West Ham United ensured the gap between Liverpool and Premier League leaders Chelsea remained intact as the Hammers held Jurgen Klopp’s side to a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
The hosts required a Divock Origi goal to equalise after Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio cancelled out Adam Lallana’s early strike. The result meant Chelsea are now six points clear of Liverpool after they beat West Bromwich Albion courtesy of a single goal from Diego Costa.
The Reds’ slip-up allowed Arsenal to jump a place above them into second. The Gunners came from behind to defeat Stoke City 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Charlie Adam gave the visitors a shock lead from the penalty spot, but Theo Walcott’s 100th goal in club football ensured the score was level at half-time. Second half goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi gave Arsene Wenger’s side all three points.
Match week 15 involved several sides in the bottom half facing each other. The biggest game at the bottom of the table saw Swansea City seal a memorable, as much as vital, 3-0 win over relegation rivals Sunderland. A Fernando Llorente brace and a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty gave Bob Bradley just his second win as Swans boss.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace needed a goal from Fraizer Campbell to secure a point against his former side, Hull City. Both sides have struggled for form this season and would have desired a victory, but Campbell’s goal meant the spoils were shared at the KCOM Stadium. Robert Snodgrass’ first-half dive stole the headlines as he netted the resulting penalty, only for Christian Benteke to score a penalty of his own soon after half time. The Eagles turned the game around through Wilfried Zaha’s sensational solo effort, but quick-fire goals from Adama Diamonde and Jake Livermore gave the hosts the ascendancy. One would be a fool for expecting the drama to end there, though, as substitute Campbell nodded home Zaha’s cross with just a minute of normal time remaining.
Burnley secured another vital home win as they defeated Bournemouth 3-2. Jeff Hendrick’s stunner and Stephen Ward’s first top flight goal for almost four years gave the Clarets a two-nil lead, only for Benik Afobe to halve the deficit in first half added time. George Boyd made the score line safe with fifteen minutes left although his side were offered a scare late on as Charlie Daniels netted in injury time for the visitors, however it proved to be too late for an inspired comeback.
Leicester City returned to winning ways following their dismal 5-0 defeat in the Champions League in midweek with a shock 4-2 victory against Manchester City. Jamie Vardy finally ended his goal drought with a hat-trick, his first for the club, while Islam Slimani added a fourth. The Citizens threatened a late comeback through Aleksandar Kolarov and Nolito but, like Bournemouth, it proved to be far too late.
Everton’s poor form continued as they were beaten 3-2 at Watford in Saturday’s early kick off. Stefano Okaka scored twice on his full debut for the Hornets and Sebastien Prodl headed home a third. Romelu Lukaku also scored twice for a Toffees side that are now without a win in five Premier League games.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester United as they earned their first league win at Old Trafford since September. They beat a below average Tottenham Hotspur side by the single goal.
Sofiane Boufal also scored his first goal in England’s top flight as his Southampton side beat Middlesbrough 1-0.
