Chelsea were the biggest winners of Week 12 as they moved to the top of the English Premier League league for the first time this season. On the other hand, David Moyes’ Sunderland side, after grabbing back-to-back victories, moved out of the bottom of the ladder.
Manchester United and Arsenal played out an entertaining draw in the biggest match of the week, while Liverpool stumbled at Southampton. Now, let’s look at the biggest talking points from the matchweek.
#1 Chelsea and City claim vital wins
Chelsea continued their excellent run when they beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at The Riverside Stadium. Diego Costa struck the only goal of the game to help the Blues to a vital three points. The win also sent Antonio Conte’s side to the top of the league with 12 games played. Chelsea have now won all of their last six games without conceding a single goal.
Manchester City also claimed valuable three points when they visited Crystal Palace. Despite the home side managing to level the match at 1-1, Yaya Toure scored his second of the game to ensure victory for the Citizens. It was Toure’s first league appearance of the season and his first game since August. The Ivorian showed that he is not ready to be written off just yet, as he looks to regain the faith of Pep Guardiola.
The Sky Blues remained in the third position but are now level on points with Liverpool, after the Reds failed to get past Southampton in a 0-0 draw. Jurgen Klopp’s side ended a three-game winning run with much credit going to a resilient Southampton side. The Saints were rock solid at the back against a very attack minded Liverpool side, with their performance meriting a crucial point.
#2 Battle at Old Trafford
Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford ended with the Gunners stealing a point of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. The home side were undoubtedly the better of the two teams and even had the better chances. Juan Mata opened the scoring with a calm effort that breezed past Petr Cech.
The 34-year-old keeper was largely credited for keeping his side in the game and it paid off when Olivier Giroud came off the bench to head in the equaliser late in the encounter. It was the Frenchman’s third in as many games that kept Arsenal in the top four.
Jose Mourinho will feel unlucky that his side did not come away with all three points. They remain in sixth position; six points clear of a top four spot.
#3 Bournemouth and Watford stake claim on top half of the table
While there was not much movement in the top half of the table, Bournemouth managed to sneak past Southampton into ninth place, following their win over Stoke City. The Cherries fought hard and earned a point thanks to Nathan Ake’s first goal for the club. Eddie Howe’s side had lost their last two games in the league and the win at Stoke will serve as a much-needed confidence booster.
Watford also returned to winning ways after beating the Champions Leicester City 2-1. Etienne Capoue scored his first goal in seven games to open the scoring, while Roberto Pereyra unleashed a venomous effort only moments later to put the Hornets 2-0 up. Riyad Mahrez pulled one back with a penalty but it was not enough for the Foxes to end their recent slump.
#4 Unbeaten Spurs return to winning ways
Tottenham carried on their unbeaten run when West Ham visited White Hart Lane. Spurs came from behind on two occasions to go on to beat their London rivals. Harry Kane was once again the hero of the London derby when he scored two goals in the dying minutes of the game. It was Tottenham’s first win in five league games after they managed to draw their last four.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side still remain outside the top four, although they are now only a point behind North London rivals Arsenal.
Also Read: EPL 2016/17: 10 things we learned from Gameweek 12
#5 Sunderland starting to shine
After failing to win in their opening 10 games, Sunderland have now recorded back to back victories. The Black Cats put three past fellow relegation battlers Hull City at the Stadium of Light. Jermaine Defoe scored a third consecutive league goal while Victor Anichebe grabbed a brace to take his tally up to three goals for the season. It was the first time Sunderland moved up from the bottom of the table, as they look to move closer towards safety.
Swansea moved to the bottom of the table, even though they avoided defeat against Everton. The Swans went ahead thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty but conceded late on when Seamus Coleman’s looped header went in. Bob Bradley is still to register his first victory as Swansea manager and it will have to come quick if the Welsh outlet are to avoid a relegation scrap.
Here are the results from the match week:
Manchester United 1-1 ArsenalCrystal Palace 1-2 Manchester CityEverton 1-1 Swansea CitySouthampton 0-0 LiverpoolStoke City 0-1 BournemouthSunderland 3-0 Hull CityWatford 2-1 Leicester CityTottenham 3-2 West Ham UnitedMiddlesbrough 0-1 Chelsea
West Brom 4-0 Burnley
