Late Anfield drama headlines Premier League talking points
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Watford host Chelsea tonight but the dust is settling as far as the Premier League’s weekend action is concerned.
The nine fixtures produced all sorts of twists and turns at both ends of the table.
Manchester City failed to win for only the fourth time this season, while just three points separate the teams in 11th and 19th.
Here’s the weekend run-down…
Penny for your thoughts, Jurgen
For the most part, Liverpool versus Tottenham Hotspur didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Mohamed Salah’s early strike looked to be the winner, but it all kicked off when Victor Wanyama unleashed a thunderbolt equaliser.
Spurs thought they’d won it when Harry Kane was awarded a dubious penalty. Was it offside? Was it a dive? But amazingly the England hotshot saw his effort saved by Lorus Karius.
Salah then looked to have stolen it with a mazy solo effort in stoppage time. Anfield roared but Spurs just wouldn’t be beaten.
Virgil van Dijk was judged to have kicked Erik Lamela, and this time Kane made no mistake. But again, was Lamela offside? Or was it a dive? It was another controversial call to bring an end to a thrilling final 15 minutes.
Burnley show their resolve against Pep
The opening game of the weekend saw Manchester City head to Burnley, where Danilo’s superb long-range effort appeared to have Pep Guardiola’s side marching to another three points.
But Raheem Sterling missed a golden chance in the second half to put the game to bed, tapping wide from within six yards.
And the Englishman was made to pay for that miss, as the Clarets bagged a deserved equaliser late on.
Kevin de Bruyne spoke of City feeling tired from the outset at Turf Moor. Is their intense pressing play starting to wear on the league leaders?
Rise of the Cherries
They lost four of their opening five games this season, but Bournemouth are flying now.
Eddie Howe’s men came from behind to beat Stoke City on Saturday, and go ninth in the table.
They’ve won four and drawn three of their last seven games, and that includes wins over Arsenal and Chelsea.
Bournemouth aren’t safe from relegation just yet, but with games versus Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Leicester City coming up, they could all-but wrap up their survival in the next few weeks.
Ramsey overshadows Arsenal’s superstars
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his Arsenal debut on Saturday night. The Gabon striker netted his first goal for the club too in a fine 5-1 win over Everton.
The game saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan make his home debut as well, and the Armenian massively impressed with a trio of assists.
But it was Aaron Ramsey who went home with the match ball. The hat-trick hero excelled with his late runs into the box, as Everton failed to pick him up.
There were major changes at Arsenal in January, but a fully-fit and on-form Ramsey is as crucial to their chances as any big-money signing. Next up is the north London derby.
Big wins for south coast duo
Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton fans will be feeling pretty chuffed this week.
The Seagulls were excellent in their 3-1 win over West Ham United.
It was their first win since Christmas, and only the fifth time they’ve netted more than twice in a Premier League game. Those three points could be vital come May.
And it’s a similar story at the Saints. Also short on goals, Southampton were clinical away at West Bromwich Albion to record their first league win since November.
Manuel Pellegrino’s men are now unbeaten in four, and they only play one of the top six in their next seven games. Expect the Saints revival to continue.
With just three points splitting Watford in 11th and Huddersfield Town in 19th, the fight to avoid the drop is bigger than ever.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
