EPL round-up: Chelsea and United falter, Liverpool win big
April marks the beginning of the business end of the European football season. From Spain's El Clasico to the Der Klassiker in Germany and some mouth-watering Champions League clashes, there are some real surprises in store, and if the first Premier League match-day is anything to go by, this month is going to be an absolute cracker.
Liverpool paint the town Red with Everton thrashing
Coutinho and Co were on song again in the 228th Merseyside derby with their 3-1 win over in-form Everton. Ronald Koeman's side was in fine form since the turn of the year, losing just once and cutting the gap on their neighbours to just six points. Such was the form of their attacking talents Lukaku (21 goals) and Barkley (7 assists), that a first win at Anfield since 1999 would've placed them in the race for Top 4.
Things started poorly when Reds' top scorer Sadio Mané opened the scoring, as he has done so often, with an early goal. The toffees did well to equalise, however, when rookie Matthew Pennington, who was handed a shock start in the three-man defence, prodded home from Jagielka's flick on in front of the Kop.
The home fans weren't silent for long though as Coutinho, under fire for poor performances since his injury return, scored a typically delightful curled effort after beating Gueye and Pennington with some smart feet to restore the lead.
The little Brazilian then played through Divock Origi who obliged with a powerful drive for 3-1 on the hour to make Jürgen Klopp the first Liverpool manager to win his first three derbies.
From now till the end of the season, Liverpool face teams 8th or lower while the rest of their Top 6 rivals play each other. What may seem like a considerable advantage for others, matches against lesser opposition is exactly where Liverpool have come unstuck.
The race for Europe is on, and very much in their hands.
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| Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring a goal. Photo: Reuters |
Chelsea, United the April fools
Crystal Palace battled on in their fight for survival with the unlikeliest of wins away to Chelsea. What was expected to be a straightforward three points for Antonio Conte's side turned into a nightmarish afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Things started out well enough, when Cesc Fàbregas slotted home Hazard's low cross to give his side the lead inside five minutes. What followed was Chelsea's seemingly impenetrable defence caught out first by Wilfred Zaha and then Eagles' top scorer Christian Benteke, inside the space of two minutes.
Reeling from this double blow at the end of a frantic opening 15 minutes, the Blues piled on the pressure on the Palace goal but couldn't breach it as Sam Allardyce's nous and experience came to the fore once again to guide his side over the line.
The absence of Victor Moses, so often a peripheral figure in Cheslea's title charge, was sorely felt as Conte had to adjust his 3-4-3 to account for the Nigerian. While Pedro, his makeshift replacement, was heavily involved in everything good down the right hand side, he was unable to make up for Moses's tireless work ethic and the lack of defensive cover was fully exploited by Allardyce's men.
At Old Trafford, it was another drab draw in all too familiar fashion for Manchester United. Everyone knew what to expect from Tony Pulis's visiting West Brom side and they stayed true to style with a backs-to-the-wall performance that United could find no way past as the game ended 0-0.
This all too familiar lack of cutting edge, even in the absence of the likes of Ibrahimovic, Pogba and Herrera meant United gave up more ground in the race for the Champions League.
Arsenal and City cancel each other out
The 2-2 draw at the Emirates was everything it promised to be - fast, frenetic and goal laden. Both Wenger and Guardiola were under pressure for different reasons - the Frenchman more than ever - and decided to go for the win the only way they know how, matching fire with fire.
The rapid Leroy Sané, as he has done so often recently, dashed through the inside left flank and rounded the 'keeper to give the visitors the lead inside 5 minutes. Arsenal hit back and dominated play thereafter but for a few scares from City and were rewarded when Walcott bundled the ball over the line after poor defending to make it 1-1.
The Emirates found its voice again, only to be silenced soon after. Kun Agüero put his side back in front just two minutes later, on the cusp of halftime. Trailing at the break, Wenger was fast running out of time and options as the atmosphere inside the stadium turned toxic.
Arsenal raced out of the blocks at the start of the second period and what was their weakness at the Hawthorns a fortnight ago became their strength when Mustafi rose to flick Mesut Ozil's corner beyond a sprawling Caballero into the City net.
With the score at 2-2, the last half hour saw the game get stretched with a smattering of chances at either end. Both managers threw on substitutes in search of the three points but the honours were, deservedly, even.
Attacking verve overshadowed by defensive frailties, this was a point that did neither side any good.