Premier League Week 12 Wrap-up

Manchester City stall in their good run of form

Manchester City has had a good run of form recently that included a 4–0 win over West Bromwich Albion and a 3–1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League. Ilkay Gündogan and Kevin De Bruyne were in top form during these games and were leading City to victory. The past two games have also been good for Middlesbrough. They drew 1–1 with Arsenal two weeks ago and had a 2–0 victory over Bournemouth last week.

These two teams came into the match in good form but with their star power and quality, Manchester City was expected to win the match. Sergio Agüero put City ahead before half time. The star man De Bruyne played in a gorgeous cross to Agüero. The ball was un-defendable and Agüero was free to score his 150th goal for Manchester City.

At the start of the second half, Middlesbrough put City under pressure immediately. Alvaro Negredo almost caught Claudio Bravo out of position but the City keeper was able to recover in time. Despite that chance, City still controlled possession and had the majority of scoring opportunities. Though he had many chances, Agüero was unable to score and make it two goals for himself on the day.

Middlesbrough did not leave the Emirates quietly as they scored a last minute equalizer. In the first minute of stoppage time, Middlesbrough was attacking and George Friend did his best De Bruyne impression as he whipped in a fantastic cross. Gaël Clichy was stuck marking two men and he was unable to stop Marten de Roon from scoring a goal. The match ended 1–1 and City fell out of first. Pep Guardiola was happy to stick with his players and system through the wins but with so many poor results recently he may have to change it around.

Chelsea dismantle Everton

Antonio Conte has led Chelsea to a great run of form as his 3–4–3 formation has done wonders for the London club. With recent wins over Manchester United, Leicester City, and Southampton, Chelsea has been flying high and look like the team that won the Premier League two years ago. Everton has had a good start to the season under new manager Ronald Koeman and Romelu Lukaku has looked deadly in front of goal. Despite his great form, Everton have struggled at times and lost to low teams.

Eden Hazard began the scoring, continuing his great run of form. In the 19th minute, Nemanja Matić disposed an Everton player in midfield and gave the ball to Diego Costa. Costa took it down the pitch and passed it to Hazard. The Belgian cut to his right foot and curled a shot into the corner. There were calls for offside as Pedro seemed to impede the keeper but Pedro was judged onside and the goal was allowed.

One minute later Chelsea grew their lead. Pedro had the ball on the right side of the box and put in a low cross to the middle. Diego Costa avoided the ball to allow Maros Alonso to score his first goal for the club. Before the half time whistle blew, Chelsea would make it three. Hazard swung in the cross and Matić headed it backwards at the near post. The ball fell for Costa who scored his league leading 9th goal of the season.

Everton looked defeated before half time came and Chelsea would make the result even wider in the second fort-five minutes. Eden Hazard added a second goal for himself and Pedro earned a goal after two assists. The game was a completely one-sided affair and helped to move Chelsea to first in the table for a brief time. Chelsea played at the top the game and was unstoppable. Everton stayed in the same position, just outside the top five teams.

Tottenham hold Arsenal off the top spot

With Manchester City being held to a draw, Arsenal had the opportunity to take possession of the top spot against their biggest rival, Tottenham Hotspur. The two teams were in different forms as Arsenal had won four of their past five games and the Spurs did not have a win in their last five. Tottneham has had this weak form for much of the season and though they are in the top five have not looked impressive in majority of their matches. Arsenal has surprised fans and specifically Theo Walcott has had a great start to the season.

Mesut Özil looked to continue his scoring in recent games with a goal early against Tottenham but hit wide in his first chance of the game. After that chance, Arsenal had the majority of chances and put a lot of pressure on Hugo Lloris and the Tottenham defense. Walcott also came close but hit the crossbar with his shot. It was substitute Kevin Wimmer that made the first big mistake as he misjudged a header back to the keeper and scored an own goal. Just before half time, Arsenal was up 1–0 from a massive defensive error.

In his first start since suffering an injury, Harry Kane scored the equalizer for Tottenham. Mousa Dembélé made a strong run into the box in the 51st minute. Laurent Koscielny stuck his leg out to get the ball but tripped up Dembélé and referee Mark Clattenburg immediately gave the penalty. Kane scored the penalty and Tottenham had life breathed back into them. Two defensive mistakes led to two goals for either team.

Kane was inches from making it two goals in the game but Nacho Monreal came up with a great defensive block to deny the leading goal scorer form last season. Granit Xhaka also had his chance but was unable to get his head on the ball. The game was incredibly messy towards the end and Petr Čech had a couple of mistakes that could lead to goals but Tottenham did not capitalize. Both team continued to have great chances but neither could score and the match ended in a draw.

Arsenal missed their golden opportunity to go top of the table after City stumbled against Middlesbrough. Tottenham were able to stay in the top five of the table, four points clear of Manchester United and Everton. Arsenal have a tough match against Manchester United next week while Tottenham will play West Ham United to keep their place in the top five.

Liverpool continue their high scoring attack

Liverpool has been in brilliant attacking form and has won four of their last five games. They have looked unstoppable in attack and seem to be able to score five or more goals in each game. Watford has had a good run of form as well that has seen them rise to seventh in the league, tied on points with Manchester United. This game Liverpool continued that form and overpowered Watford.

Sadio Mané started the scoring in the 27th minute. Coutinho swung in a cross after a corner and Mané flicked the ball on with his head to the top corner of the net. Gomes was unable to save the ball as the shot was near perfect. Coutinho scored his own goal after his assist. Roberto Firmino picked out the Liverpool number ten. Coutinho then cut across two defenders and placed a low shot in the corner that made the score 2–0.

Emre Can continued to thrive in his new position in midfield, scoring a goal in the 43rd minute. Adam Lallana earned the assist this time and Watford looked unable to keep up with the Liverpool attackers. Lallana got a second assist as Watford were unable to clear the ball and Roberto Firmino had an easy tap-in for the fourth goal of the game. Mané earned his second as he beat the Watford defense and scored on a pass from Firmino.

Watford pulled one back in the 75th minute when Nordin Amrabat found Daryl Janmaat for a goal. Liverpool lost the clean sheet but was still incredibly dominant in the match. Liverpool would score one more before the final whistle blew. Giorgio Wijnaldum got in on the action when he scored a goal in the 90th minute. Daniel Sturridge took a shot that substitute keeper Costel Pantilimon parried away but the ball was not pushed far enough away as Wijnaldum was there to score. Liverpool went top of the table and earned that spot with amazing attacking play. The goal is to outscore your opponent and despite occasional defensive mistakes, Liverpool is able to pile up the goals to stay ahead.

Untied breathes a sigh of relief

José Mourinho has had a tough time in recent weeks at Manchester United. His top players are not performing and United fell out of the top five in the Premier League. They also suffered disappointing defeats in the Europa League but had a good win in the EFL Cup against Manchester City. Since Bob Bradley took over at Swansea City, Swansea has yet to win a game holding their spot at the bottom of the table.

Wayne Rooney got his first start in the EPL after an absence from the team due to poor performances from the captain. Paul Pogba has received a lot of criticism because he has looked lost in the midfield and unsure of himself. He silenced the critics with a beautiful volley that was United’s first goal in the Premier League since week seven. The volley was near perfect and Mourinho was able to feel better in the stands, serving his one match suspension.

After the first goal, United got more confident and the Red Devil players moved further up the pitch to get the second goal. It was Zlatan Ibrahimović that scored in the 21st minute to put United up 2–0. Zlatan has been held scoreless for many games after a strong start to the season. With the two United stars getting goals, all was right in Manchester.

Zlatan earned his second goal twelve minutes after his first. Rooney earned his second assist, hoping to secure his place in the starting eleven. Swansea looked abysmal in defense and was unable to keep the quality of the Manchester United players in check. The first forty-five resulted in three goals for United and a dream start to the game after so many disappointing games.

Swansea was able to get one back 69th minute. Gylfi Sigurdsson swung in a free kick that came of the head of Swansea defender Mike van der Hoorn. The game would end 3–1 and United earned three points to move to sixth in the table. Swansea continues to dwell in the relegation zone and Bradley has been unable to turn the results for the Welsh side around. Mourinho and the Manchester United players will have some reprieve from the criticism they have been getting and have a chance to relax for the time being.

Other scores from around the league

Sunderland earns their first win of the season in a 2–1 victory over Bournemouth. Crystal Palace falls further down the table in a 2–3 defeat at Burnley. Stoke City and West Ham United tie 1–1. Hull City halts their decline in a 2–1 victory over Southampton. Leicester City continues their poor results in a 1–2 defeated against West Bromwich Albion.