Manchester City maintains a one-point lead over Liverpool and more agony for Manchester United

The recent round of 2021/22 Premier League fixtures had massive implications on the standings – in terms of title race, race for survival and also the race to qualify for next year’s UEFA Champions League. Manchester City and Liverpool played out a 2-2 thriller to maintain the status quo at the top, whilst Tottenham Hotspur encashed on Manchester United and Arsenal’s defeats to strengthen their top-four chances.

Check out what happened the over the weekend in the Premier League:

Burnley 3-2 Everton

In a midweek fixture, two relegation-threatened teams, Burnley and Everton locked horns in what is popularly known as a ‘six-pointer.’ Nathan Collins’ goal got the Clarets a one-goal advantage in the 12th minute, which was cancelled out by Richarlison’s penalty only six minutes later.

The Brazilian striker converted another penalty in the 41st minute to make it 2-1 for the Toffees, but Sean Dyche’s men made an incredible comeback to win the game 3-2. Jay Rodriguez scored the equalizer in the 57th minute, whilst the winner was scored by Maxwell Cornet in the 85th minute.

Newcastle United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Newcastle United finally ended their three-match losing streak with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bruno Lage’s Wolves dominated lion’s share of the possession, but the best chances fell to Eddie Howe’s team.

After a goalless first half, the Magpies were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute and New Zealand striker Chris Wood made no mistake in tucking it home to secure three points for his team.

Everton 1-0 Manchester United

Everton played two fixtures this week and had contrasting fortunes. While they faced a defeat against prime relegation candidate Burnley, Frank Lampard’s men did the unthinkable by registering a 1-0 win over Manchester United.

As many would have predicted, Ralf Rangnick’s team enjoyed much of the ball but could not produce a great deal with it, while Everton delivered the killer blow in the 27th minute when Anthony Gordon’s strike took a deflection before finding the back of the net.

Watford 0-3 Leeds United

It will be safe to say that Leeds United are finally out of the grasp of relegation, as they extended their unbeaten streak to four matches with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Watford. Brazilian winger Raphinha opened the scoring for Jesse Marsch’s team in the 21st minute.

The scoreline remained 1-0 for a while as the Hornets had their share of chances of restoring parity. However, not being clinical enough came back to haunt Roy Hodgson’s team since goals from Rodrigo Moreno and Jack Harrison meant that the Peacocks had it easy in the last few minutes

Southampton 0-6 Chelsea

There are different ways of responding to a morale-drenching defeat in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final, but none will be as spectacular as Chelsea’s response. After losing 3-1 against Real Madrid, Thomas Tuchel’s men tore apart Southampton and secured a 6-0 triumph.

Marcos Alonso’s 8th-minute strike gave the Blues an early lead, while Mason Mount and Timo Werner also scored in the next fourteen minutes to make it 3-0. Kai Havertz’s 31st-minute strike made it 4-0 for the Blues in the first half itself, while second-half goals from Mount and Werner completed the demolition job.

Arsenal 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Arsenal fans might be feeling their nerves as the top four seem to be steadily slipping away from their grasp. After a 3-0 defeat against Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta’s men were handed a 2-1 loss by Brighton & Hove Albion.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for the Seagulls in the 28th minute, while Enock Mwepu made it 2-0 for Graham Potter’s team in the 66th minute. A sensational 89th-minute strike from Martin Odegaard rekindled the Gunners’ hopes, but it turned out to be nothing more than a mere consolation.

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur

While Arsenal keeps wasting their opportunities, North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are strengthening their place in the top four as they registered their fourth consecutive league win by handing Aston Villa a 4-0 drubbing.

Heung-min Son opened the scoring as early as the 3rd minute, while Juventus loanee Dejan Kulusevski made it 2-0 in the 50th minute. Son then added two more goals to his tally to complete his hat-trick and make the scoreline 4-0.

Leicester City 2-1 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace failed to encash on the momentum they had gained by beating Arsenal 3-0, as Leicester City handed them a 2-1 defeat. Ademola Look opened the scoring for the Foxes in the 39th minute.

The Eagles would have preferred to take the 1-0 scoreline to half-time but that was not to be, as Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall made it 2-0 in the 45th minute. Wilfred Zaha’s 65th-minute strike helped Patrick Vieira’s team reduce the deficit, but it ultimately had no significance on the outcome of the game.

Norwich City 2-0 Burnley

In yet another ‘six-point’ game between two relegation-threatened teams, Norwich City came up trumps against Burnley and secured a 2-0 win. Pierre Lees-Melou opened the scoring for Dean Smith’s team in the 9th minute.

The Clarets failed to capitalize on their chances as the Canaries struck once again in the 86th minute, with Teemu Pukki getting his name on the scoresheet this time around. While they still are occupying the last position in the standings, this defeat certainly will ignite hope in the Norwich City camp. 

Brentford 2-0 West Ham United

Like Arsenal, West Ham United’s chances of finishing in the top four now look slim as well, following their 2-0 defeat against Brentford. The first half did not produce any goals, but the second half was all about the Bees’ dominance.

French striker Bryan Mbuemo drew first blood for Thomas Frank’s team in the 48th minute, while English goal-machine Ivan Toney doubled the hosts’ lead sixteen minutes later. With this win, Brentford has leapfrogged Southampton to occupy 13th position.

Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool

There was hardly anything to separate Manchester City and Liverpool before the game and there is absolutely nothing to separate these two title contenders after the game, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate after enthralling 90 minutes that flew by.

The Cityzens drew first blood in the game, courtesy of a sublime Kevin de Bruyne strike in the 5th minute. Diogo Jota’s goal helped Liverpool restore parity in the 13th minute but Pep Guardiola’s team bounced back in the first half itself, as Gabriel Jesus outfoxed Brazilian teammate Alisson Becker in the 36th minute to make it 2-1. 

However, Jurgen Klopp’s side came from behind and drew level once again as Sadio Mane converted a Mohamed Salah through ball barely a minute into the second half. With this draw, the Reds remain a solitary point behind the defending champions, as the title race seems all set to go right down the wire.