South Wales side but an own goal and a second for the former Swans striker secured the win for the hosts. The results moves Mark Hughes’ side up to twelfth in the table and leaves the visitors from Wales in trouble down in nineteenth.
LISTEN TO THE EXCELLENT ANFIELD INDEX FACE OFF PODCAST DISCUSSING THE EAGLES LOSS TO THE REDS.
