Manchester City returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, beating Newcastle United by three goals to one at the Etihad Stadium in the days late kick-off.
A hat-trick from Sergio Aguero wrapped up the points for Pep Guardiola’s side, who maintain their twelve point advantage at the summit meaning that ten victories for their remain fourteen games should wrap things up regardless of other results.
The race could be over even sooner given the next Manchester derby is due to take place on April 7th, while the double header with Arsenal and Chelsea which happens in a month will also go on long way to confirming the destination of the trophy, not that there can be too much doubt.
Race for second
Jose Mourinho’s men kept up there end of the bargain by nudging past Burnley on Saturday afternoon, with Anthony Martial getting the only goal of the game.
The France international is having a fine season though it remains to be seen whether his place in the Red Devils starting line-up comes under threat from the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, who completed his move to Old Trafford on Monday.
Chelsea thumped Brighton and Hove Albion by four goals to nil and move up a place to third, where they stay following Liverpool’s surprise defeat to bottom-of-the-table Swansea City on Monday evening.
Run over
It’s the first time Jurgen Klopp’s side have been beaten since Tottenham Hotspur thumped them by four goals to one at Wembley exactly three months ago and only the third league defeat all season.
Spurs remain in fifth and are move to within a point of the Champions League qualification places after drawing with Southampton, who themselves stay in the relegation zone.
Three from eleven
The South Coast side are among a group of eleven teams, from tenth to twentieth who are separated by just six points though they, like the other three sides in the bottom four all had positive results at the weekend.
West Bromwich Albion followed their win against Brighton and Hove Albion with an impressive draw at Everton though the game was marred by a horrific injury to James McCarthy, who suffered a double leg fracture after a clash with Salomon Rondon though it has to be said the Baggies forward was completely blameless.
Stoke City won their first game under Paul Lambert, beating Huddersfield Town who, along with Brighton will now be looking over their shoulders with fears of an immediate return to the Championship.
West Ham United top the bottom half following their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth while Watford’s poor run extended with defeat to Leicester City – a game that proved to be the final one for manager Marco Silva, who was dismissed on Sunday and quickly replace by Javi Gracia.
The Hornets remain in the top half by the skin of their teeth but are just three points above the drop zone and can be backed at a price of 9/1 to be relegated.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
