Following an action-packed Gameweek 27 of the Premier League, here at the Hard Tackle, we look at how clubs like Liverpool were handed a stern reality check and the likes of Arsenal and Everton emerged as the big winners.
The 2022/23 Premier League season is now at the business end and clubs Like Arsenal and Manchester City continue their push for the title. On the other hand, the relegation battle continues to heat up with as many as nine clubs in and around the bottom three.
It's getting ever so tight at the foot of the table 😬 pic.twitter.com/i6e9qNL0ZS
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 12, 2023
Meanwhile, the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur continue their push for Champions League qualification after a slip-up from Liverpool.
The Reds crashed to a 1-0 defeat against relegation fodder Bournemouth in an early kick-off on Saturday.
Despite having a number of chances to get back on level terms and perhaps win the game, Liverpool failed to get the job done away from home once again.
Elsewhere, Everton boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Brentford at home. The win lifts the Toffees up to 15th in the league table one point clear of the drop zone. Dwight McNeil scored in the first minute of the game and Sean Dyche’s men managed to hold on to their advantage until the end.
Arsenal opened up at a five-point gap at the top of the table with a 3-0 win away from home against London rivals Fulham. Gabriel Martinelli’s brace and Martin Odegaard’s strike at half-time sealed the three points for the league leaders.
Five-point gap restored at the 🔝 #FULARS | @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/npnwi5gQcf
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 12, 2023
Meanwhile, Manchester United failed to return to winning ways after their mauling against Liverpool. The Red Devils were held to a goalless draw at home to Southampton.
Tottenham emerged as big winners at the weekend with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. The London club have now opened up a four-point gap with their closest top-four rivals Newcastle who are in 5th place.
In the other games, Newcastle picked up a 2-1 win over Wolves, Leeds battled out a 2-2 draw against Brighton, West Ham played out a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa and Manchester City kept up pace with Arsenal with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
How did your team get on this weekend? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/aSCHoCGZhL
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 12, 2023
Winners
Arsenal
The Gunners picked up a comfortable 3-0 away win against Fulham with Gabriel Martinelli scoring twice and captain Martin Odegaard on the scoresheet as well.
Arsenal managed to score all three goals in the first half and they managed to hold on to their advantage until the end. January signing Leandro Trossard managed to set up all three goals for the Gunners.
Embed from Getty Images
Arsenal are now five points clear at the top of the table and they will fancy their chances of going all the way this season. Mikel Arteta will be delighted that his side avoided a slip-up against a high-flying Fulham side.
Everton
The Toffees are in desperate need of wins right now and they will be delighted to have picked up a 1-0 win at home against Brentford.
It was a hard-fought affair for the home side but Dwight McNeil’s strike in the first minute was enough for them to grind out a priceless result against the bees.
Brentford had opportunities to level the score and get something out of the game, but they failed to find the back of the net, ending their 12-match unbeaten run in the league.
Everton are now 15th in the league table and they will be hoping to pull further clear of the relegation zone in the coming weeks.
Tottenham
Spurs picked up a comfortable 3-1 home win over Nottingham Forest thanks to a brace from Harry Kane and a second-half strike from Son Heung-Min.
Nottingham Forest scored a consolation goal late in the game through Joe Worrall.
The win over Forest could prove to be a vital one as far as the top four race is concerned. With rivals Liverpool dropping points, Tottenham have now opened up a six-point gap with the Reds. They are now four points clear of Newcastle as well.
Antonio Conte will be desperate to get his side into the Champions League next season and the Italian will be delighted that his side managed to take advantage of a poor performance from their rivals.
Losers
Liverpool
At the start of the game, Liverpool were three points behind Tottenham who are currently in 4th place. The Reds had a game in hand and they could have easily moved into the top four with a victory against a lowly Bournemouth side. However, Liverpool squandered they are advantage and crashed to a 1-0 defeat at the Vitality stadium.
Liverpool had opportunities to get on the score sheet but they lacked cutting edge in the final third and Mohamed Salah missed a vital penalty late on in the game. Philip Billing scored the only goal of the game in the 28th minute.
The defeat against the Cherries leaves Liverpool in 6th place, six points adrift of the top four. With the number of tough fixtures coming their way, the defeat against Bournemouth could prove to be extremely damaging as far as their top-four chances are concerned.
Manchester United
The Red Devils were being considered as outsiders in the title race but their performance in the last two matches has surely ended any chance of catching up with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Manchester United came into the game against Southampton on the back of a crushing defeat against Liverpool and they failed to get on the score sheet against the Saints as well.
Southampton are at the bottom of the table and they are fighting for their place in the Premier League next season. The point gained at Old Trafford could prove to be a valuable one for them at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are just two points clear of Tottenham now and they will need to bounce back quickly if they want to hold on to their place in the top three.
Leicester City
The Foxes crashed to a 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea and they find themselves 16th in the league table. Brendan Rodgers’s side are only out of the bottom three on goal difference and they have now crashed to a fourth consecutive league defeat.
Leicester are in real danger of going down this season and the Foxes will have to get their act together quickly.
Ben Chilwell opened the scoring for the Blues but Leicester responded well with Patson Daka scoring in the 39th minute. Kai Havertz scored during the first half added time and Mateo Kovacic wrapped up the points with a goal in the 78th minute.
