Chelsea extends their lead at the top of the table with a win over Aston Villa. Now the Barclays Premier League leaders are seven points ahead of the current champions, but the Blues’ boss Jose Mourinho has iterated that a seven point lead is nothing and the title race is far from over.
On Saturday, Manchester City were stopped in their tracks by Steve Bruce’s Hull City. City recorded their seventh draw of the season and the score at the end of the match was 1 – 1. James Milner’s perfect free kick in the injury time salvaged a point for the Citizens. With Champions League round of 16 fast approaching, City need to pick themselves up if they are looking forward to winning a silverware this season. Pellegrini’s men will play host to Barcelona on Feb 18th as the European elites return for the knock out stages.
Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United did very well to contain Manchester United on Sunday. The Manchester giants lacked luster and Hammers were the better side in the first half at Upton Park. Daley Blind managed to steal a point for his side by scoring the equalizer in the dying minutes of the game. United have yet again swapped the position on the Premier League table with the Saints. Southampton picked up three points after a win over QPR, courtesy of Mane’s goal. They are now four points behind the second placed, Manchester City.
The two most awaited matches of this weekend were the North London and Merseyside derbies. Liverpool had to settle with a point as Roberto Martinez’s side held them to a goalless draw. The introduction of Daniel Sturridge also didn’t help the cause of Brendan Rodgers’ side. Three out of last four meetings between these two sides have ended in a stalemate. It was also Steven Gerrard’s last derby outing in a Liverpool shirt. Liverpool certainly cannot manage to drop more points as the race for the top four is getting fiercer every week. Speaking of top four, Arsenal suffered a blow at the hands of their arch rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs. Harry Kane, the most prolific striker in the Premier League this season, came to his side’s rescue. The Gunners went ahead in the 11th minute with the German playmaker, Mesut Ozil getting on the score sheet. But they say Kane scores when he wants and he scored two at the White Hart Lane, one in the 56th minute and the other just four minutes before the end of normal time. The opposition boss, Arsene Wenger has tipped Roy Hodgson to call up the young striker and give him the opportunity to play for the Three Lions.
Leicester City, who are at the foot of the table, lost their home league game against Crystal Palace and yesterday reports of Nigel Pearson’s sacking came to the surface but the club have come out and denied the rumors. Swansea City picked up a point against Sunderland at the Liberty Stadium and the final score was 1 – 1. Newcastle and Stoke City also got the same result this weekend, with Colback and Peter Crouch getting a goal each.
Last but not the least, Burnley gave away a two goal lead as Tony Pulis’ West Brom claimed a draw at fellow Premier League strugglers. The West Brom manager took two bold decisions as he gave the captain’s armband to the former Manchester United midfielder, Darren Fletcher. Also, Saido Berahino was benched by the boss, after the striker’s interview and wish to move away from the club.
Game Week 25 will be played in the midweek because of the FA Cup fifth round matches scheduled at the weekend.