HITC rounds up the highlights and disappointments of the Premier League weekend.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew
Swansea City secured a vital win over relegation rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday as the two teams took part in a sensational nine-goal thriller at the Liberty Stadium. Despite taking an early lead through Wilfried Zaha, Swansea had secured a comfortable 3-1 lead after 75 minutes, thanks to a sublime Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick and two goals from Leroy Fer. However, just fifteen minutes later, Crystal Palace were back in front after goals from James Tomkins, Christian Benteke and an own-goal from Swansea captain, Jack Cork.
Swansea City’s Fernando Llorente speaks to Swansea City manager Bob Bradley before coming on as a substitute
At this stage, many at the Liberty Stadium thought that the game was over, and were already ruing throwing away a 3-1 lead. But the best was yet to come, as substitute forward, Fernando Llorente, struck twice in injury time to give Bob Bradley’s side a much needed 5-4 win.
Swansea City manager Bob Bradley
An important win for the relegation strugglers; Swansea’s victory not only eased some of the pressure on American, Bob Bradley, but piled it on the already heavy shoulders of Palace boss, Alan Pardew. After a torrid 2016, understandable cries of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” rang out from the Palace faithful at full time, and many now wonder how much longer Pardew has in the job.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Chelsea continued their impressive run of form with a 2-1 over Tottenham Hotspur. After dropping out of Europe in the week, Pochettino’s Spurs side were desperate to impress their fans, and started well, taking the lead through a fantastic strike from Christian Eriksen. However, Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure and found the win through goals from their two impressive wide men, Pedro and Victor Moses. Despite Tottenham’s dominance in the first half, Antonio Conte’s sign are showing they can find a way to win against even the toughest of opponents.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho found himself frustrated once again as the Red Devils slipped to a 1-1 draw with Slaven Bilic’s West Ham. Mourinho was sent to the stands for kicking a bottle in frustration, mostly due to his team’s sloppy performance and West Ham’s early goal through Diafra Sakho. Despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s equaliser, Manchester United failed to capitalise on their equaliser, and many are wondering now, considering the strength of the opposition in the league this season, whether United’s title bid is already over.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman returned to his former club, Southampton for the first time since leaving the Saints for Everton in the summer. Despite Koeman’s gesticulations during the week over his reasons for leaving for the Toffees, Southampton looked like much the better side, and took an early lead through Charlie Austin. Everton missed numerous chances to equalise, with the best falling to Idrissa Gueye, but the former Aston Villa midfielder shot over after Seamus Coleman’s cut-back. The win lifts Southampton up to 10th in the Premier League, two points behind seventh-placed Everton.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Sergio Aguero saved Pep Guardiola’s blushes after the Argentine fired his team to victory despite Burnley’s early lead. Arsenal romped to an impressive 3-1 win over Bournemouth thanks to goals from Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
Liverpool secured a comfortable 2-0 over struggling Sunderland, despite losing star-forward Phillipe Coutinho to injury in the first-half. Stoke City picked up a 0-1 away win at Walter Mazzari’s Watford thanks to an inspired performance from Scottish midfielder, Charlie Adam. Premier League champions, Leicester City fought to a well-earned 2-2 draw against an impressive Middlesbrough side, and Hull City played out an uninspiring 1-1 draw with Tony Pulis’ West Brom.
Results
Burnley 1-2 Manchester City
Hull City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
Leicester 2-2 Middlesbrough
Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland
Swansea City 5-4 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Watford 0-1 Stoke City
Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth
Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United
Southampton 1-0 Everton
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