Premier league is becoming intense with teams trying to battle out for both Europe’s places and to avoid relegation zone.
The day started with North London derby and ended with Merseyside derby featuring 7 games in total. Here we at the results and what it means to the context of the premier league season overall.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal
Harry Kane (56’,86’) Mesut Ozil(11’)
Dubbed as the blockbuster match of the weekend, the north London derby did stand to its expectations. Arsenal were very strong in the opening 20 minutes as Mesut Ozil scored a fine goal in the 11th minute, giving Gunners the much needed lead.
After the goal, Arsenal sat back as Spurs started to take control over the game. The much needed equalizer for Spurs was provided by the young sensation, Harry Kane in the 56th minute. However, Spurs and Kane had to wait till 86th minute to go on to clinch the much deserved victory.
Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea
Jores Okore(48’) Eden Hazard (8’) Ivanovic(66’)
Chelsea’s pursuit to regain premier league crown is on course as they clinched yet another victory. The victory however isn’t as convincing as they fought hard to earn their three points. In the initial minutes, Eden Hazard gave the lead to ‘The Blues’ which made life easy in the first half.
When the play resumed, Okore equalized with a header to the bottom left corner. Aston Villa made some resistance afterwards before Ivanovic eventually broke the dead lock and provided a much needed winner in the 66th minute.
Leicester 0-1 Crystal Palace
Joe Ledley (55’)
A tough game and a winner survive relegation for the time being, was the expectation from this game. Both teams were desperate for the 3 points and it did turn out to be an even contest. It was a rough game as it featured 5 players getting yellow cards.
The eventual winner came from a Ledley’s header in the second half from a heading pass of Brede Hangeland. The result meant that Leicester will be at the bottom of the table with 17 points from 24 games played.
Manchester City 1-1 Hull City
Milner(90+2’) Meyler(35’)
Manchester City’s hopes for retaining the premier league title might fade away further as they just managed to get a point from a relegation-threatened Hull City. Initially, David Meyler of Hull City gave a stunning lead in 35th minute. City then attacked wave after wave but couldn’t find the net in the regular time. However, they managed to earn a point thanks to an equalizer from Milner through a free kick in the 92nd minute. The deficit to catch up Chelsea stands at 7 points as of Match day 24.
QPR 0-1 Southampton
Sadion Mane(90+3’)
The game was expected to be a single sided affair as the saints were hoping for a Champions League spot and QPR is struggling to get away from relegation zone. However, it turned to be a blockbuster of a match with the winner coming in the dying moments of the game from Sadion Mane in 93rd minute. The saints are on their progress to clinch a spot in top 4.
Swansea 1-1 Sunderland
Ki Sueng-yueng(66) Defoe(42)
A mid-table clash in the middle of the season will be important for both the teams as to determine which team might end up in the top half and which team will end up in the bottom half. Both the teams played their hearts out but couldn’t clinch a victory and eventually shared a point each.
Initially, the visitors took the lead just before the break. Swansea attacked the opposition from the beginning of the second half making some impressive runs down the flanks. They did get rewarded for their equalizer in the 66th minute.
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
The 224th Merseyside derby could not provide a winner as they shared a point each. Liverpool were the clear dominant team in the first half and over the course of the game creating more chances. Both the teams defended well but they couldn’t break the deadlock.
Brendan Rodgers did try Sturridge in place of Coutinho in the second half but the dead lock was not broken. The result meant Liverpool is in the top half of the table where as Everton is in the bottom half of the table.