Chelsea, having been linked with strikers Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Edin Dzeko during the week put their recent goal-shy approach behind them to beat Brighton 4-0. Chelsea were 2-0 up within 5 minutes thanks to Eden Hazard and Willian and the Belgian went on to get a brace. The win sees Chelsea remain, surprisingly, unbeaten in the last 12 games.
Manchester City bounced back from last weekend’s defeat at Anfield by beating Newcastle United 3-1 at the Etihad. Leroy Sane sparkled, but it was another hat-trick from Sergio Aguero that did the damage. Jacob Murphy scored an excellent consolation for Newcastle United who slip further towards the relegation zone.
Arsenal, without Alexis Sanchez who was heading to Manchester to confirm his move to United with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way, tore into Crystal Palace from the first whistle and were leading 4-0 after 22 minutes. Arsene Wenger will hope the win sparks a revival in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Champions League places.
Manchester United beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor, courtesy of a fine finish from Anthony Martial.
Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton drew 1-1, Harry Kane equalising an own goal from Davinson Sanchez. The draw sees Tottenham two points off 4th place with Liverpool playing their game tonight.
Once again Oumar Niasse rescued a point for Everton, coming off the bench and scoring the equaliser against West Bromwich Albion. WBA had led through Jay Rodriguez until Theo Walcott headed back across goal for Niasse to level. The game will be remembered for James McCarthy’s horrific leg break in an accidental collision with Salomon Rondon who was visibly upset by what had happened.
Leicester City beat Watford 2-0 with Jamie Vardy scoring from the spot and Riyad Mahrez getting the second. The defeat was one too many for Marco Silva who was sacked after the game, the Watford board citing the unwanted attention from Everton earlier in the season as the catalyst. Watford moved quickly to appoint former Malaga boss Javi Gracia as his replacement.
Paul Lambert had a winning return to the dugout as Stoke City beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 in his first game back in the Premier League. Stoke were clearly organised, yet both goals retained an element of attacking flair that the Stoke squad are capable of producing.
West Ham United and Bournemouth drew 1-1 at the London Stadium meaning West Ham now sit in 11th, one point and one place above Bournemouth in 12th. Watford, 10th, have 26 points meaning the gap between Southampton, now 18th, and 10th place is a mere 4 points. Swansea City have a chance to draw level on points with WBA at the bottom if they can beat Liverpool this evening.