Another exciting set of fixtures enthralled the supporters of the Premier League with many exciting matches that were on show this gameweek. Chelsea's win over Hull City proved one fact that with an eight-point lead over their rivals, it is their title to lose. Liverpool's title hopes suffered a brutal blow as they suffered a 3-2 defeat against a struggling Swansea side.
Meanwhile, late drama at the Emirates saw two penalties scored in stoppage time with the result going in Arsenal's way at the end. Spurs and City, on the other hand, played out an entertaining draw with both sides having chances to nick a winner.
Crystal Palace are in the relegation zone as a result of a 1-0 loss to Everton at home while Swansea climbed out of the bottom three with a win over the Reds. Leicester are dangerously close to the bottom sides as the Champions sit in 15th spot after they lost out 3-0 to Southampton. This weekend's fixtures were again marred by poor referee decisions. Let's take a look at the ten things that we learned in gameweek 22:
#1 Ryan Mason's injury puts everything into perspective
Despite Chelsea going eight points clear at the top and Diego Costa returning to the starting lineup in style with a well-timed goal, it was the horrible injury suffered by midfielder Ryan Mason that caught all the attention. He suffered a clash of heads with Gary Cahill which saw him being stretchered off with the signals from Hull's medical staff not looking good at that time. It was later revealed that Mason suffered a fractured skull.
All the attention was fixated at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington as Mason underwent a surgery on his skull. Hull later released an official statement saying Mason was in stable condition after the surgery as well wishes poured in for the central midfielder. His injury took away the shine from Chelsea's win as an injury of that magnitude makes all the other aspects of a football game meaningless.
#2 Burnley robbed off a point against Arsenal
A dramatic stoppage which saw a penalty won by Burnley which equalised the game for the Clarets and was followed by a meltdown from Arsene Wenger. He was sent off and later pushed fourth official, Anthony Taylor which will see him facing a potential ban by the FA. Arsenal won a free kick deep into extra time and won a penalty as Laurent Koscielny was fouled inside the box.
Replays showed that Koscielny was clear offside when Sanchez delivered the set piece which proved to be the final turning point in the game. Burnley manager Sean Dyche was rightly disappointed with his side's loss as he called for better officiating from the referees. Earlier, Shkodran Mustafi had given Arsenal the lead before Granit Xhaka was sent off for a reckless two-footed lunge which was his third red card of the season.
#3 Spurs lucky to escape with a point against Manchester City
Pep Guardiola had his team pumped up after a 4-0 beating at the hands of Everton and City replied in great style as they completely dominated the first half but had nothing to show for it. As it has been the case this season for City. The hosts were so dominant in the first half that Spurs had only one touch in the opponent's penalty area while City had 28. Pep's men surged a 2-0 lead thanks to two howlers from Hugo Lloris as surprisingly, Claudio Bravo was not the worst keeper on the field.
When the score was 2-1 with Heung Min Son reducing the deficit, Sterling had clear-cut chances before being blatantly pushed by Kyle Walker. It should have been a penalty and a subsequent red card for the fullback but shockingly, the referee did not give anything. Guardiola was enraged on the touchline but a minute later, Spurs equalised through Son as the Lilywhites snatched a point from City thanks to some brilliant second-half attacking display and some help from the referee.
#4 Nothing going Liverpool's way in 2017
Jurgen Klopp's flying Reds have been brought back to ground this new year as Liverpool have won just one out of their last six games. They have not won a league game in January with their solitary win coming against League one side, Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and that too in a replay. Sadio Mane is being awfully missed but the problem has not been the attacking area but the defensive side, which ironically took a beating at the hands of a side that has the worst defensive record in the league this season.
Swansea climbed out of the bottom three as a result of their win over Liverpool while the Reds are now fourth in the table, ten points behind leaders, Chelsea. With the return of Joel Matip to the Liverpool side, hopes of a comeback from the Reds is on the horizon with the Merseyside club looking a different unit with Matip in their ranks.
#5 Wayne Rooney's reaction to his record-breaking goal showed why he reached that milestone
It was a stunning goal which way Rooney break Sir Bobby Charlton's record and reach 250 goals with Manchester United. One of the best the Manchester United captain has scored in recent seasons. The best thing about the goal was not the vision and the exemplary finish but Rooney's reaction that followed it. United were 1-0 behind when Rooney scored that goal and there was no over the top reaction from him despite the goal snatching a point from the Potters or the fact that it was his 250th goal.
He rallied his teammates to get the back and try for a winner in the last two minutes rather than celebrating his record-breaking goals. They don't make players like these anymore as 'Wazza' showed elite mentality on the occasion.
#6 Crystal Palace not making any progress under Sam Allardyce
Allardyce was brought in at Selhurst Park to steady the sinking ship and bring them out of the relegation battle. However, he has failed to do so and Swansea's win at Anfield, it pushed the Eagles into the bottom three.
Allardyce's forte has been his well-drilled defensive backline which has not been evident till now in his spell with Palace. The former England manager has to bring in some reinforcements to bolster his defence with Palace having kept just two clean sheets in the Premier League this season.
#7 Andy Carroll helps West Ham to get over Dimitri Payet
It is now two weeks since Payet decided not to play for the Hammers again and demanded a move away from the Olympics stadium. It received vehement criticism from all corners as the decision from their talisman left the Hammers in despair.
In amongst all the doom and gloom, a certain Andy Carroll decided to step up as he scored a brace against Middleborough to take West Ham into the top half of the table and announced himself as the new Hammers main man. The England international had also scored a sensational bicycle kick against Crystal Palace with these wins helping the supporters to forget the shocker from Payet.
#8 Leicester's away game troubles continue
Leicester City suffered yet another defeat and it was a humble beating at the hands of Southampton as the Saints beat them 3-0 at the St Mary's Stadium. It was the champions' 11th away game without a win as the Foxes have struggled on the road this time around. This leaves them 15th on the league table whilst having to face a tricky away tie to Derby in the FA Cup.
The Foxes also are expected to bow out of the Champions League with their Round of 16 clash set against Spanish powerhouse Seville who look formidable as ever. With four away trips in the next five games for Leicester, the defending champions are in for a tough run to safety this season.
#9 Two out of favour English midfielders impress at the Vitality stadium
Jack Wilshere has been given a new lease of life thanks to his loan spell with Bournemouth with the Arsenal player proving his worth with each passing game. He was brilliant against Watford as he provided an assist for Ryan Fraser and also had a couple of decent chances for himself.
Another midfielder impressed for the away side, was the on-loan midfielder from Everton, Tom Cleverley, who made his debut for his boyhood club and impressed at the centre of the park. He imposed himself on the game and also provided the assist to Troy Deeney who levelled the proceedings when the match ended all square at two goals a piece.
#10 David Moyes cannot stop Sunderland from going down
David Moyes was expected to change the fortunes at Wearside but is failing to live up to the expectations with each passing week. The Black Cats were handsomely beaten 2-0 by West Bromwich Albion who are now in the top 10 of the Premier League.
Moyes has not done anything critical but has not received much help from the owner, Ellis Short. He was promised funds in January but has been denied permission to sign players that the manager need. Sunderland currently have eight players injured and three more plying their trade at the African Cup of Nations.
In this scenario, it is next to impossible to churn out results in a league as competitive as the Premier League without investments.
