Raheem Sterling was the hero for Manchester City for the second game in a row as he netted a deep-into-injury-time winner at the Etihad Stadium against Southampton. Oriol Romeu had equalised Kevin de Bruyne’s opener as Southampton looked to be heading back to the South Coast with a valuable point. Sterling’s winner sees City move eight points clear of Manchester United once more.
United were in action on Tuesday night playing Marco Silva’s Watford. Ashley Young scored twice against his old club, the second being a fine free kick, and United ended up winning 4-2. With Sam Allardyce being confirmed as Everton’s next manager the best result of the week for Watford could well be retaining the services of Silva.
Arsenal continued their good run of form with a convincing 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield Town. Mesut Ozil sparkled as the Gunners moved four points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs had lost the night before, falling 2-1 away at Leicester City. Jamie Vardy scored his 100th league goal with a fine finish and Riyad Mahrez continued his own good form with a spectacular second. Tottenham have now lost their last three away games.
Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte both opted to rest many of their star players for their midweek matches. Liverpool started with Mo Salah and Philippe Coutinho on the bench at Stoke and still ran away 3-0 winners. Chelsea sneaked past Swansea City 1-0 thanks to a header from Antonio Rudiger in a match that saw Antonio Conte sent to the stands.
Sam Allardyce was at Goodison Park watching his new Everton side for the first time having spent the day agreeing an 18-month deal with the owners. David Unsworth will step aside with a 4-0 win over West Ham United to look back on as his reward for trying to steady the ship. Wayne Rooney rolled back the years with a hat-trick including a goal from inside his own half. Allardyce officially takes over today.
Another familiar face back in a managerial hotseat is Alan Pardew. He has been appointed Head Coach of West Bromwich Albion whom Gary Megson departs unbeaten. WBA were 2-0 up against Newcastle United but allowed their lead to slip, Newcastle scoring twice from set-pieces and getting a 2-2 draw.
Burnley continued their fine season with a 2-1 win away to Bournemouth and Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The midweek action means that City, United, Chelsea and Arsenal make up the top four with both Liverpool and Burnley ahead of Tottenham down in 7th. Palace, Swansea and West Ham make up the bottom three with WBA only one point above the relegation zone. Everton now sit five points from danger and with Big Sam back in the game will be very confident of a strong midtable finish.