EPL Review: Goals Aplenty, Tantrum and Goals

There are no surprises as the EPL played its week 14 matches this weekend.
DSB Sports reviewed the tussle between teams which saw Crystal Palace winning big at home and snatching all three points.

Diego Costa throwing tantrums and Jamie Vardy making records surpassing Van Nistelrooy records of 11 goals scored in eleven straight consecutive matches.
It was as usual a dramatic week with Goals aplenty, drama and controversies.

Leicester vs Manchester United

LEICESTER 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED

Jamie Vardy is now the EPL record holder for scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches by netting Leicester’s only goal, earning his team a draw with United having the better of the possessions without creating many clear cut opportunities.

The Foxes lead came in the 24^th minute with a swift counter attack from a United corner, with Vardy firing a low shot beyond the reach of United’s goalkeeper, David De Gea, from Fuch’s release in the United penalty area.

Bastian Schweisteiger equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half time when found by a Juan Mata’s corner before heading past Schmeichel.

The draw left Leicester in second and United a point behind in third in the table.

Martin Olsson of Norwich City is chased by Hector Bellerin of Arsenal. Credit: Getty Images

NORWICH CITY 1-1 ARSENAL

Arsenal’s reliance on Sanchez was exposed as the team found it difficult to negotiate their way past a resolute and sometimes adventurous Norwich, with the home team holding on to a draw.

Arsenal looked by far the better team in the opening 40minutes, as they took the lead through Mesut Ozil’s fourth goal of the season but suffered a few moments to forget when an error from Gabiel, who replaced the injured Koscielny enabled Lewis Grabban to equalise

The home team finished the stronger of the teams with a couple of chances to seal all the three points, all be it after losing two of their star players to muscular injuries –Alex Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny, giving Norwich the perfect pick me up after a run of five defeats in six games.

Sundrland vs Stoke City. Credit: Getty Images

SUNDERLAND 2-0 STOKE

The Black Cats recorded their second victory in a week to move out of the relegation zone for the first time this season. After Monday’s win at Crystal Palace, Sunderland had to be patient to sink dogged Stoke who had not conceded a goal in four matches prior to their visit to the Stadium of Light, played for long period with 10 men after the sending off of Ryan Shawcross, with two late goals.

Patrick Van Aanholt broke the deadlock in the 82^nd minute, while Duncan Whitmore added the second goal three minutes later. Sam Allardyse appointment as the manager just six weeks ago is proving a masterstroke by the board.

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle. Credit Getty Images

CRYSTAL PALACE 5-1 NEWCASTLE
A brace apiece for Yannick Bolasie and James McArthur, added to by Wilfred Zaha ensured Palace demolition of Newcastle despite going a goal behind through Papiss Cisse.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew was a picture of delight with the way his new team outclassed his old team, leaving the current Magpies manager Steve McLaren’s future in the mire.
It could have been more, and the fact that the spanking was inflicted by their former manager compounded the humiliation, putting Newcastle back in the relegation zone.

Manchester city vs Southampton

MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON

Sergio Aguero’s injury is the only blight in swatting aside Southampton at the Etihad. Its been a tough week after the defeats to Liverpool and Juventus but this victory was emphatic.

Sterling laid the pass for Kevin De Bruyne to brake the deadlock, who later provided the assist for Kolarov’s clincher. Fabian Delph’s maiden competitive start produced a goal to his obvious delight, moving City back to the head of the summit.

Ighalo on the ball for Watford. Credit: PA

ASTON VILLA 2-3 WATFORD

Odion Ighalo scored his eight goal of the season to help Watford beat Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The match was mared by the Watford goalkeeper been taken to hospital after suffering a neck injury and concussion in a collision with teammate Craig Cathcart.

Troy Deeney and Alan Hutton’s own goal secured all three points for the Hornets.

Kane on the ball for Tottenham. Credit: Getty Images

TOTTENHAM 0-0 CHELSEA

Chelsea were lucky to leave the White Hart Lane with a draw as Spurs had the better of the chances, extending their unbeaten run in the process but failed to find fluency to compound Chelsea woes.

The match will most likely be remembered for Diego Costa’s tantrum in throwing his bib at his manager for leaving him to stew among the substitutes. Considering Chelsea did not have any other fit striker, this amounted to a public humiliation, especially after instructing him to warm up, for him to use Kennedy and Loftus-Cheek in his substitutions, which rendered Mourinho’s “kiss and Cuddles” statement last week a damage limitation exercise.

Chelsea will be the more satisfied of the two teams because this was their first clean sheet away from Stamford Bridge all season.

Sakho on the ball for West Ham. Credit: Getty Images

WEST HAM 1-1 WEST BROM

This was a typical never say die attitude of a Tony Pulis team who fought back doggedly to earn a point at Upton park. West Brom were lucky to be trailing 1-0 at half time, but the inclusion of Rickie Lambert in the second half prompting a change in formation with his shot from 20 yards deflecting off Winston Reid and into the net.

West Ham took the lead with Zarate’s 25 yard free-kick.

Bournemouth vs everton. Credit: AFP

BOURNEMOUTH 3-3 EVERTON

The home team fought from 2-0 down to earn a well deserved draw against Everton. The toffees thought they had stolen the match with an injury time goal from Ross Barkley giving them a 3-2 lead, only for Junior Slanislav to rescue a point for the hosts with a strike in the eighth minute of injury time.

Everton played the better football in the first half which they were not able to maintain in the second half and the credit has to go to the home team who fought back brilliantly to earn a valuable point.