Premier League – Week 7

Spurs Bring City Down to Earth

On Sunday Tottenham humbled Manchester City with a 2-0 defeat at White Hart Lane. Leaving Spurs as the only unbeaten team of the league, they have moved into second place in the table, with 17 points, just one less than City. The match was certainly dramatic with  Aleksandar Kolarov giving Spurs a lead after only nine minutes courtesy of an own goal. Dele Alli sealed the deal at the 37^th minute after seeing home a pass from Son Heung. Both sides were missing key players in terms of Kane and de Bruyne but, in the end, Spurs beat City at their own high-intensity game.

Swans See Red

The Swans were seeing red on Saturday at the Liberty Stadium, as Liverpool secured their fourth Premier League victory in a row, beating Swansea 2-1. Despite securing an early lead thanks to a goal by Leroy Fer in the 8^th minute, Liverpool dominated the second half with goals from Firmino and Milner. Guidolin’s side is still sitting just above the relegation zone on goal difference, but haven’t won a match in the league since the opening day.

Chelsea Fight Back

The Blues managed to find their spirit, ending their run of defeats, and beating Hull 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday. Things looked promising for Hull in the first half, but Chelsea doubled down in the second, with a goal from Willian in the 61^st minute, and another from Costa following minutes later at the 67’ mark. Conte’s promised solution materialised as a strategy he’d employed whilst at Juventus, centred on a three-man defence. With Phelan’s team dangerously close to the relegation zone, it seems the party may be over for Hull.

Burnley Gunned Down

It was a painful day for the Clarets at home, as they were beaten by the Gunners in the third minute of added time at Turf Moor. The single, winning, goal of the whole game came courtesy of Laurent Koscielny, and wrapped in controversy. Though unclear at the time, and going undisputed, it appears Koscielny’s hand may have touched the ball. Dyche’s team can console themselves that they held out against a determined onslaught by Arsenal, and are putting in a good showing for a newly promoted team, but the loss at home will still sting.

Vicarage Road Drama

Watford and Bournemouth clashed in a dramatic performance at Vicarage Road on Saturday. It ended in two goals-a-piece, but it wasn’t for want of trying, with the Cherries hitting the bar three times in the second half. The home side got in 17 shots compared to the visitor’s 11, and demonstrated a determined defence, but in the end Wilson and King found the back of the net for the Cherries and Deeney and Success drove one home each for the Hornets.

Stress for Saints

At the King Power Stadium the current champions Leicester, were held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton on Sunday. The Foxes struggled to contain the Saints as Austin, in particular, kept up the pressure with three close shots. Ranieri’s side generally seemed tired after their 1-0 win over Porto on Tuesday in the Champions League. Considering the Saint’s stressful week, suffering delays returning from a Europa League tie in Israel, plus the press attention after assistant manager Eric Black being named in a corruption investigation by the Daily Telegraph, their lacklustre performance is understandable.

Meanwhile….

Friday saw Everton and Crystal Palace finish 1-1 at Goodison Park, Palace picking up a valuable point, and the Toffees were briefly able to enjoy sitting third in the table before the rest of the weekend’s fixtures came into play.

Sunderland and West Brom ended 1-1 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. At least the Black Cats broke their losing streak at home, but they remained in the relegation zone. The Baggies could use a little more creativity and imagination.

West Ham managed to end their run of defeats by drawing 1-1 with Middlesbrough at London Stadium on Saturday. Stuani briefly put the visitors in the lead at the 51^st minute, before Payet equalised in the 57^th. The Boro left with a much-needed point, and Bilic will be hoping the match marked a turning point for his struggling side.

On Sunday, Stoke managed to steal a cheeky point as they drew 1-1 with an aggressive Manchester United at Old Trafford. Lee Grant, making no fewer than eight saves during the game, allowed the Potters to cling on, despite United’s best efforts. However, it was Allen who equalised for the visitors in the 82^nd minute. United’s goal came from Martial at the 69’ mark. United now chase Everton in the table, but Stoke are still struggling in the relegation zone.

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