Gameweek 14 provided us with nothing short of entertainment and a whole lot of goals as we head into the busiest period of the season. Unstoppable Chelsea carried on their fine form by brushing aside fellow title contenders Manchester City, while Arsenal and Tottenham also secured convincing wins.
Liverpool and Manchester United stumbled on their visits, while some of the bottom teams are looking to find some form.
Here are the main talking points from an enthralling game week:
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#1 Chelsea outclass City to remain top
For the second week running Chelsea produced the biggest result of the week after they bulldozed their way past Manchester City at The Etihad. Despite going a goal down, the Blues came out a much-improved side in the second half and ultimately went on to score three goals.
Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard got their names on the scoresheet to cement Chelsea’s position at the top of the table. Antonio Conte’s team registered their eighth straight win in the league and are looking an unstoppable force.
A thoroughly entertaining game was marred by a horror show at the end of the game as a number of City players lost their cool. Sergio Aguero received his marching orders for a disastrous high foot challenge on David Luiz, while Fernandinho was also sent off for an altercation with Fabregas.
As it is Aguero’s second ban of the campaign the Argentine will be suspended for four games at least, while Fernandinho is likely to receive a three-match ban. Nicolas Otamendi will also miss City’s next game after picking up his fifth yellow of the season, leaving Pep Guardiola in a bit of a fix for next week.
#2 Five star performances from North London clubs
Tottenham cruised past struggling Swansea City in a 5-0 demolition at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen both scored two goals to give Spurs a much-needed win after a demoralising loss at Chelsea last week. Mauricio Pochettino’s side remained in fifth place, although they did close the gap to Manchester City to just three points.
Spurs’ north London rivals also netted five on the same night but the Gunners managed to do it away from home at West Ham. Alexis Sanchez scored a stunning hat-trick within the space of 14 minutes to ensure his team kept up the pace with Chelsea and Liverpool. Arsene Wenger’s team continue their unbeaten run after they suffered their only defeat on the opening week of the season.
#3 Palace and Sunderland climb with important wins
Crystal Palace ended their wretched run of six consecutive losses with a convincing 3-0 win against Southampton. Christian Benteke’s brace took him to seven league goals for the season, while the Eagles managed to move away from the drop zone. The win will serve as a big confidence booster for Alan Pardew’s team who also managed their first clean sheet of the season.
Sunderland have been enjoying a decent run of form of late after they won their third match in their last four games. David Moyes’ rejuvenated side saw the Champions Leicester City off in a 2-1 win at The Stadium of Light. Jermaine Defoe scored the winner, which was his fourth goal in his last five games. The Black Cats are only a point off safety and they will look to carry on their good form into the coming weeks.
#4 Liverpool break down at Bournemouth
Liverpool looked to be cruising to yet another comfortable victory when they went into the break with a two goal lead over Bournemouth. But Eddie Howe’s side showed belief and resilience as they fought from 3-1 down to go on to win 4-3. An outstanding second half of football saw the Reds beaten for only the second time this season, both coming away from home.
Jurgen Klopp will be infuriated with the way his team defended in the final 15 minutes of the game after they lost the opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea. Bournemouth will be ecstatic to grab all three points from the game, which sees them move into the top half of the table.
#5 Everton steal point off Manchester United
Sunday’s final fixture saw Manchester United travel to Everton in the hope of reigniting their season once again. The Red Devils have won only two of their previous 11 league games and only one of their last eight. Jose Mourinho’s side let a one-goal lead slip against Everton in the final few minutes of the game.
Former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s return to Merseyside proved to be costly for Man Utd as he came off the bench to concede a penalty with minutes to play. Leighton Baines made no mistake from the spot as the Toffees snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.
Also read: Jose Mourinho walks out of Everton post match press conference
Mourinho’s team are now 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea, while they are also nine points away from a top four spot. Everton have also extended their poor run and are now winless in their last four outings. Ronald Koeman’s side slipped further down the table, although they remain only a point behind United
Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea
Crystal Palace 3-0 Southampton
Stoke City 2-0 Burnley
Sunderland 2-1 Leicester City
Tottenham 5-0 Swansea City
West Brom 3-1 Watford
West Ham United 1-5 Arsenal
Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool
Everton 0-1 Manchester United
Middlesbrough TBC Hull City
