Having witnessed the round 24 of the English premier league, we pick up the winners and the losers from this round.
WINNERS
The Manchester Clubs.
The Blue and Red half of Manchester both escaped this round with a victory with Manchester city winning more comfortably with club top scorer Sergio Kun Aguero grabbing an hat-trick in the 3-1 demolition of Newcastle at the Etihad on Saturday, this victory keeps them comfortably top of the log seating 12 point above second place Manchester United, this victory comes after they tasted their first league defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield last time out.
With all of the positivity that comes with the imminent arrival of Arsenal Star Alexis Sanchez, Manchester United although dominant had to wait until the 54th minute when Romelu Lukaku cross field pass was met with a composed finish from Anthony Martial, the initial struggle before the winning goal shows exactly why the Red Devils are so hot in the pursuit of the Chile International, This results keeps them second on the log although 12 points adrift of Manchester City.
They are also 3 points above defending Champions Chelsea who sits 3rd on the log.
Chelsea.
Antonio Conte will be a very relieved man after his team successfully overcame a disastrous start to New Year to defeat Brighton and Hove away from home thanks to a double from Talisman Eden Hazard and goals from Willian and Victor Moses, Chelsea was without suspended Alvaro Morata and started Batshuayi in a 3-4-3 system, Victor Moses got his first goal of the season as he superbly converted from Charly Mosunda’s precise cross. This victory was Chelsea first league victory in 2018 and it also put to bed fears that the London Giants could be on the decline following a disastrous beginning.
Arsenal.
Arsenal breezed past Crystal Palace with a cynical display in the first 22 minutes that made them produce four goals that propelled them to a 4-1 victory at the Emirates, goals from Monreal, Iwobi, koscielny and Lacazette alongside a wonderful display for Ozil, helped to dispatch fears that Arsenal will struggle after they lost Theo Walcott to Everton and the imminent transfer of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United.
The performance of the gunners has already had some fans dreaming about the possibility of having Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan in their ranks, this result keeps them firmly in the race for claiming the last European spot from Tottenham. Although this victory does not indicate that Arsenal will go on to impress but at least it is a breather for Arsene Wenger after he has come in for intense criticism for his transfer policies.
Stoke City.
Stoke were able to Claim a much needed victory thanks to second half goals from Joe Allen and Mame Diouf this victory keeps them 17th on the log a point just above relegation, and at least till the next round stoke city can feel safe having fallen behind their usual standards since the beginning of the season.
Leicester city.
Consecutive victories has seen Leicester move up the log to 7th as they saw off Watford 2-0 at the King power Stadium they are unbeaten since the turn of the year, and goals from main men Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, ensured that trend continued.
LOSERS.
Everton and West Brom.
Everton and West Brom played a needless 1-1 draw that was not enough to raise West Brom from the relegation waters and they remain 19th on the log.
Everton who lost a player James McCarthy to a nasty leg injury, after he tried to block Solomon Rondon from taking a Shot had a disappointing day.
They remain 9th on the log after taking 28 points from 24 matches, it was a disappointing display at least on Everton standards but they can take positivity from the fact that 20 million Arsenal signing Theo Walcott provided the equalizing assist for Oumar Niasse after trailing by a goal for the majority of the Match.
Crystal Palace.
Crystal palace are just 3 points above the relegation waters and performances like the one against the Gunners’ at the Emirate would definitely see them drop more points. They were totally helpless as they were repeatedly exposed by the swiftness and precision of the Gunners, although they improved in the second half and even got a goal, but the deed was already done.
And they were left to lick their wounds.
Brighton and Hove.
Brighton And Hove were subjected to the brilliance and efficiency of the league defending champions Chelsea as they were ruthlessly defeated on home turf 0-4. A double from Eden Hazard and goals from Willian and Victor Moses condemned them to their second League defeat in a roll after they were defeated by West Brom last time out.
Brighton and Hove are now winless in their last 5 league matches with their last victory coming in a 1-0 win over Watford two days to Christmas last year having recorded 3 loss and 2 draws after that victory.
Although they defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in the English F.A cup.
Southampton and Tottenham.
The one all draw between Southampton and Tottenham is one that does not Favour both parties a win would have taken Tottenham level on point with Liverpool who has a game to spare, and a win would have also taken Southampton out of the relegation waters to 14th position but as it stands with a draw they are still 18th on the log while Tottenham would be dealt a huge blow in their bid for Champions League football as a win for Liverpool against Swansea would take them 5 points behind the Reds.
©Olaniyi Adeoluwa
Painting Titled; Poenies by Henri Fantin-Latour, 1876
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