The Premier League was welcomed back with open arms this past weekend, after taking a brief pause for the third round of the FA Cup. It was once again the same old story, as Liverpool increased their lead at the summit after Leicester City slipped up at home. Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero became the proud owner of two prestigious records on Sunday afternoon.
Tottenham Hotspur 0 X 1 Liverpool
The match of the weekend came from the New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening as Spurs looked to become only the second team this season to take points off Liverpool.
It was a typical Jose Mourinho setup from Spurs as they looked to contain the Reds before landing a punch of their own. It was a game with few big chances for either side, but the narrative would revolve around Liverpool being the one to take their golden chance.
Roberto Firmino scored the only goal of the game with eight minutes remaining before the break. He smartly turned inside the Spurs box before firing into the back of the net. The goal was the Brazillian’s seventh of the season in the league.
Mourinho was preying that his side would get a chance, and they did in the final moments of the match. A brilliant cross in by Serge Aurier was met by Giovani Lo Celso, but somehow he managed to put his effort wide of the Liverpool goal when it appeared harder to miss.
Liverpool are now 14-points clear of second-placed Manchester City, and it would seem only a matter of time before they are crowned champions.
Aston Villa 1 X 6 Manchester City
Sergio Aguero once again showed why he is one of the best strikers to have ever played in the Premier League at Villa Park on Sunday. The Argentinian scored a stunning hat-trick as the Citizens leap-frogged Leicester into the second spot.
Aguero’s hat-trick means that he has now scored 175 goals in the top-flight, which surpassed the tally recorded by Thierry Henry to make the City man the outright leading overseas scorer in the competition’s history. This was also his 12th hat-trick, which meant he has now overcome Alan Shearer’s long-standing record for the number of trebles.
Riyad Mahrez also scored twice in the big win, and there was one for Gabriel Jesus. The dominant City was unable to get the clean sheet, however, as Anwar El Ghazi scored from the spot gave the home fans something to cheer about on a miserable day for the club.
Leicester City 1 X 2 Southampton
Southampton’s excellent form continued at the King Power Stadium on Saturday as they made it a fourth win in five to climb to 12th in the Premier League standings.
Much of the talk in the build-up centered around the 9-0 scoreline that Leicester won by in the previous meeting. But, that never looked likely to happen again as Stuart Armstrong leveled the scores for the Saints before half time.
Dennis Praet had put the Foxes ahead after 14 minutes. However, Leicester was firmly second best on this afternoon, and Danny Ings scored a deserved winner for Southampton with ten minutes remaining.
Bournemouth 0 X 3 Watford
Eddie Howe’s nightmares continued on Sunday as Bournemouth were plunged deeper into a relegation fight with a dismal display at the Vitality against Watford.
The win moves Watford out of the bottom three for the first time since September, while Bournemouth are now sitting 19th in the table.
Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring for the Hornets, before Troy Deeney and Roberto Pereyra highlighted their dominance with goals in the final half an hour.
Manchester United 4 X 0 Norwich City
It was a day to remember for Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford as he celebrated his 200th appearance for the Red Devils by scoring a brace.
The Englishman scored either side of half time, before Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood scored to press home United’s dominance.
Chelsea 3 X 0 Burnley
Chelsea’s recent struggles at Stamford Bridge appear to be a sign of the past as they brushed aside Burnley on Saturday.
Jorginho opened the scoring for the Blues from the penalty spot, before Tammy Abraham doubled their lead before the break. Callum Hudson-Odoi then scored his first Premier League goal in the second period to make it three for Chelsea.
Crystal Palace 1 X 1 Arsenal
There was VAR drama at Selhurst Park on Saturday, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw red for a dangerously high challenge 30 minutes from time.
The Gabon international had few complaints when he was given his marching orders, but many felt the decision was harsh. Aubameyang had given the Gunners the lead earlier in the match before Jordan Ayew equalized for the Eagles ten minutes into the second half.
Sheffield United 1 X 0 West Ham United
VAR was once again the talking point after West Ham United had a late goal disallowed for a handball in the build-up. Robert Snodgrass believed that he had scored the equalizer deep into stoppage time before the referee disallowed the goal as replays showed that the ball hit Declan Rice’s hand before the pass was made.
The Blades would have breathed a sigh of relief as they were good value for all three points. Oli McBurnie scored the only goal of the game, which sees Sheffield United sitting pretty in the sixth spot in the Premier League standings.
Wolves 1 X 1 Newcastle United
Steve Bruce was missing 15 first-team players for their clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. However, he would have been pleased that they came away with a point from the Black Country.
Miguel Almiron scored his third goal in as many weeks to put the Magpies ahead before Leander Dendoncker equalized for the home side.
Everton 1 X 0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlo Ancelotti got the perfect response from his side after their miserable performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend.
The Toffees took all three points after a smart finish from Richarlison seven minutes before half time.
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