Match Day 28 of the Barclays Premier League would come to an end in stunning fashion. The race at the top of the table is now even more congested given the results of the weekends fixture list. The BPL has always been known as a league where it is congested at the top, whereas most other leagues in Europe do not share that same quality – we will be heading into Match Day 29 with that reputation in tact. Here is the review of the weekend fixtures and what implications they have on the table.
Everton 1-0 West Ham United
Despite West Ham’s recent run of decent form, Everton put in a dominant shift at Goodison Park and were unlucky to not win by a larger margin. Despite their dominance (69% possession, 22 shots), it would not be till the 80th minute where second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku (who is just returning from a month out of action due to injury) would come off the bench and seal all three points for the Toffees.
Implications: Everton remain 6th in the table on 48 points, three points ahead of 7th place Manchester United and five points ahead of 8th place Newcastle United, whom they also have a game in head over. West Ham remains 10th in a very congested middle and bottom half of the table.
Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea continues to produce their title credentials under Jose Mourinho in a strong display at Craven Cottage. A treble from German international Andre Schurrle would see off their west London rivals and compound the problems their dreadful season. One must surely be questioning how a side as strong as Fulham are on paper are struggling to the levels at they are. If it is any consolation, at least John Heitinga netted in the later staged of the match to make the score-line less harsh on the eye.
Implications: Chelsea started the day on top of the table and they remain there after their 20-minute walk across town. They sit four points clear of both Liverpool and Arsenal but it will be noted that their six-point lead over Manchester City could dwindle to zero if City win both their matches in hand. After yet another poor result, Fulham shockingly remain bottom of the table with only ten matches left to turn their season around.
Hull City 1-4 Newcastle United
Newcastle’s excellent showing on the road at the KC Stadium was marred by manager Alan Pardew’s pathetic touchline performance, which saw him head-but a Hull City player. Pardew would later be fined 100,000 pounds and is lucky to keep his current posting. Despite his antics, his Magpies put in a strong shift and goals from Moussa Sissoko (2), Loic Remy and Vernon Anita would seal the three points. Curtis Davies scored just after half time to give Hull their consolation goal.
Implications: Newcastle’s win see’s them pad their position in 8th place to four points above 9th place Southampton as they keep their sights on a potential top-6 finish at seasons end. Hull missed the chance to swap places with West Ham in 10th and the result still see’s them only six points out of the drop zone.
Stoke City 1-0 Arsenal
Arsenal supporters new that a trip to Stoke was never easy – they were correct. Despite their impressive domestic campaign, Arsenal would fall at the ground where giants go to die (Stoke have now gotten results against Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester United and now Arsenal while at home). The match as surprisingly more even than perhaps expected but Stoke were the side that pressed on in what was a very physical match. Jonathan Walters bagged the games only goal after Laurent Koscielny handled the ball in the box.
Implications: The loss will no doubt dent Arsenal’s title hopes as they are now sitting 3rd in the table, level with Liverpool on points but behind on goal difference. The win see’s Stoke remain in 14th position in the table just six points above the relegation zone.
Southampton 0-3 Liverpool
Liverpool continue their impressive second season in the Brendan Rodgers era with a quality win during their south coast road trip. Soton are tough to breakdown at home and actually had the better run of play for the duration of proceedings but Liverpool would take their chances well in a very important match with title race implications. Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and captain Steven Gerrard would all find the back of the net for the Reds as their run of form is set to continue.
Implications: Liverpool have now climbed up to 2nd in the table, leapfrogging Arsenal on goal difference – it must be said that Pool cannot be counted out of the title race as they, unlike their rivals, do not have the distraction of European football. The loss see’s Southampton remain in 9th place, eight points clear of 10th and firmly in the top half of the table.
Aston Villa 4-1 Norwich City
Aston Villa finally put in a performance worthy of their home ground as they trashed Norwich at Villa Park. Norwich’s abysmally poor away record reared its ugly head in what must have been considered a must-win match for the Villains. Norwich did opening the scoring early on through Wes Hoolahan, however a first half onslaught from Villa would see Christian Benteke bag a brace, while Leandro Bacuna and a Sebastien Bassong own goal would seal the three points for the Villains before the half time whistle.
Implications: The result see’s Villa climb up the table to 11th as they try to put distance between themselves and the bottom three. They are now level on points with west Ham in 10th but are behind on goal difference. Norwich remain in 15th and still only four points off the drop zone and their place could fall further depending on results by West Brom and Crystal Palace as both have a game in hand.
Swansea City 1-1 Crystal Palace
No doubt the home support will feel hard done as they watched their Swansea side squander a valuable three points at home in this must win match for both sides. A first half goal by Jonathan De Guzman would see the swans comfortable in the first half, but a second half surge by Palace would eventually culminate in a Chico red-card after he brought down Glen Murray in the box. Murray converted the spot kick to level matters at 1-1. Palace remained in control of the match and could have gone on to take all three points, but the match would remain level till the final whistle.
Implications: Dropped points by the Swans see’s them fall one place further to 14th on 29 points and only five clear of the drop zone. Palace did well to earn a valuable point at a crucial time of the campaign which now gives them a three point cushion off the bottom three – they remain in 16th.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Cardiff City
Spurs boss Tim Sherwood will be happy with the full three points but not the score line as he would see his side win comfortably, though perhaps he would have expected one or two more goals. Roberto Soldado bagged the games only goal during the run of play (surprising for him), which he will hope to build upon in his first season in England after a very successful time in La Liga. Cardiff City are still transitioning under new manager and former Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but his appointment may be too little too late to inspire a late seasons surge to help the Welsh club avoid the drop.
Implications: Tottenham remain 5th now on 53 points with a bit of breathing room on both Everton and Manchester United as their push for European football next year remains on course. Cardiff City are sitting in 19th still after todays proceedings and it may take nothing short of otherworldly football to see them avoid relegation.
Up-coming fixtures for Match Day 29
West Bromwich v Manchester United
Cardiff City v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Norwich City v Stoke City
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
On Friday we will have our preview and predictions for you for Match day 29 – as always, have your say: Where do you think teams will end come the seasons conclusion? Who do you think will get relegated and who will take home the league time? You can reach out to us on our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WeAreHooligans – we look forward to hearing from you!