Liverpool were the only side in the top five to get all three points this weekend, as they defeated struggling West Ham 4-1 at Anfield. Once again, superstar striker Luis Suarez was on the scoresheet, as well as defender Sakho getting his first goal for the Reds. Another couple of clumsy own goals took the home sides tally to four. Liverpool dominated for the majority of the 90 minutes, creating a staggering 31 chances compared to the Hammers’ 5. Henderson, Coutinho, and Steven Gerrard contributed the most, creating 15 of these chances, with 5 each. The Reds sit in 2nd place in the table with a few big matches against Tottenham, Chelsea, and Man City coming up over Christmas.
Stoke left it late but managed to get a shock 3 points at home against Chelsea. Oussama Assaidi scored a stunning last minute winner to beat the Blues 3-2, after initially going behind in the first half. Andre Schurrle got the two goals for Chelsea, but although having the better of the possession with 57%, in the end it just wasn’t enough for Jose Mourinho’s side. Marc Wilson was the star man at the back for Stoke, making a total of 4 clearances, and also winning 100% of tackles attempted. The loss means that Chelsea missed the opportunity to get some points back on league leaders Arsenal.
Arsenal only managed a draw at home to Everton on Sunday. Roberto Martinez’s side have been high-flying at the moment, especially after coming away from Old Trafford with all three points on Wednesday. Gerard Deulofeu’s late goal was enough to seal the Blues a point at The Emirates, after Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal the lead only a few minutes earlier. Although Everton were dispossessed a total of 14 times, they managed to create the same amount of chances as Arsenal (9), and their persistence was rewarded. Although missing the chance to go 7 points ahead at the top of the Premier League table, the Gunners still had a five point lead over Liverpool and Chelsea.
The pressure intensifies even more for David Moyes after Manchester United lost at home for the second time in a week – the first time it’s happened since the 01/02 season. A coolly-taken goal from Yohan Cabaye gave Newcastle the lead 15 minutes into the second half, as they managed to hold on and claim the three points. Robin Van Persie had a goal disallowed as United tried to find an equaliser. However, the Champions’ recent form is starting to become a real concern for fans. Newcastle had more chances than the home side, creating 9 compared to United’s 8, and marginally shading the possession. Manchester United now lie 9th in the table, 12 points adrift of Arsenal who lead at the top, while Newcastle are starting to pick up pace in 7th with 26 points.
Tottenham managed to get some points on the board after their poor recent form by winning 2-1 at Sunderland. Although a mistake from Hugo Lloris gifted the home side the lead, a Paulinho tap-in and own goal from John O’Shea sealed the three points for under pressure manager Andre Villas Boas. Lennon, Holtby and Dembele were the most involved, creating 4 each, of Spurs’ 21 chances created. Sunderland stay trapped at the bottom of the table with only 8 points, whereas Spurs now sit 6th on the same points as Everton.
Manchester City could only manage a draw away to Southampton at St Mary’s. A superb strike from Dani Osvaldo was enough to claim a point for the home side, after Sergio Aguero gave the Blues the lead early on. Although City started the brighter, Southampton showed why they have proved to be the surprise package this season, with 54% of the possession and after creating 10 chances. Osvaldo was the star man in the Southampton attack, having a shot every 25 minutes, one of them leading to his stunning equaliser.
