Manchester City and Liverpool secure victories, Tottenham Hotspur joins top four
Both Manchester City and Liverpool secured all three points on Matchday 31 of the 2021-22 Premier League, as the title race now seems set to go down the wire. On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged arch-rivals Arsenal to join the top four, whilst Everton’s defeat against West Ham United has now made the Toffees one of the prime contenders for relegation.
Liverpool vs Watford
Liverpool extended their winning streak to ten matches with a 2-0 win over Watford. Portuguese attacker Digo Jota continued his impressive run of form as scored the opener for the Reds in the 22nd minute.
The match was completely dominated by Jurgen Klopp’s men but they could not double their lead until the 89th minute when Brazilian midfielder Fabinho converted a penalty. Liverpool remains in the second position with this win, whilst Watford is stationed in 18th place.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Norwich City
Norwich City finally ended their losing streak as they held Brighton & Hove Albion to a goalless stalemate at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls dominated possession and had 31 attempts, but they were not clinical as 27 of those attempts were not on target.
The turning point of the game arrived just before the half-hour mark when Sam Byram handled a cross to concede a penalty, but French striker Neal Maupay blasted his shot over the goal. The Canaries remain in last place despite the draw, while the hosts are in 13th position.
Burnley vs Manchester City
While Liverpool keeps on breathing down the necks of Manchester City, the league leaders did well to maintain their composure and secure their position in the standings with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Burnley.
Pep Guardiola’s men opened the scoring in the 5th minute, courtesy of a Kevin de Bruyne strike. Ilkay Gundogan doubled the Cityzens’ lead in the 25th minute, thereby hammering the last nail in the Clarets’ coffin.
Chelsea vs Brentford
Brentford stunned Chelsea with a 4-1 triumph
This match was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the weekend, as Brentford stunned the defending European champions, Chelsea, in their own backyard at Stamford Bridge, registering a 4-1 triumph.
It was the Blues who drew first blood, thanks to a majestic 48th-minute strike by Antonio Rudiger, but what followed was beyond unexpected. Vitaly Janelt equalized for the Bees in the 50th minute while Christian Eriksen got the visitors in the lead only four minutes later. Janelt found the back of the net once again in the 60th minute, whilst an 87th-minute Yoane Wissa goal acted as the cherry on top of the cake.
Leeds United vs Southampton
After three consecutive defeats, Southampton got back on track with a 1-1 stalemate against Leeds United. Jesse Marsch’s team struck first at home, as Jack Harrison netted his sixth league goal of the season in the 29th minute.
However, the Saints found an equalizer in the 49th minute when captain James Ward-Prowse’s sensational freekick went past the outstretched arms of the Leeds United custodian, Illan Meslier. With this draw, the Whites are now eight points clear of the drop zone.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s poor run of form continued as they lost their third consecutive Premier League fixture, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Jonny Otto opened the scoring for the Wolves in the 7th minute.
Bruno Lage’s team was provided with a gift when Ashley Young scored an own goal in the 36th minute. Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back for the Villans from the penalty spot in the 86th minute, but it turned out to be nothing more than a mere consolation.
Manchester United vs Leicester City
Inconsistent Manchester United failed to capitalize on the momentum they had gained by beating Tottenham Hotspur in their last Premier League clash, as Leicester City held them to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Following a goalless first half, the Foxes struck first in the second half when Kelechi Iheanacho’s header found the back of the net in the 63rd minute. Brazil international Fred equalized for the Red Devils only three minutes later, but Ralf Rangnick’s team failed to find a second goal.
West Ham United vs Everton
Alarm bells must have started ringing at Everton, for they now have lost five of their last six Premier League ties and are only three points ahead of the relegation zone. West Ham United handed the Toffees a 2-1 defeat on the weekend.
Aaron Cresswell opened the scoring for the Hammers in the 32nd minute, but Mason Holgate’s goal got Frank Lampard’s team back in the game in the 53rd minute. However, Everton’s joy did not last long as a Jarrod Bowen strike in the 58th minute got the hosts in the lead again, whilst Michael Keane getting red-carded only seven minutes later meant the battle was all but over for the visitors.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur ventured into the top four with a 5-1 win over Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur registered their third consecutive Premier League win by handing Newcastle United a 5-1 drubbing. The Magpies struck first through a 39th-minute goal from Fabian Schar, but Ben Davies equalized four minutes later to take a scoreline of 1-1 to half-time.
The second half was all about Spurs’ dominance. Antonio Conte’s men took the lead only three minutes after the resumption through a Matt Doherty goal, whilst Heung-min Son made it 3-1 in the 54th minute. Later on, Emerson Royal and Steven Bergwijn also got their names on the scoresheet to take Spurs to fourth place.
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Besides Chelsea’s defeat, Arsenal’s 3-0 loss in the London Derby against Crystal Palace also came as a major shock to many. Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring for the Eagles in the 16th minute.
Patrick Viera’s team did not wait long for the second goal as Jordan Ayew scored from a counterattack in the 24th minute. The demolition was completed in the 74th minute when Wilfred Zaha tucked home a penalty. With this defeat, Arsenal has been demoted from the top four.