No team came away feeling better about its title chances after a weekend of weird Premier League results than first-place Chelsea.
Even before comfortably beating bottom-dwellers Hull 2-0 on Sunday, Antonio Conte’s side had reason to celebrate: Only one other member of the league’s vaunted top six — Arsenal — managed a win.
The weekend of slip-ups started with Saturday’s first game, Liverpool versus Swansea. Without star winger Sadio Mané and center-back Joël Matip, both of whom were unavailable because of the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool lost 3-2 to the league’s worst team. Jürgen Klopp’s defense repeatedly reminded fans why it’s the club’s biggest question mark.
Up next were Manchester United, who needed a stunning 94th-minute free-kick goal from Wayne Rooney — which also made him the club’s record scorer — to salvage a point against Stoke. Just like when the teams last met in October, United dominated possession and had far more shots, but neither stat matters when you can’t convert in front of goal and gift your opponents an easy tally (via an own goal from Juan Mata). José Mourinho’s men aren’t serious title challengers, but at least the result keeps them in sight of the top four.
And they were able to keep pace because the weekend’s marquee matchup between Manchester City and Tottenham ended up knotted at 2-2. A week after they were torn apart by Everton, the Citizens needed a win and looked on pace to get one thanks to two howlers from Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris that put them up 2-0 after 54 minutes. But scoring goals hasn’t been City’s problem this year, keeping them out has. And sure enough Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son scored to support to Pep Guardiola’s claim that his team is out of the title chase.
It looked as if Arsenal would be the fifth member of the top six to drop points. Burnley converted a penalty — one that so enraged Arsene Wenger that he pushed the fourth official — to tie up the game in the 92nd minute. But they were awarded a penalty of their own five minutes later — iffy at best, as Laurent Koscielny looked offside when he took a high kick to the face. Arsenal couldn’t have cared less after Alexis Sanchez converted it to give them a valuable 2-1 win.
This left next to no pressure on Chelsea when their game kicked off. Get a draw and a team with one of the league’s best offenses and one of its best defenses would be six points up. Get a win and that lead would grow to eight.
Although Hull were able to keep a threatening Blues side at bay for much of the first half, Diego Costa completed his return from short-lived exile — he had tried to force a move to China — by sweeping home a goal late in first-half stoppage time. In the 80th, Gary Cahill emphatically slammed home a header to ensure victory for the home side.
On a weekend when the rest of the top six struggled to get points, Chelsea showed why it has built such a commanding lead with 16 games left. No matter who they’re up against, whether it be Arsenal or Sunderland, Conte’s club has been consistent. Sure, Chelsea will drop points between now and the end of the season, but who can make them pay? – B.H.
New players give Swansea fans reason to hope
Swansea City don’t necessarily look like a different team under new manager Paul Clement, but they finally played some actual defense in their thrilling 3-2 upset against Liverpool. That and the arrival of two players mean the Welsh team is no longer a lock to be relegated.
The Swans limited Liverpool’s electric attack to just five shots on target. Though they gave up two goals, that’s below their league-worst goals-against average of 2.32 per game. Even incremental progress is progress.
What was even more encouraging was the performance of newcomers Martin Olsson and Tom Carroll, especially considering one started the season in the Championship and the other was riding the bench with Tottenham.
Olsson’s a veteran left back who has experience fighting for promotion — and relegation — that could come in handy down the stretch. Although he was beaten by Roberto Firmino twice, he made up for it going forward, something the Swans have lacked all season from their full backs. His effort up and down the left flank was valuable all game long and helped contribute to the second goal. Carroll, who made just one appearance for Tottenham this season, could be the missing playmaker Swansea desperately need. Once considered a promising young talent, the 24-year-old looked sharp playing centrally, and his beautiful cross allowed Fernando Llorente to score the Swans’ second goal.
What Carroll and Olsson displayed on Saturday was hunger and desire, something previous coach Bob Bradley could never find during his short time at Swansea. If this proves to be contagious, the team just might be able to avoid relegation. – K.S.
Goal of the Week
Not only did Rooney earn his team a precious point against Stoke with his 94th minute free-kick goal, he topped Sir Bobby Charlton as Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer with his 250th goal for the club. Positioned to the left of goal just outside the box, the forward’s Beckham-esque kick whizzed over the line of clashing big men and went untouched into the far back corner of the net shortly before the end of stoppage time. Rooney’s gotten abuse from both opponents and fans this season, but as Mourinho pointed out after the match, he’s clearly a legend now.
Card of the Week
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka likes to play rough, and it almost cost his team two points when his studs-up challenge on Burnley’s Steven Defour earned him a warranted red card. It was the Swiss midfielder’s second red of the season, adding to his shockingly high tally of nine reds in the last three seasons. It could be the most costly one yet: The Switzerland international is looking at a four-game suspension during a pivotal stretch for the Gunners.
Post’s Premier League Rankings
Liverpool can’t overcome some key absences, Everton builds on last week’s big win and Leicester find themselves in a genuine relegation battle just one year after winning the league.
1. Chelsea (1)
2. Tottenham (2)
3. Arsenal (4)
4. Liverpool (3)
5. Manchester United (5)
6. Manchester City (6)
7. Everton (7)
8. Stoke (8)
9. West Brom (9)
10. West Ham (12)
11. Southampton (13)
12. Burnley (10)
13. Bournemouth (11)
14. Watford (14)
15. Middlesbrough (16)
16. Leicester (15)
17. Hull City (17)
18. Swansea City (20)
19. Crystal Palace (18)
20. Sunderland (19)