EPL 2016/17: SK Turning point – 7 moments / performances from gameweek 25

Kieran-Gibbs-Lazar-Markovic.jpg
Kieran Gibbs should have seen red for his foul on Lazar Markovic

Arsenal returned to winning ways courtesy of some ‘handy’ refereeing and performances, beating an effervescent Hull City by two goals. Liverpool, on the other hand, saw off Tottenham Hotspur in a fairly one-sided game, while Manchester United and Southampton convincingly beat Watford and Sunderland respectively.

West Ham United shared points in a feisty encounter with West Brom while Burnley held table-toppers Chelsea to a stalemate at the Turf Moor. Stoke beat a tepid Crystal Palace side with a Joe Allen goal proving to be the differentiator as a resolute Middlesbrough held Everton to a goalless draw at the Riverside.

Defending champions Leicester, though, slumped to another defeat at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea City consolidated their position and chances of survival. Manchester City proved to be too strong on the offensive for a tame Bournemouth defence on Monday night.

In this article, we take a look at the best / worst performances, along with players and moments that proved to be turning points in their games.


#1 Best goal: Robbie Brady

Match: Burnley vs. Chelsea

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12:  Robbie Brady of Burnley celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor on February 12, 2017 in Burnley, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Robbie Brady celebrates scoring Burnley’s equaliser against Chelsea

Robbie Brady became the Clarets’ record signing in the January transfer window and wasted no time in scoring his first goal for the club on debut with one of the most spectacular free kicks taken in recent memory.

Nemanja Matic had given away a free-kick while trying to deal with the impressive Joey Barton and Burnley had a set piece opportunity from a position of promise. Step up debutante Brady!

The Irishman thundered a left-footed shot that nestled in the top corner, well away from the reach of Thibaut Courtois, earning Sean Dyche’s men a deserved point at the Turf Moor.

If there is a way to endear yourself to a new manager, teammates and fans, scoring against potential title winners to snatch a point must surely be one way of doing it.

Honourable mentions: Alfie Mawson (vs. Leicester City), Manuel Lanzini (vs. West Bromwich Albion), Sadio Mane (first goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur)

#2 Defensive bedrock: Michael Keane

Match: Burnley vs. Chelsea

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12:  Eden Hazard of Chelsea moves away from Michael Keane of Burnley during the Premier League match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor on February 12, 2017 in Burnley, England.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Keane warded off the threat from the tricky and talented Blues frontline

When the league leaders come calling, you can either buckle under pressure and succumb or stand up to the challenge and showcase what you have got.

On Sunday’s evidence, Burnley showed they are capable of effectively dealing with anyone on home soil and their charge was led by none other than the young defender Michael Keane.

The Englishman has been a solid constant in the Clarets’ backline and in line with his reputation, kept the attacking threat of the Blues at bay.

Diego Costa was largely neutralised and much credit for the same lies with Keane, who marshalled and shepherded the striker and ensured he did not get adequate service or space.

The defender’s masterful performance in keeping the Blues forward in check was a key factor that helped his side to eventually snatch a point against the league leaders.

Honourable mentions: Victor Valdes (vs. Everton), Alfie Mawson (vs. Leicester City), Simon Mignolet (vs. Tottenham Hotspur), Cesar Azpilicueta (vs. Burnley), Bruno Martins Indi (vs. Crystal Palace)

#3 Standout player: Sadio Mane

Match: Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Sadio Mane of Liverpool scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 11, 2017 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images for Tottenham Hotspur FC)
Sadio Mane scores Liverpool’s opening goal against Spurs despite stumbling in the box

Jurgen Klopp and the rest of his team constantly dismiss suggestions that Liverpool are a one-man team but what they cannot shrug off is his importance to the side. The African international’s absence during his representation of Senegal at the AFCON was keenly felt by a Reds side who failed to win a single league game in the meantime.

The speedy forward’s return immediately rejuvenated Liverpool and Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs were left to deal with the consequences.

Mane scored two goals and could have added two more to his tally on the night if not for some excellent goalkeeping by Hugo Lloris. Liverpool’s number 19 burst into a run, leaving Ben Davies for dead to score a sublime first goal, courtesy of some excellent pressing and exchanges in midfield. His second came after Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino had both been denied by Lloris and co. In the box; the rebound was placed into the far top corner, sending Anfield into thunderous applause.

In the second half, the former Saints man helped out teammates in midfield and his presence, pace and alertness ensured that Spurs were always on the defensive.

Honourable mentions: Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial (vs. Watford), Raheem Sterling and David Silva (vs. Bournemouth), Manolo Gabbiadini (vs. Sunderland), Joey Barton (vs. Chelsea), Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (vs. Hull City)

#4 Best team performance: Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11:  Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool hugs Jordan Henderson of Liverpool following victory during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 11, 2017 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp celebrates the Reds’ win with captain Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino

The Reds finally notched up their first (and long overdue) win in 2017, at Anfield on Saturday evening. The return of Sadio Mane to the starting line-up and the restoration of the rest of the attack to their favoured positions saw Jurgen Klopp’s men come up trumps against the Lilywhites.

The Senegalese international scored two goals in the span of three minutes, which proved to be the visitors’ undoing when the final whistle sounded. Pochettino’s men appeared slow and inept, simply not measuring up to the task at hand.

Mane linked well with his teammates and the Reds midfield functioned superbly to thwart any late Spurs attack. Lucas Leiva (of all people, yes!) was solid at centre-back partnering Joel Matip. With Liverpool’s backline not giving a sniff of an opportunity to the Londoners’ terrific frontline, the result was all but a formality in the end.

On the one occasion that Son did manage to find himself in a good position, the Reds goalkeeper denied him with a good save with his feet.

All in all an efficient team performance against fellow top four contenders, a good confidence boost ahead of the two-week break before the visit to the defending champions’ home.

Honourable mentions: Southampton, Burnley, Manchester United, Manchester City

#5 Worst / most ineffective player: Darren Randolph

Match: West Ham United vs. West Brom Albion

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Darren Randolph of West Ham United reacts during the Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at London Stadium on February 11, 2017 in Stratford, England.  (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Randolph could and should have done better for West Brom’s late equaliser

This was a tough call between Huth and Randolph; we go with Randolph because it was still in his control in the closing seconds of the game to see out a win.

Instead, the West Ham goalkeeper was involved in nudging and pushing Jonny Evans as Gareth McAuley rose to head home the equaliser for Tony Pulis’ side.

Earlier, after some controversial refereeing, Manuel Lanzini had scored in the 86th minute to give Slaven Bilic’s side a crucial lead.

Randolph, though, was left flapping in the air when the corner was delivered, from which the visitors levelled. Given the fact that it turned the tide in favour of the Baggies and earned them a point, the Irishman between the posts is our pick.

Honourable mentions: Robert Huth (vs. Swansea City), Ben Davies and the Spurs frontline (vs. Liverpool), Eldin Jakupovic (vs. Arsenal), Tyrone Mings (vs. Manchester City)

#6 Unlucky miss(es)

(a) Salomón Rondón (vs. West Ham United)

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Jose Salomon Rondon (C) of West Bromwich Albion competes against Winston Reid (L) and Robert Snodgrass (R) of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at London Stadium on February 11, 2017 in Stratford, England.  (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
Rondon duels for the ball with the West Ham defenders

A long ball was headed down into the path of Salomon Rondon nicely by Matt Phillips, who won a key aerial battle with two West Ham defenders. Rondon welcomed the opportunity with a lovely first touch before smashing it at goal – only to see it come hard off the post.

The South American’s strike was powerful but just a couple of inches from doubling the visitors’ lead, which could have written a different end to the story of the match.


(b) Leroy Sane (vs. Bournemouth)

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13:  Leroy Sane of Manchester City battles for the ball with Ryan Fraser of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on February 13, 2017 in Bournemouth, England.  (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Leroy Sane was a constant attacking outlet on City’s left flank

The Manchester City winger saw his shot come off the edge of the crossbar just a few minutes before the end of regular time.

Earlier, the Citizens’ number 19 was involved in a build-up play with Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling before the latter’s effort was blocked by Steve Cook. However, his headed clearance landed at the foot of Tyrone Mings, who was certainly having a bad day at work.

Mings dallied on the ball and was intercepted by Sane at the edge of the box and the German swiftly breezed past the Cherries defence to take a shot.

Unfortunately, though the keeper was well beaten, the hit ricocheted off the top of the bar.

#7 Controversial decisions

STRATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11:  Slaven Bilic, Manager of West Ham United gives instructions during the Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at London Stadium on February 11, 2017 in Stratford, England.  (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
An irate and temperamental Bilic was sent off to the stands towards the end of the game

(a) Mark Clattenburg’s officiating during Hull City’s visit to the Emirates left a lot to be desired in terms of refereeing standards and performance. The official failed to spot a handball – Alexis Sanchez’s goal came off his palm – and was later reported to have apologised to the Tigers players. However, the official referee panel concluding that it was a goal should count for something.

What must have certainly aggrieved Marco Silva and his men, though, is Clattenburg failing to send off Kieran Gibbs. The Arsenal defender blatantly fouled Lazar Markovic who was through on goal and if not for the illegal stoppage, would have found himself one on one vs. the goalkeeper. Was a clear goal-scoring opportunity thwarted? Well, the official let off Gibbs with just a yellow.

Harry Maguire’s cheeky foul and indulgence with Theo Walcott and Andrea Ranocchia’s tackle on Sanchez went unnoticed by the referee as well, who instead chose to book Walcott for dissent and Sanchez for diving.

(b) Sofiane Feghouli was fouled in the run up to West Brom’s opening goal and Slaven Bilic subsequently went wild in the dugout. The Croatian thought his team deserved a free kick but referee Michael Oliver had other plans.

Oliver later disallowed Feghouli’s goal as Michael Antonio was entangled with Ben Foster just before the goal was scored. It seemed a harsh call, considering Antonio did not interfere or attempt to play the ball (and Feghouli was definitely played on by an injured Dawson who lay sprawled in the box) but the assistant flagged it and the referee called it.

Slaven Bilic was sent to the stands in the dying moments of the game as he had thrown a pitch-side microphone to the ground, following the visitors’ last-gasp equaliser.

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Edited by Staff Editor