21/22 Premier League Title Race and Top 4

Last weekend saw some massive implications for both the title race and the race for top 4. It started with Liverpool hosting Tottenham, both teams just slightly behind their competition for 1st and 4th, so both in need of the three points. After an uneventful first half, the second half brought more action with Spurs taking the lead in the 56th minute through Heugh-Min Son after quickly tapping in a beautiful cross from Ryan Sessegnon. For 20 minutes Man City fans were thrilled, and Arsenal fans worried, but then Liverpool levelled in the form of Luis Diaz’s strike towards goal, which was deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur, the game ended 1-1 with each team taking a point. This will have been quite a blow to both teams with their rivals so close and able to pick up more points over the weekend.

Manchester City v Newcastle did not start off well for the magpies, going 2-0 down in the first half after Raheem Sterling’s 19th minute header, a slightly messy goal, from both teams with the ball being parried by the Newcastle keeper into Aymeric Laporte’s path. After 45 minutes of slight defending mishaps from Newcastle, Man City just picked them apart in the second half, scoring goals up to the 93rd minute. Man City’s tally was added to with Rodri’s header from a corner, Phil Foden’s strike from the edge of the six-yard box and was finished off with another goal from Sterling. Man City not only took the opportunity to go 3 points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table, but to also increase their goal difference.

Arsenal capitalised on Tottenham dropping two points with a 2-1 win over Leeds. It was a dream start for the gunners, particularly Eddie Nkhetia who score two goals in the first 10 minutes. The first goal is going to be one that Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier will want to forget, Nkhetia picked the ball off him and slotted it in the back of the net. Not five minutes later and he was back on the scoresheet with a superb strike from the middle of the box. Leeds’s day went from bad to worse as their captain Luke Ayling was sent off for a dangerous and needless tackle on Gabriel Martinelli. Ayling was originally handed a yellow card, but after a VAR review it was changed to a straight red. Despite being 10 men, Leeds got a goal back from a corner with Diego Llorente heading the ball in, it was too little to late for them as they dropped into the relegation zone. Meanwhile Arsenal are now sitting 4 points above top four rivals Tottenham who they play on Thursday, and only 1 point of 3rd place Chelsea.