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It was a superb set of midweek fixtures in the EPL. The games proved to be important at the top and bottom of the league. With Chelsea playing at home to Tottenham and Manchester United away at Selhurst Park, Arsenal knew that they would have to win at home to still be considered in the race for top four. Meanwhile, Southampton played Fulham at home and eventually, the Saints left the relegation zone.
Goals from Origi, Van Dijk and Mane made sure that Liverpool did not let their slender one-point lead slip. Sergio Aguero's second-half penalty ensured that Manchester City kept pace with the Reds. Arsenal put five past a hapless Bournemouth and the former remains fourth in the table rankings. Chelsea regained some confidence with their 2-0 victory over Spurs and an injury-ravaged United squad found themselves back to winning ways.
With 10 games to go, the battle for the title and top four is firing up. Arsenal and United are separated by only one point while Chelsea are still at sixth-placed with a game in hand. Here is a look at five things we learned from this midweek EPL action.
#1 City keep pace with Liverpool in the title
The last two seasons have not really produced any serious race for the title as Chelsea and City ran away with it. With 10 matches remaining in the last two seasons, the leaders have had at least an eight-point advantage on the second placed team.
This season, only one point separates Liverpool and City at the summit of the EPL and the Citizens look like they wouldn't let their title go easily. No team has been able to retain the EPL trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson's era as the United manager.
Liverpool have been jittery for a couple of games but they overcame their fears to put five past Watford. Mane and Van Dijk's braces coupled with a goal from Origi put the Reds in a commanding position going into the Merseyside derby this weekend. As for City, they needed a penalty to get past West Ham United and Sergio Aguero converted without mistake. The result allowed them to be in the race for the title.
#2 Tottenham are in the race for the top four
This season's title race has never been a three horse race. Only fans of the North London outfit have considered Spurs to be in contention for the title. The lack of investment in the summer and winter transfer windows has left the club quite short on options and having to stretch every mile to keep up with the title challenge all this while.
However, fatigue and injuries are now costing the Lilywhites. This has not been a great week for them. They lost to Burnley over the weekend and now, a 2-0 defeat in the hands of Chelsea. On Sunday, they would play in the North London Derby where both sides are equally eager to win all three points.
If Spurs lose that derby match, they will be only one point ahead of Arsenal. With United catching up, it is hard to say whether Tottenham will remain in the top four by the end of the season. In addition, they have tricky away games at the Etihad and Anfield coming up soon. For a team that was supposedly in a title race to not even make the top four will be calamitous for Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs have to regroup fast and salvage their season.
#3 Chelsea show much-needed grit
After the 6-0 demolition at Etihad stadium, it was clear that there was something not quite right at Chelsea. The now infamous Maurizio Sarri ball philosophy is a subject of disgust among Chelsea faithful and it has generated even less respect among rival fans.
The manager suddenly flipped a switch and his side started demonstrating more grit than guile. They managed to keep City from scoring throughout the. 120 minutes of the game in the Carabao Cup finals. Despite losing the final, the Blues overcame their London rivals, Tottenham, without much trouble.
Chelsea did not allow Spurs a single shot on target throughout the game. At no point of the game did it look like the Blues had lost control of the game plan with Sarri having everything sorted out. The Blues will still need a lot more grit as they face games against United and Liverpool. The perseverance in the team may be the difference between a spot in UEFA Europa League or the UEFA Champions League. If they were to miss out on the Champions League, it will almost be as good as waving goodbye to Sarri.
#4 Ozil proves his class again
The story of Emery's treatment of Mesut Ozil has been an interesting sub-plot to the manager's first season in charge. Recently, the German playmaker has been in and out of the starting eleven. His start against Bournemouth seemed surprising considering Iwobi's splendid performances in recent games.
The former German international proved his class once again as he contributed a goal and an assist to the eventual annihilation of the Cherries. Emery now faces a selection dilemma ahead of the North London Derby at Wembley as he seeks to accommodate all the best players.
The Arsenal number 10 displayed his skills and fans are eager to see him play against their North London rivals. The quality of the World Cup Winner has never been in doubt and a consistent run of form and quality should see him cement his place back in the starting eleven. Against Bournemouth, his class was on display for all to see and it proved that Arsenal has been missing his creativity.
While Ozil is certainly of no help in defence, he tries his extreme best to create chances for the Gunners and that is what they need to be in the top four.
#5 Golden boot race gets even hotter
Mohammed Salah, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and Sergio Aguero have all been top or joint top scorers at one point or another this season. It has been interesting to watch the EPL strikers battle it out to see who could earn the award.
Sergio Aguero has suddenly become the favourite for the much coveted individual award after his great scoring form. The Argentine sits top of the pile right now with 18 goals to his name. Salah (17), Aubameyang (16) and Kane (15) remain his closest challengers for the top prize. However, Mane, Hazard, Lacazette and Sterling are only a few goals behind and cannot be written off in the race for the Golden Boot.
Kane made a goal scoring return last weekend after recovering from his injury sustained during Tottenham's loss to Manchester United at Wembley. However, he was unable to add to his tally in the match against Chelsea. With Kane returning ahead of schedule, Aubameyang, Aguero and Salah all in great form, we are in for one of the most keenly contested Golden Boot races in recent years.
