Premier League Review – Matchday 23

Liverpool survived a few scares against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday afternoon to maintain their grip at the top of the Premier League.

Andros Townsend put the Eagles ahead on thirty-four minutes though Mo Salah drew the hosts level just after the restart.

Roberto Firmino then put Jurgen Klopp’s men ahead only for James Tomkins to equalise a little over ten minutes later.

Salah then grabbed his second fifteen minutes from time but the drama was far from over with James Milner dismissed with just a minute of the ninety to play.

Sadio Mane then added a fourth in stoppage time, and there was still time for another goal though Max Meyer’s stunning strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Keeping pace

Manchester City eased past Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon – Danilo, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling with the goals in a 3-0 triumph while Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage later in the day.

Fernando Llorente put the ball past his own goalkeeper to give Claudio Ranieri’s side the lead after seventeen minutes, and it was a lead that lasted until six minutes into the second half – Dele Alli with the equaliser.

Then just as the shares looked as though they were going to be shared, Harry Winks hit the winner five minutes in to stoppage time, keeping Spurs to within nine points of Liverpool.

Closing in

Arsenal are just three points behind Chelsea, after they beat the Blues 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s late kick-off while Manchester United are, like the Gunners on forty-four points after they beat Brighton and Hove Albion – their seventh straight win in all competitions.

Few would bet against Ole Gunnar Solksjaer extending his perfect start as manager in the league with a favourable run of fixtures ahead, which is probably why the Red Devils are only 6/4 to finish the season in the top four.

Watford remain seventh despite being held to a goalless draw by Burnley, who themselves extend their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions while Wolverhampton Wanderers are up to eighth after coming out on top in a thrilling game against Leicester City.

Thriller

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side looked to be in control after going in at half time two goals to the good though the Foxes were level just six minutes into the second half.

Leicester again levelled late on after Diogo Jota had restored his sides lead with his second goal, though the Portuguese striker both completed his hat-trick and secured the points in stoppage time.

Never has there been such opposing views in the dugouts with Claude Puel left fuming and his counterpart celebrating so wildly, he was given his marching orders.

Elsewhere there were home wins for Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Southampton over West Ham United, Cardiff City and Everton respectively.