After a weekend full of drama and surprise results, the fight for European places is still very much alive.
City had to keep the champagne on ice after being beaten at home by Chelsea, with Manchester United keeping their slim title hopes alive with an impressive away win at Villa Park.
Liverpool beat Southampton as expected, but Leicester, Tottenham and West Ham all managed to lose their must-win fixtures.
West Ham’s top four hopes killed off
It had all been going so well for West Ham, but while they had been loftily dreaming of Champions League football, this was the day those dreams were probably dashed.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the winning goal in the 24th minute as he latched onto a Ben Godfrey’s pass to steer his shot beyond Lukasz Fabianski.
West Ham never looked likely of turning the game around, and looked like the schedule had finally caught up with them. In the end, it was a hard-fought victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, which kept Everton firmly in the hunt for a European place.
What does it mean?
West Ham are now five points behind Leicester in fourth, but much more alarmingly, are only one point ahead of Liverpool in sixth, who have a game in hand.
This was a must win game for Everton, with victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s men putting them in 8th place, just three points behind fifth and with a game in hand on both Spurs and West Ham. Only Man City have more away wins than Everton.
Spurs’ top-four hopes killed off
In-form Leeds United continued their fantastic home record against the ‘Big six’, and ended Tottenham’s top-four hopes with a 3-1 victory at Elland Road.
Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas put the home team ahead in the 13th minute with his 8th goal of the season, pouncing from close range after Hugo Lloris had made a superb save.
Spurs hit back 12 minutes later through Son Heung-min after a clever pass from England star Deli Alli.
Leeds though were the better side and it was Patrick Bamford who put them in the lead again in the 42nd minute, scoring his 15 goal of the season in front of England manager Gareth Southgate.
Substitute Rodrigo sealed the win in the 84th minute, condemning Ryan Mason to his first league defeat as interim manager.
What does it mean?
Spurs no longer stand any realistic chance of Champions League football. They now sit in 7th place, two points behind West Ham in fifth.
Leeds are in fine form and are now in 10th place on 50 points. Bielsa has had an excellent first season in the Premier League as Leeds manager.
Aguero left to rue ‘Panenka’ penalty
This was the game where Manchester City could have been crowned champions, whilst also inflicting a psychological blow on Chelsea before their Champions League final. In the end they did neither.
City took the lead just before half-time with Raheem Sterling on hand to follow up after after Sergio Aguero failed to finish first-time into an empty net.
Moments later the match should have been ended when City were awarded a penalty after a foul on Gabriel Jesus. The soon to be departing Sergio Aguero tried a ‘Panenka’ but it was easily saved by Edouard Mendy.
The mistake was to prove incredibly costly as Chelsea came out fighting in the second half.
Chelsea brought things level when Cesar Azpilicueta set up Hakim Ziyech to fire home from the edge of the box in the 63rd minute.
From then on it was Chelsea who looked the stronger, with the visitors having two goals ruled out for offside. Thomas Tuchel’s men took all three points when Marcos Alonso’s miscued attempt in stoppage time beat the sprawling Ederson after a smart pull-back by Timo Werner.
What does it mean?
Manchester City still only need three points from their last three games to be crowned champions and it will take nothing short of a miracle for it not to happen. They could be confirmed as champions as early as Tuesday, if Man United don’t beat Leicester.
Chelsea have now leapfrogged Leicester into third and look sure of a top four place.
Chelsea can take encouragement going into the Champions League final that they have beaten City twice this season under Tuchel.
Liverpool back in the hunt
In a game Liverpool were expected to win, they defeated Southampton 2-0 and kept their top four hopes alive.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring with a header against his former employees after Liverpool keeper Allison had been forced into two back-to-back saves in the 31st minute.
Southampton though far from gave up and were unlucky not to equalise late in the match after a mistake by the Liverpool keeper gifted Che Adams the chance to equalize.
Thiago was to settle the match in added time with not only his first goal for the club, but also Jurgen Klopp’s 100th win at Anfield.
What does it mean?
Liverpool are now in sixth place, six points behind Leicester in fourth, but have a game in hand.
Southampton stay in 16th place, ensured of Premier League survival and seemingly just waiting for it all to be over after a woeful 2021.
Deja vu for Leicester?
It couldn’t happen again could it? Leicester, after being in the top four all season, may be losing their nerve.
A shambolic 4-2 defeat at the King Power Stadium, a result that drops them to fourth, puts them under real pressure. Jonny Evans’ injury in the warm-up seemed to unnerve the defence as the defence crumbled without the experienced defender.
After a mistake from Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu, Joe Willock pounced to put the visitors ahead.
Paul Dummett doubled their lead in the 34th minute, heading from a corner, before a Callum Wilson brace put the Magpies 4-0 up and in total control.
Leicester managed to salvage some dignity with goals from Marc Albrighton and Kelechi Iheanacho in the last 10 minutes, but it was too little too late from the Foxes.
What does it mean?
Leicester have a tough run-in including games against Manchester United and Chelsea. However, they will hope Man United will field a weakened side due to fixture congestion.
They remain five points ahead of West Ham in fifth, but it is Liverpool who are now their main rivals for a top-four place.
Newcastle are now in 14th place with Steve Bruce’s men now assured of another season of Premier League football.
Featured image: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
