Football

Premier League Review, Matchday 30

Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne looks on during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 13, 2021. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne looks on during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 13, 2021. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Manchester City stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League standings to 17 points after a hard fought 2-0 win against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Sergio Agüero returned to the starting lineup following his announcement to leave the ‘Cityzens’ by the end of the season.
City struggled to break down an organized Leicester City side in the first half but Pep Guardiola’s side showed why their lead at the top of the pile is no fluke.
Benjamin Mendy scored the opener on 58 minutes with his weaker right foot after Leicester failed to clear their lines. Mendy’s goal was his second of the Premier League season.
A moment of brilliance from Kevin De Bruyne doubled City’s advantage. The Belgian’s superb defence splitting pass went past a crop of Leicester City players and found Gabriel Jesus who unselfishly found Raheem Sterling but Sterling returned the favour to Jesus who converted his eighth goal of the season in the 74th minute.
Leicester are still in third place with 56 points and they have nothing to worry about thanks to Chelsea’s shocking disaster-class.
Thomas Tuchel witnessed his Chelsea team crumble to the first loss of his tenure in devastating fashion as they were defeated 2-5 by West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea took the lead in the 27th minute as Christian Pulisic was on hand to score after Marcos Alonso’s free kick was tipped onto the bar by Sam Johnstone but the game would take a dramatic turn.
Thiago Silva was sent off following two yellow cards on five and 29 minutes respectively and West Brom capitalised with effectively.
Matheus Pereira scored two goals in two minutes during first half injury time to leave Chelsea trailing at the break and in need of a miracle.
However, West Brom did not take their foot of the pedal as Callum Robinson and Mbaye Diagne netted beautiful goals in the 63rd and 68th minute to extend the Baggies’ lead.
Mason Mount gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope following some great work from Timo Werner with a goal on 71 minutes. Kurt Zouma missed a sitter soon after in a moment which could have changed the game but Callum Robinson completed his brace in the first minute of second half injury time to compound Chelsea’s woes.
West Brom moved seven points away from safety with the win but they remain 19th. The Blues remain fourth on the log but they have lost significant grip on the last Champions League spot after Liverpool moved to within two points of Chelsea following their master class at the Emirates.
Liverpool showed why they are the defending champions of the Premier League after a dazzling second half display at Arsenal.
After a cagey first half which provided no goals from Jürgen Klopp nor Mikel Arteta’s side, Klopp threw in Diogo Jota who was in superb form following the international break.
Jota’s introduction proved to be the difference.
The Portguese headed Liverpool in front four minutes after the hour mark following an outstanding cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Mohammed Salah brezzed past the Arsenal defence to double Liverpool’s tally four minutes later.
Diogo Jota sealed the points after he capitalised on a defensive scramble from Arsenal.
Liverpool moved to fifth on the standings as they seek a late surge to qualify for Europe’s premiere club competition while Arsenal’s attention may turn towards winning the Europa League to be in the Champions League as they remain ninth on the log.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United moved into the top half of the standings following a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Elland Road.
Jack Harrison opened the scoring for Leeds after tapping into an unguarded net following superb work from Raphinha.
Sheffield United equalised on the stroke of halftime through Ben Osborn but an own goal from Phil Jagielka handed Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield their 24th Premier League loss of the season as they remain bottom of the standings.
Results.Chelsea 2 – 5 West BromLeeds United 2 – 1 Sheffield UnitedLeicester City 0 – 2 Manchester CityArsenal 0 – 3 Liverpool