The 23rd game week of the Premier League came on the back of a week of cup football action. After Manchester United sealed their spot in the League Cup finals against Southampton, both teams’ celebrations were cut short after their games ended in a draw and loss respectively.
In a week of surprising results, both Tottenham and Arsenal were unable to capitalise on Chelsea’s two dropped points and gave the league leaders a massive advantage with a nine-point lead. With only 15 game weeks of football left, it would take a stunning effort from any of the top 6 teams to displace Chelsea from the top of the table.
All of the bottom four teams picked up points this game week while defending Premier League champions are currently tied with relegation favourites Swansea City on 21 points. This happens only in the Premier League. All this and more as here are 10 things we learned from game week 23:
#1 Sam Allardyce finally delivers
Resilient, organised, aggressive and defensively’s sound – Crystal Palace was everything that you could expect from a Sam Allardyce team against Bournemouth. The Cherries have been a tricky side to play away from home, but Crystal Palace overcame this challenge with grit and determination.
On a rainy winter night at the Vitality Stadium, it was Crystal Palace’s calculated counter attacks that made the difference. Scott Dann and Cristian Benteke found the back of the net for the London outfit. The clean sheet, however, would please Sam Allardyce the most; expect more of the same from his team.
#2 Mazzari’s men are still as dangerous as ever
Ignore Watford at your own will. The Hornets have been on their worst run in the Premier League this season with a series of winless games, however, Watford shocked the rest of the league with a convincing 2-1 victory over Arsenal. Younes Kaboul had a brilliant game and would be pleased to score against Arsenal being a former Tottenham player.
A very unorganised defence from Arsenal allowed Capoue to exploit the space that led to the second goal from Troy Deeney, who manages to be in the right place at the right time more often than not. With this performance, Watford and their fans will hope that this could signify their return to form.
#3 Uninspiring Arsenal are not Premier League Champion quality
Never in the past has a team that is so inconsistent with their performances won the Premier League and perhaps never will. Arsenal’s inconsistency on the pitch is their own nemesis. Be it fatigue or out-of-form players, Arsene Wenger’s men certainly should have closed this game out in the first half, especially considering the sort of effort they put in the second half.
Mesut Ozil cannot be relied upon in the Premier League as most teams close him down and allow him no space to operate. This leaves the Gunners over dependent on Alexis Sanchez, one of the only few players in this team with the temperament to be a champion. Could this be the reality check that the Gunners need to regroup and get back on track?
#4 Chelsea are the biggest winners from this game week
A 1-1 draw against Liverpool would not be considered a bad result anyway, but after Arsenal and Tottenham dropped points, this result could well be considered equally as good as a victory. Roberto Firminio should be kicking himself for perhaps what could be a very important miss right after the second half started.
Both Liverpool and Chelsea deserved a point and Chelsea would especially be happy with the effort that N’Golo Kante put in. Cesc Fabregas also had a fine cameo while Diego Costa could be gutted after that missed penalty. Liverpool, on the other hand, will be thrilled that Sadio Mane is back.
#5 Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane will have a lot to offer Guardiola
Leroy Sane was perhaps the best signing of the summer for Manchester City as the former Bundesliga player has improved after every game that he has played in England. The winger was simply breathtaking against West Ham as he gave the Hammers’ defence a torrid time throughout the game.
While David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were at their best, Raheem Sterling and Yaya Toure had a fantastic game as well. Gabriel Jesus’ first league start will be one that the young striker would never forget and he could certainly live up to the promise. Guardiola would be glad his team got a clean sheet for the second game in a row.
#6 Leicester could really be relegated this season
The Premier League Champions could, after all, be staring at the Championship after yet another defeat in the Premier League. This time, however, a defeat was less of a shock as Burnley at Turf Moor is one of the toughest fixtures on the road.
Claudio Ranieri managed to retain most of his squad while he did make a few additions, however, it seems like the loss of N’Golo Kante has left a massive hole in the team, and even Mahrez and Vardy don’t look just as good anymore. The Foxes need a few wins, and quickly to get as far away from the relegation zone as possible.
#7 Jakupovic is the latest to frustrate Mourinho
Hull City have managed to frustrate Manchester United yet again. The Red Devils only edged out a win in the last minute away at Hull last time around and at home, and were frustrated yet again. Eldin Jakupovic, Hull City’s goalkeeper, had the game of his life, and helped the Tigers secure a point.
Paul Pogba had two fantastic efforts saved while Zlatan Ibrahimovic was unable to beat the Hull City shot stopper. This point could be vital in Hull City avoiding relegation this season as they are stuck at the 19th spot with only 15 games to go.
#8 Peter Crouch still has it in him
As it was once said about Thierry Henry upon his return to Arsenal – “He may be cast in bronze, but he is still capable of producing truly golden moments”. Peter Crouch at age of 36 certainly is still capable of producing golden moments as the striker hit his 100th goal in the Premier League, certainly a fantastic milestone.
Stoke City will now have to rely upon the striker after the sale of Bojan Krkic and Crouch certainly delivered. His goal helped the Potters seal a 1-1 draw over Everton. The robot may be a bit rusty, but it can certainly still drive the fans wild.
#9 Sunderland’s can defend for a whole game
If there was one thing that the pundits doubted about Sunderland, it is their ability to sit back and hold on for a whole game. Over the season, the only way Sunderland have picked up points is by scoring goals. The Black Cats have only had a total of three clean sheets this season.
Hence, the fact that they held a brilliant attacking team like Tottenham for 90 minutes will be very satisfying for David Moyes. However, with all their rivals picking up points, this point seems a bit of a bittersweet one.
#10 Paul Clement can save Swansea City
Since the arrival of Paul Clement, Swansea City has certainly turned things around. In their last two Premier League games, the Swans have picked up all six points on offer. After a stunning 3-2 victory over Liverpool, it is now Southampton that has fallen to the Welsh team.
Swansea took the lead in the first half, but it was Shane Long who levelled things early in the second half. Swansea’s hero was yet again Gylfi Sigurdsson, who scored the winning goal. Manager Paul Clement certainly knows a thing or two about winning after his stints as the assistant manager in Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
