Leicester pull five points clear of Tottenham on top of the league to continue their incredible Premier League title challenge while Chelsea came from behind to record another valuable win to move them higher up the table. Stoke City makes Villa’s Premier League survival an uphill battle and Antonio gives Sam Allardyce a miserable homecoming.
West Ham 1-0 Sunderland Sunderland and ex- West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce was given a miserable homecoming to his old stomping ground by Michail Antonio’s first half strike. Antonio’s solo strike ensured an unhappy return for the former Hammer boss and help the east Londoners climb into fifth position in the EPL. West Ham could have made it more comfortable but for Mark Noble’s and Andy Carroll’s efforts hitting the cross-bar. Antonio’s decisive goal – his fifth in 19 games, came on the half-hour mark after outmuscling Patrick van Aanholt, drove inside before curling a low drive into the far corner. Sunderland remain second bottom and in deep danger of relegation with time running out.
Leicester 1-0 Norwich The Premier League leaders left it late but eventually prevailed with a huge three points to move five points clear at the helm, keeping their incredible title charge on course. The home side did not let the two weeks of dormancy since their defeat at the Emirates hinder their progress with Ulloa’s late strike the difference between the two sides. Norwich wasted two glorious opportunities in the first half that could have changed the course of the match and help their battle from relegation but showed enough fight and determination. Ulloa gave Leicester the last laugh and a huge sigh of relieve when he fired home a superb goal from Marc Albrighton’s low cross.
Stoke City 2-1 Aston Villa Arnautovic’s brace is another nail in Villa’s relegation coffin, exposing their soft underbelly even with a better performance all round. The Stoke striker’s first came from the penalty spot after Westwood caught Phil Bardsley with a high boot as both players contested Shaqiri’s sumptuously lofted reverse pass. Arnautovic’s second came in the 56th minute when he reacted the quickest to chest Affelay’s cross over the line from a yard out. Leandro Bacuna pulled a goal back for Villa in the 79th minute but it was too little too late.
Southampton 1-2 Chelsea Chelsea remain unbeaten in the Premiership under Gus Hiddink with a great performance to come from behind and take all the three points on offer against the Saints. The home side played the better football for the most part of the match with Chelsea looking second best but were unlucky with the embarrassing way they conceded the opening goal. A misplaced header by Baba Rahman from a speculative long ball gifted Shane Long a clear run on the goal. The striker took one touch and lifted it past the indecisive Thibaut Courtois into the far corner.
Cesc Fabregas restored parity in bizarre circumstances when Costa chased down a ball to the by-line. He pulled it back for Fabregas who cut inside and crossed a ball aimed at Hazard, only to miss him and fool the goalkeeper before trickling past him. The visitors took all three points in the 89th minute when Ivanovic rose the highest to plant a thumping header into the net from Willian’s corner kick. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Saints in a match they dominated. Chelsea now have a place in Europe within a touching distance.
Watford 0-0 Bournemouth Their was little goalmouth action from both sides, especially in the first half aside the two chances missed and one saved by Arthur Boruc fron Ighalo. Nevertheless, it was a valuable point gained by both sides, moving Watford closer to unexpected European place while it moves Bournemouth further away from the relegation zone.
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