Premier League continues into a packed section of the schedule. Leicester put on a dominating show against Man City, but how did the rest of the league fare?
20. Sunderland (LW: 18)
Following a Patrick van Aanholt through ball, Jermain Defoe had perhaps the best chance for the Black Cats, which he nevertheless swung through and shot past the goal. Sunderland’s defense lost track of Swansea forwards too often, and this could’ve been much worse than it was. Still, they have won two of their last four in league play, though Chelsea is visiting in the next game.
19. Hull (LW: 19)
In the muck at KC Stadium, Hull and Crystal Palace played an exceedingly entertaining game, matching each other tit for tat. Hull continues on with the league’s worst defense, a potentially fatal mark when fighting relegation.
18. Swansea (LW: 20)
Re-capturing his scoring touch has been a challenge for Fernando Llorente this season, but his brace was the exclamation point Bob Bradley’s side needed in the rain in Wales. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty was expertly taken, and he contributed an assist on one of Llorente’s goals as well.
17. Crystal Palace (LW: 15)
Following Wilfried Zaha’s goal, the Eagles very quickly conceded, and it seemed that momentum would not be their mistress. After they went down, however, substitute Frazier Campbell headed in an equalizer, putting the final stamp on a high-scoring day.
16. West Ham (LW: 17)
Darren Randolph made some spotty decisions – particularly on the Divock Origi goal – but the individual brilliance of Dmitri Payet and Michail Antonio bailed out the Hammers on a day when they likely should have claimed three points.
15. Middlesbrough (LW: 14)
Boro’s inconsistency continues, as no-show efforts from Cristhian Stuani and Adam Clayton reflected the troubling discord their team has displayed all season.
14. Leicester (LW: 16)
The Jamie Vardy party made its triumphant return to league play after an extended hiatus; his hat trick in the soaked King Power Stadium was of a last season vintage, and just about everything went right for the Lions otherwise.
13. Stoke (LW: 11)
Joe Allen’s tireless play ended up earning the Potters a penalty, upon which Charlie Adam was able to capitalize. Too many lapses in judgment and spells of ball-watching doomed Stoke on the day.
12. Bournemouth (LW: 10)
The Cherries put up a splendid fight, challenging through extra time, but could not deliver on an equalizer to save points. Still, Bournemouth is among the more surprisingly entertaining teams this season, typically good for a wonder goal or two in any given match, against any given opponent.
11. Burnley (LW: 13)
Jeff Hendrick corralled a sparkling pass and sent it flying for the first goal of the day, and Stephen Ward’s header made it look quickly out of reach just minutes later. Gary Boyd’s goal to the far post solidified the issue, though the Clarets let it get closer than they should have.
10. Watford (LW: 12)
Stefano Okaka made this game his with the brace, flicking one with his heel that should’ve belonged strictly in virtual reality. He and Sebastian Prodl added headers to catapult the Hornets into the European conversation.
9. West Brom (LW: 8)
Salomon Rondon and Chris Brunt each had excellent opportunities on goal in the first half, but Chelsea defensive breakdowns quickly recovered. Still, holding the league leaders to a single goal on the road shows a certain kind of mettle.
8. Everton (LW: 7)
Romelu Lukaku’s first, which he sent between the legs of Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes, was an expert display of precision, and he followed it up later with a clinical header. It proved to be too little, too late for the Toffees, however.
7. Southampton (LWÂ : 9)
The Saints had the better chances and certainly deserved this victory. A fantastic team effort in front of goal prevented a Cristhian Stuani breakthrough, and Sofiane Boufal’s curling strike was the cherry on top of their Sunday.
6. Manchester United (LW: 6)
United seemed to carry some momentum from their midweek Europa League win over Zorya into this tie. Henrikh Mkhitaryan had been knocking on the door for many of his league appearances this season and finally broke through for his first goal, a smashing effort into the top of the net which proved decisive.
5. Manchester City (LW: 5)
Typical of a Pep Guardiola side, City doesn’t strike anybody as the kind of side fit for sloppy conditions or grinding circumstances, and that held true on the road in the heavy rain. Aleksandar Kolarov had perhaps his best game of the season and was the Citizens’ best player, but even he could not salvage a point for his side.
4. Tottenham (LW: 3)
Spurs had the majority of possession and nearly as many shots as United, but it never felt like this one was within reach. Tottenham seems to never quite be able to break through against class opponents, and it will be interesting to see if missed opportunities come back to haunt them in the second half of the season.
3. Liverpool (LW: 4)
It looked like it would be easy work for the Reds after cohesive team play nabbed Adam Lallana an early goal. Liverpool had several excellent, team-based runs leading to chances and looked especially good in the second half, but Jurgen Klopp’s side could only equalize.
2. Arsenal (LW: 2)
Rarely will you find a cross better than the one Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave ahead of Mesut Ozil’s looping header. The Gunners remain in the position of chaser, which seems to suit them favorably heading into a tough stretch.
Next: Best Soccer Rivalries of All-Time
1. Chelsea (LW: 1)
A few deflections kept this one from becoming a blowout, but Diego Costa’s last curler inside the box proved to be enough for the Blues. Eden Hazard is in particularly inspired form of late.
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