2018-19 Premier League: Week 24 Roundup

Liverpool remain top of the Premier League following a dramatic midweek round full of shocks. 

Tuesday night saw Manchester City’s title hopes take what looked set to be a huge dent, after goals from Solomon Rondon and Matt Ritchie saw Newcastle come from behind to cancel out Sergio Aguero’s first minute opener.

The defeat not only ended City’s 22 match unbeaten run over the Magpies but meant Liverpool could move seven points clear if beat Leicester 24 hours later. 

Sadio Mane gave the Reds the perfect start after three minutes after playing a nice 1-2 with Andrew Robertson, as he cut into box before bending a neat ball beyond a helpless Kasper Schmeichel. 

Leicester then proceeded to test Liverpool’s resolve throughout first half and got their reward in injury time, when James Maddison’s free-kick was only cleared out to Ben Chilwell who chipped ball back in for Harry Maguire to rifle home from close range. 

The second half saw both teams waste chances with Demarai Gray going closest on a counterattack, only to fire straight at Alisson who made comfortable save as the match finished 1-1 to leave the Reds five points clear of Man City. 

Tottenham remain third and now sit seven points behind Liverpool, after a late comeback through Son Heung-min and Fernando Llorente saw off Watford, who initially led through Craig Cathcart’s effort.

Chelsea entered the round in fourth place but faced a tricky test against Bournemouth at the Vitaly Stadium in a pivotal match, concerning the European hopes of both teams.

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A tight first half saw both teams fail to take chances but Bournemouth came flying out of blocks after the break with a nicely worked team goal just two minutes into second half, when Joshua King smashed in David Brooks’ pass having initially created the goal with a pass to Ryan Fraser who then found Brooks.  

Brooks then got on the scoreboard after a composed left footed strike from King’s long direct pass.

King then netted his second just eleven minutes later after a brilliant through ball from Nathaniel Clyne found Junior Stanislas who set up King up for another smash but this time into top right. 

Charlie Daniels completed the demolition to condemn Chelsea to their worst league loss since 1996 with an injury-time header.

The Blues also dropped out of top four on goal difference after Arsenal beat third bottom, Cardiff City 2-1 on an emotional night as the Bluebirds played for the first time since the tragic events surrounding new signing, Emiliano Sala.

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Down at bottom, Huddersfield continue to prop up the table after Richarlison’s ….. handed Everton victory in Jan Siewert’s first game as the Terriers’ new manager. 

Fulham meanwhile remain in 19th position but moved closer towards safety after a four goal second half blitz saw them overturn a 2-0 half-time deflict, as they beat Brighton 4-2. 

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Elsewhere, Manchester United’s eight match winning run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was ended in a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley. Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood had put the Clarets on course for victory until late goals from Paul Pogba and Victor Lindelof  ensured that the points were shared.

Wolves meanwhile saw off West Ham 3-0 to move into seventh through strikes from Romain Saiss and Raul Jimenez, who collected his brace in the final ten minutes. 

Finally Southampton held Crystal Palace to a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams four points clear but just two positions above the relegation zone. 

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