EPL Matchweek 22: 5 things we learnt

The Premier League is a gift that keeps on giving. Even after 22 matchweeks, the drama and passion continue like we just got started.

Matchweek 22 of EPL action had everything — shock results, a goalkeeping masterclass, goalless draw, a red card, and a totally absorbing game at Wembley. This week has also marked the end of David Wagner's Huddersfield tenure.

Liverpool still sit on top of the league with a 4 point lead and have seen Manchester City chasing them viciously. Manchester United are level on points with Arsenal, while Huddersfield, Fulham, and Newcastle occupy the bottom three places.

Here's a look at 5 things we learned from matchweek 22 of EPL action:

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#1 David de Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world

The argument that surrounds the question of whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world has been around for many years and will likely continue for many more to come.

Fans, pundits and even players have been torn over this argument and that will likely continue. However, there should be no debate, argument or even a discussion as to whether David de Gea is the best goalkeeper in the world.

For a number of years, Manuel Neuer was considered by many as the best in the world and this culminated in him taking the third spot in the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or rankings. A spell of injuries and loss of form now made the top spot available for another player, and De Gea has grabbed it with both hands.

It is a common football cliché that great goalkeepers save their teams a lot of points, but De Gea quite literally won the game for United at Wembley with his amazing reflex saves.

The Spanish goalkeeper has been named United's player of the year four times in the last five years and has shrugged off his early-season struggles to re-establish his claim to the best goalkeeper in the world.

#2 The two-horse title race

Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham are not really in contention

For most of the season, Tottenham has drifted in and out of the title conversation. After City's dip in December, many PL fans and pundits started projecting a three horse race for the title.

However, any hopes for a Tottenham title challenge must have been dashed after an inspired David de Gea performance saw Spurs lose further ground on the top two.

The North London club are only five points behind Manchester City and nine points behind Liverpool but are closer to the pack chasing them than to the ones they are chasing.

With 16 rounds of matches still remaining, absolutely anything can happen in this crazy league. However, Spurs have serious injuries and squad depth issues that threaten the very notion of a PL challenge for the Lilywhites.

#3 The Golden Boot race may be as hot as the title challenge

Mohammed Salah became EPL joint top scorer after his match-winning penalty against Brighton

Mohammed Salah, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Harry Kane, Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Aguero have all been top or joint top scorers at one point or another this season.

Salah joined Aubameyang and Harry Kane as the joint top scorer in the league after his penalty against Brighton on Saturday. However, Hazard, Aguero, and Sterling are only a few goals behind and cannot be written off in the race for the Golden Boot.

Kane limped off in Tottenham's loss to Manchester United at Wembley, as his coach expressed injury concerns. A serious knock to the Spurs man will hamper his chances of winning his third Golden Boot.

And while the title race may just be a two-horse one, we are in for one of the most keenly contested Golden Boot races in recent memory.

#4 Arsenal vs Chelsea takes on even more significance

Next weekend's Arsenal vs Chelsea game has become all-important

A London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal is one of the most awaited games in the PL fixture list released at the beginning of the season.

With both sides fighting to get back into the UEFA Champions League via the top four and both also banking on the alternative route of the Europa league, fixtures between them become very significant.

Manchester United's resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has seen them catch up with Arsenal's point tally and close the gap to Chelsea to just six points.

An Arsenal loss to Chelsea and a Brighton win for Solksjaer's rampant United will see the Red Devils overtake the Gunners in the fifth position and remain six points behind the top four.

On the other hand, a Chelsea loss at the Emirates and a United win will see the latter remain on par with Arsenal pointwise and only three behind The Blues and the top four.

With the momentum Solksjaer's United have gathered, it must be a frightening proposition for both Maurizio Sarri and Unai Emery. This has added even more significance to next Saturday's derby at the Emirates.

#5 Tottenham may just be in trouble

Harry Kane injured in the closing minutes of the game against United

The North London outfit was considered in a three-horse race for the title. Their loss to United has left them just one point ahead of Chelsea and in dire need of numbers to replenish a vastly depleted squad.

Harry Kane limped off at the end of the game against United and this raised serious injury concern for the coaching staff. Tottenham have since announced that they await scan on Kane's injury that will occur after the swelling has subsided.

A serious injury to the Spurs captain may spell doom for the club as it coincides with Son Heung Min's exit for the AFC Asian Cup.

Moussa Sissoko's injury has also left Spurs threadbare in the central midfield. Moussa Dembele, Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama and Sissoko are all injured and this leaves Harry Winks as the only fit senior central midfielder.

With fixtures in all competitions still coming thick and fast, Tottenham may just be in trouble if they don't sign players this January.