Watford recorded a shock win over Arsenal courtesy of an excellent first half performance at the Emirates. The Hornets had the better of the opening stages, and took a shock lead when Kaboul’s long-range free-kick deflected off Ramsey and flew past Cech.
Just moments later Deeney doubled the lead, tapping into the empty net after wonderful play from Capoue. The Gunners were losing every tackle and failing to play simple passes, and only Cech denied Janmaat a third goal.
Wenger’s half-time words clearly had an impact though, as the hosts came out after the break dominant; it took just 13 minutes for Iwobi to pull one back. However, the defiant Hornets held firm, claiming all three points in their first win since December.
Diego Costa had a penalty saved as Chelsea wasted the chance to beat Liverpool at Anfield. The hosts controlled the first passages of play, and looked likely to take a well-deserved lead through either Coutinho or Wijnaldum – both forcing saves from Courtois.
However, Chelsea opened the scoring against the run of play, David Luiz firing a wonderful free-kick past Mignolet – who appeared to not be ready for the set-piece to be taken.
They held onto the lead until the 58th minute, when Wijnaldum headed Milner’s deflected cross past Courtois from close range. Costa was brought down in the area by Matip, but saw his poor penalty saved by Mignolet – making up for his earlier error. The scoreline did not change before the final whistle was blown, and the Blues ended the night nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Sam Allardyce won his first league game as Crystal Palace boss by downing Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Both sides had chances in the first half, Zaha hitting the post for Palace just minutes after kick-off, and Stanislas going close with a powerful drive.
But neither defence was breached until the second period, Dann sidefooting home from close range after Delaney flicked on a cross. The Cherries pushed for an equaliser for much of the second half, and when Palace were hanging on for the win, Townsend set up Benteke to head home and make safe the victory.
Sam Vokes scored a last-gasp winner for Burnley as they moved into the top half of the table with a win over Leicester. Although it was a goalless first half, Burnley had the better of the play for much of the opening 45 minutes. And they continued this dominance after the restart, Barton fizzing an effort just wide early in the second half. Mee also went close as the Clarets kept pressing for the opening goal, and with just three minutes remaining, Vokes converting from close range – despite calls for a handball against the Welshman.
The points were shared at the Riverside with Middlesbrough and West Brom playing out a 1-1 draw. Morrison put the Baggies in front early on, firing in a low drive from 20 yards after Boro failed to clear a corner.
The visitors were all over their opponents, but McAuley brought down Negredo in the box, and the Spaniard converted the resulting penalty to level the tie against the run of play.
Karanka’s men looked the better side as the half wore on, Foster having to clear from Nyom when it looked like the defender would score an own goal. Phillips hit the post as West Brom chased a second goal in the early stages of the second half, with Brunt and de Roon also going close for both teams – who ended up sharing the spoils on Teesside.
Tottenham Hotspur moved into second despite only playing out a 0-0 draw with relegation strugglers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats were lucky to still have all 11 men on the pitch at half time – Jack Rodwell avoiding a red card after two reckless challenges.
Spurs dominated the game without ever seriously threatening to score, whilst Sunderland looked dangerous on the break. Pochettino’s men never really got into their stride, but he will feel it was two points dropped on Wearside.
Swansea’s fine form under Paul Clement continued with a superb 2-1 win over Southampton. It took time for the hosts to grow into a in which Southampton controlled early on, but a textbook set-piece saw the hosts take the lead; Mawson heading Sigurdsson’s left-sided corner home at the near post.
The goal gave Swansea renewed confidence, and they ended the first half on the front foot – Sigurdsson forcing a save from Forster. But the Saints levelled soon after the break, Long turning home Bertrand’s low cross, although they found themselves behind just after 10 minutes later when Sigurdsson scored. There were no further changes to the score, and Swansea ended the day two points above the relegation zone.
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