Premier League winners and losers: Arsenal and United play game of the season

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal holds off Chris Smalling of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal holds off Chris Smalling of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Swansea City at Bet365 Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Swansea City at Bet365 Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Loser: Swansea

Swansea seem destined for relegation. After Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Stoke, they are also bottom of the table. Paul Clement’s job is in serious danger if he can’t correct the bevy of mistakes he’s made this season.

Swansea scored in the third minute of the game against Stoke but couldn’t keep the lead for long. The Potters scored twice in the span of four minutes late in the first half that eventually ended the Swans’ chances for three points. The opening goal was a beauty, if slightly fortuitous. Wilfried Bony re-opened his account with Swansea with a one-touch finish from a cross placed just inside the 18-yard box.

The Swans have been desperate for goals this season, and are tied for last place with Crystal Palace on eight goals in 15 games. Clement bought Bony in the waning moments of the transfer window to try and give life to their listless attack, but that has not paid off. In eight games since his transfer, the Ivorian striker has only produced one goal, the opener against Stoke.

Swansea are at the bottom of the Premier League for the first time this season. Palace have laid claim to that spot since the first weekend, but scraped and clawed their way out after Roy Hodgson took over. Palace are now in 18th place, albeit only one point above the Swans. Swansea desperately need to string together some points, but in order to do that, they need to score goals. That’s not happening recently. A change of manager isn’t always the answer, but a few more games like this and it may be the only solution.