Premier League gameweek 16 review/17 preview - drama at both ends of the table
By Tom Masters
As another weekend of Premier League action came to a thrilling conclusion at Selhurst Park on Sunday, we have a look at all the games and look ahead at the midweek action as the busy Premier League schedule continues.
There were nine Premier League fixtures last weekend, as Tottenham Hotspur’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion was postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 cases at Tottenham.
Brentford steal Friday night battle
Brentford once again took the three points in a nervy Friday night battle with Watford, as the Bees stuttered to a 2-1 win over the Hornets.
Watford took the lead in the first half through Emmanuel Dennis, whose seventh goal of the season proved to be in vain as Brentford came back late.
First through a scrappy Pontus Jansson goal from a corner after 83 minutes to level the scores and then a sloppy lunge from William Troost-Ekong in stoppage time gifted the Bees a penalty from which Bryan Mbeumo scored to give the hosts breathing room between them and the bottom three.
For Watford, it was an extremely frustrating result as they were in control for large parts of the game but threw it away at the end, much to the delight of Thomas Frank and the fans of the Brentford Community Stadium.
Saturday was a day packed with drama, as four of the five matches were decided by just one goal and all four of those winning goals were penalties.
In the early kick-off, Manchester City claimed a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium, with Raheem Sterling converting from the spot after Bernardo Silva was fouled in the box.
Sterling’s effort was his 100th Premier League goal, meaning he joins the illustrious 100 club at the age of just 27.
The 3pm kick-offs saw just as much drama.
Arsenal eased to a 3-0 win over struggling Southampton at the Emirates Stadium, with goals coming from Alexandre Lacazette, Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel as the Gunners moved up to sixth.
Meanwhile, Liverpool struggled to a 1-0 win over Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa at Anfield, with Mo Salah scoring from the penalty spot after he was fouled in the box to notch his 14th Premier League goal of the season in just 16 matches.
Chelsea struck late from the spot at Stamford Bridge, in a match where three penalties were awarded.
Raphinha gave the away side the lead from 12 yards after Marcos Alonso’s late challenge on Daniel James before Alonso went from zero to hero when he won the ball off Stuart Dallas and found Mason Mount who tucked it away to equalise.
Antonio Rudiger was then fouled by Raphinha with Jorginho converting the penalty to give Chelsea the lead, which they held until young Joe Gelhardt scored from a flowing move to equalise again.
The drama was not over though, as Jorginho was again successful with a penalty in the 94th minute to give the Blues a 3-2 win after Rudiger was once again fouled in the box, this time by Mateusz Klich.
In the 5:30pm kick-off, Manchester United laboured to a 1-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring from the penalty spot and David de Gea making several vital saves for the Red Devils.
Gallagher and Maddison inspire as West Ham held at Turf Moor
West Ham went to Turf Moor after both Manchester United and Arsenal had won the previous day and knowing that Tottenham Hotspur had two games in hand.
Thus, a win would have been much appreciated against Burnley, but Sean Dyche’s men held strong and at full-time both sides had to settle for a point in a goalless draw.
Leicester City were looking to get over their Europa League disappointment against Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium.
James Maddison was in fine form for the Foxes, winning another penalty that was converted by Youri Tielemans.
Patson Daka then finished off a wonderful flowing move to make it 2-0 before Maddison assisted Tielemans in another sensational Foxes attack.
The cherry on the cake came when Daka put Maddison through and his effort could not be stopped by Martin Dubravka as Brendan Rodgers’ men cruised to a 4-0 win.
In the late Sunday kick-off, Connor Gallagher inspired Crystal Palace to a 3-1 victory over Everton at Selhurst Park.
The England midfielder was on hand to score twice, once in each half, with the second strike a brilliant finish.
Salomon Rondon briefly got the Toffees back into the game after James Tomkins made it 2-0, but Gallagher’s late effort took the game away from Rafa Benitez’s men who continue to struggle.
All eyes turn to midweek action
In what is a traditionally busy Christmas, all sides are in action this week, before another set of fixtures next weekend.
Brentford were due to host Manchester United, although the game has now been postponed due to the Covid situation in the United squad.
Norwich host Aston Villa at Carrow Road desperate for some sort of result against the resurgent Villans, who have impressed since Steven Gerrard came in as manager.
The first of the Premier League runaway pack Manchester City will be hoping to go four points clear at the top of the table as they host Leeds.
On Wednesday, Wolves visit Brighton and Hove Albion as two of the Premier League’s most stubborn defences meet in what is sure to be a tense affair at the Amex Stadium.
Burnley host Watford in what promises to be another tetchy relegation battle, with the Hornets now just two points clear of 18th-placed Burnley.
Crystal Palace will look to entertain at Selhurst Park once again as they host Southampton, who themselves are now perilously close to the drop zone.
Arsenal meet West Ham in a massive top-four battle, as the Gunners look to leapfrog the Hammers into fourth.
Thursday provides three more fixtures, as Leicester City host Tottenham Hotspur, who are back in training following their recent cancellations due to Covid-19 cases.
Chelsea host Everton, with former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez desperate for any sort of result as he fights for his job, and the other Merseyside club Liverpool are also in action, as they take on struggling Newcastle at Anfield - with Jurgen Klopp hoping for a more convincing performance after back-to-back 1-0 wins in the Premier League.