Arsenal stored their noses in entrance of Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League title race with one other spectacular away win.
Tottenham strengthened their top-four ambitions with a primary victory over Chelsea at their new stadium amid some extra VAR controversy, with the strain mounting on Graham Potter, whereas Liverpool stuttered once more.
Right here, the PA information company takes a have a look at 5 issues we realized from the weekend’s motion.
Metropolis reply however Arsenal march on
Manchester Metropolis ensured there could be no repeat of the stunning 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest final weekend, the place missed possibilities had been the important thing, as they cruised to a 4-1 win at Bournemouth, with the sport sealed with a 3-0 half-time lead. It was a superb response from Pep Guardiola’s facet however they had been unable to achieve any floor within the title race as Arsenal proceed to march on. Their little blip seems to be firmly behind them as they adopted up their late win at Aston Villa with one other midlands victory, this time at Leicester. It stored them two factors in entrance of Metropolis, with a sport in hand, and it’s a title battle that appears prefer it might go right down to the wire – with the April 26 conflict between the 2 getting larger and greater as every week passes.
Spurs pour distress on Chelsea
If Tottenham had been ever going to interrupt their duck in opposition to Chelsea at their new house then it was going to be now. Spurs had not even scored in opposition to their London rivals on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium however got here up in opposition to a Blues facet at a low ebb. Targets from Oliver Skipp and Harry Kane ensured Antonio Conte’s facet tightened their grip on the highest 4 whereas additionally making Chelsea’s scenario a complete lot worse. The strain is cranking up on Graham Potter, whose workforce have received simply one in all their final 11 matches. It might need been worse for the Blues had there not been extra VAR controversy. Referee Stuart Attwell gave Hakim Ziyech a pink card amid complicated scenes earlier than being suggested to examine the monitor, after which he overturned his resolution. It might have been the best resolution however the lack of communication at what was happening will increase extra questions.
Liverpool falter once more
Liverpool opened the door to Champions League qualification final weekend with a 2-0 win at Newcastle however they didn’t kick it by this weekend as they laboured to a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace. It accomplished a foul week for the Reds as any hopes of qualifying for the elite European competitors subsequent season by successful it regarded to have been extinguished after a 5-2 defeat to Actual Madrid within the final 16 first leg. Spurs’ win didn’t assist Liverpool as they’re now 9 factors off fourth, although do have two video games in hand. However they are going to desperately want to enhance on their Selhurst Park exhibiting if they’ve any hope of closing that hole.
4-star Hammers capitalise
For 71 minutes West Ham should have been pondering it was going to be a irritating afternoon as Nottingham Forest had been holding agency, however issues quickly turned of their favour. A four-goal blast within the area of 14 minutes earned their finest win of the season and moved them out of the underside three. It ended up being a good day for them as a lot of the groups round them had been crushed, and with their house kind choosing up in 2023 they are going to hope that the one approach is up.
Gracia will get new supervisor bounce
Javi Gracia’s first match answerable for Leeds couldn’t have been any larger as they welcomed Southampton, who had been taking part in for the primary time since appointing Ruben Selles till the tip of the season. It was the previous Watford boss who received the battle of the brand new managers due to Junior Firpo’s second-half purpose. It was United’s first win because the World Cup and moved them out of the underside three. For Saints, this was a poor follow-up to their landmark win over Chelsea final week and they’re sitting on the foot of the desk as an enthralling relegation battle ensues.
