Premier League Review – Matchday Twenty-eight

Manchester City are now sixteen points clear at the top of the Premier League after again running riot, with Leicester City the latest side to be on the receiving of a hammering from Pep Guardiola’s side.

Most of the prematch discussion had focussed on whether or not Riyad Mahrez would feature after returning the squad for the first time since he was denied a deadline day transfer to the Etihad Stadium.

The Algerian did come off the bench for the Foxes though there was little he could do as the leaders put five past the East Midlands outfit – four of which were scored by Sergio Aguero, who took his tally for the campaign to twenty-one league goals.

Only Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Mo Salah have scored more at this point though you may be tempted to back Aguero to pip them to the Golden Boot at a price of 7/2.

Both Kane and Salah were also on the scoresheet this weekend with Spurs’ top scorer getting the only goal of the game in the North London derby while the Egyptian international grabbed the second in his side’s 2-0 win at Southampton, having also provided the assist for Roberto Firmino’s opener.

Manchester United remain in second place in the table though are now just two points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s side after suffering a shock defeat at Newcastle United.

Matt Richie’s first goal of the season was enough to separate the sides, and the three points see Rafa Bentiez’s men rise to thirteenth place though they are still just two points clear of the relegation zone.

There was also just the one goal as Swansea City hosted Burnley and it was the south Wales side who took to points as they continued their rise under Carlos Carvalhal.

The Swans are now unbeaten in nine games in all competitions but certainly can’t rest on their laurels as they are just one point above the drop zone, as are both Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town.

Palace were beaten 3-1 by Everton at Goodison Park while the Terriers thumped Bournemouth by four goals to one in Sunday’s early kick-off in Yorkshire.

Elsewhere, Javi Gracia suffered his first defeat as Watford manager with West Ham United running out 2-0 winners from their meeting at the London Stadium while the only draw from matchday twenty-seven came at the Bet 365, with Stoke City and Brighton and Hove Albion sharing the spoils.

Finally, Chelsea bounced back from back-to-back defeats after beating West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening.

Eden Hazard scored either side of a Victor Moses to relieve the pressure on manager Antonio Conte ahead of Friday evening’s FA Cup tie with Hull City and their Champions League clash with Barcelona the following week.