West Bromich Albion 1 v 0 Manchester United
Juan Mata’s unprofessionalism cost United dearly as West Brom earned their first home league win against Manchester United for 32 years, thanks to Mata getting himself sent off after 30 minutes of the game. Albion created little until Rondon found space to fire in Sebastien Pocognoli’s dangerous left-wing cross.
The Red Devils are now sixth in the Premier League table, victory moved Albion up to 11th, their tally of 39 points almost certainly securing top-flight survival for a sixth successive season.
Click here for the sending off and the goal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01kmwvGoTGY
Tottenham 2 v 2 Arsenal
I was at White Hart Lane , where Spurs had the opportunity to top of the league if they could defeat arch rivals Arsenal,
Spurs dominated the opening exchanges but could not create any clear cut opportunities, against the run of play Aaron Ramsey produced a moment of magic when he back flicked the ball into the Spurs net. Arsenal started the secoind half with more vigour, but only seven minutes into the half, Arsenal’s Francis Coquelin was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Harry Kane, leaving the door open for Spurs to respond with two quick goals, Toby Alderweireld scored at the far post before Kane curled in a magnificent angled right-foot finish after 62 minutes to put Spurs in command. The game should have been over at this stage but Arsenal refused to back down and equalised 14 minutes from time when Arsenal’s main threat Sanchez found space and fired his shot into the far corner. Arsenal’s stand in keeper David Ospina, in for the injured Petr Cech, was the hero of the day for Arsenal denying Erik Lamela, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfiHVPJ6YP0
Crystal Palace 1 v 2 Liverpool
An injury time penalty by Christian Benteke gave 10-man Liverpool a dramatic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Benteke went down easily following a challenge by Damien Delaney and got up to coolly score the spot-kick.
Palace led through Joe Ledley’s 48th-minute finish but Liverpool looked to be in danger of defeat when James Milner was sent off for a second yellow card on 62 minutes, but Firmino equalised and Benteke finished the Eagles off. This defeat leaves Alan Pardew’s men without a win in 12 Premier League matches.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_MzlRM6NgM
Chelsea 1 v 1 Stoke City
Chelsea continue their unbeaten run under new manager Guus Hiddink, but threw away their lead to only take one point from the game, Bertrand Traore, gave the Blues the lead when he fired home from 20 yards out, Stoke deservedly levelled when Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross was punched by Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois to Diouf, who headed into an empty net.
Stoke remain seventh in the table, with Chelsea 10th – three points behind them.
Everton 2 v 3 West Ham United
This was probably the most exciting game of the weekend, Romelu Lukaku fired Everton into the lead before Everton were reduced to ten men when Kevin Mirallas picked up a second yellow before half-time, Aaron Lennon prodded home to double the lead, them Everton got a penalty to finish off the game, but Lukaku’s poor penalty was saved by Adrian, this was the turning point in the game, Michail Antonio and Diafro Sakho each scored a header, before Payet pounced for to give the Hammers all three points.
West Ham are now fifth in the table, whilst Everton have now lost three of their past four league games at home and stay 11th.
Manchester City 4 v 0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa are an easy target at the moment, they hardly seemed to draw a sweat as Manchester City kept their title hopes alive by scoring four second-half goals to demoralise Villa. Bottom side Villa kept them at bay until the 48th minute, when Yaya Toure turned home David Silva’s pass, then Sergio Aguero made it 2-0 soon after, before Aguero exchanged passes with Silva to fire home a third, Raheem Sterling scored City’s fourth before Aguero had the luxury of being able to miss a late penalty, without any effect on the result.
Click here for the goals – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD2qb6VtN0E
Newcastle 1 v 3 Bournemouth
Newcastle’s Premier League survival hopes suffered a fresh blow with a damaging home defeat by Bournemouth, manager Steve McClaren is now hanging on to his position by a very thin thread and may well be sacked before Newcastle kick another ball.
Magpies defender Steven Taylor diverted the ball into his own net to give Bournemouth a 28th-minute lead.
Joshua King smashed in for 2-0 before Ayoze Perez pulled a goal back, but Charlie Daniels drilled in a late third to give the Cherries a deserved win and leave the Magpies faithful furious at the position the club find themselves in.
Southampton 1 v 1 Sunderland
Ex Spurs player Jermaine Defoe looked to have given Sunderland all three points in their fight against relegation before Virgil van Dijk snatched a stoppage-time equaliser for 10-man Southampton, Saints’ Jose Fonte was sent off for hauling down Fabio Borini when the Italian was through on goal, Jermain Defoe put the visitors ahead but Van Dijk still found space in the area to fire in from 12 yards out.
Swansea 1 v 0 Norwich
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s neat finish, was enough to move Swansea City nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone
Norwich remain in the relegation zone and are without a win in 10 matches in all competitions.
Swansea have now secured back-to-back league victories after their momentus win over Arsenal at the Emirates last week.
Watford 0 v 1 Leicester City
I was concerned for Leicester fans this week after two well below par performances in their last two games, but in a tricky encounter at Watford they beat them to move five points clear at the top of the table as Riyad Mahrez scored his 15th Premier League goal of the season, Watford had their chances but failed to convert them, leaving Leicester still dominating the top of the table.
Every neutral fan is cheering on Leicester, as it has been an amazing season for them, after finishing last season dicing with relegation, they were the pundits favourites to be relegated this year, however their team commitment to the cause and Jamie Vardy’s goals have brought them to the brink of the unthinkable, can they maintain their composure for the last nine games of the season, if they do, there will not only be celebrations in Leicester but in every neutrals household.
Click here for the goal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUzQknWt94g
My Premier League Predictions
I did well this week predicting six correct results and one correct score this week
Week 30 Predictions :-
Norwich 1 v 2 Man City
Bournemouth 2 v 1 Swansea
Stoke 2 v 1 Southampton
Arsenal 2 v 1 West Brom
Aston Villa 1 v 3 Tottenham
Leicester 3 v 1 Newcastle
My FA Cup Quarter Final Predictions :-
Reading 2 v 1 Crystal Palace
Everton 1 v 2 Chelsea
Arsenal or Hull 2 v 1 Watford
Manchester United 2 v 1 West Ham United
Have a good week
Gary