What’s Hot and What’s Not from this weekend in the Premier League

26 November 2016 - Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur in action with Ngolo Kante and Nemanja Matic of Chelsea - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Chelsea made it seven successive Premier League victories and in turn ended Tottenham’s unbeaten league start after a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues went into Saturday evening’s game in third following victories for Manchester City and Liverpool, but goals from Pedro and Victor Moses cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s opener for Spurs.

Antonio Conte’s side were second best for much of the first-half, but were much improved in the second, and deservedly picked up a tenth win of the campaign.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Pep Guardiola’s City had usurped Chelsea at the top courtesy of a 2-1 win at Burnley, but only for a few hours as Liverpool beat Sunderland 2-0 at Anfield to climb above the Manchester club.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal kept within touching distance of the top three with a 3-1 success over Bournemouth, Alexis Sanchez netted twice for the hosts, while Manchester United and Jose Mourinho suffered a frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford, as the United boss was sent to the stands and his side were held by Slaven Bilic’s West Ham.

Ronald Koeman’s return to Southampton is not one he is going to remember fondly, as his below par Everton side were deservedly beaten 1-0 at St Mary’s, while Watford stay in eighth despite losing 1-0 at home to Stoke, who in turn rise to tenth.

Swansea and Crystal Palace shared nine goals in a thrilling encounter at the Liberty Stadium, and it was Bob Bradley’s Swans who came out on top to secure the American his first win in charge, and pile more pressure on Eagles boss Alan Pardew.

Champions Leicester struggled to a 2-2 draw at home to Middlesbrough, and Hull picked up an important point at home to West Brom.

In what was an exciting weekend of Premier League action, here is What’s Hot and What’s Not from this weekend’s matches…

HOT – Chelsea

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

There is just no stopping Antonio Conte’s Chelsea at present.

The Blues made it seven successive wins in the Premier League as they came from behind to beat previously unbeaten Tottenham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Spurs were the better side in the first-half and deservedly led through Christian Eriksen’s fine strike, but Pedro’s equaliser just before half-time turned out to be crucial, as the hosts improved greatly in the second-half, and got the winner through the in-form Victor Moses.

From Thibaut Courtois right the way through to Diego Costa, this Chelsea team is on fire at the moment, and they’ll fancy their chances of getting a result away at Manchester City next weekend.

NOT – Jose Mourinho

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

More dropped points at home and likely more trouble with the FA, it hasn’t been a great weekend for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

His side were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham on Sunday, in what was United’s fourth consecutive draw at Old Trafford in the league, and it means that they have won just one of their last eight league games.

To make matters worse for the Portuguese boss, he was sent to the stands after kicking a bottle in frustration at the decision to book Paul Pogba for diving, a decision which the referee Jon Moss appeared to have got right.

It’s the second time this month that Mourinho has been sent off, and he looks likely to serve even more time away from the touchline in subsequent weeks.

HOT – Theo Walcott

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

It has been a sensational few days for Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.

His wife Melanie gave birth to their second child Arlo on Friday, and the England international marked the occasion with a goal as the Gunners beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.

That was Walcott’s ninth goal of the season and first since the middle of October on what has been a wonderful weekend for him and the Walcott family.

NOT – Alan Pardew

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Crystal Palace’s 5-4 defeat at Swansea on Saturday has increased the pressure on under-fire manager Alan Pardew.

The Eagles suffered a sixth consecutive league defeat at the Liberty Stadium, and it now means that Palace have picked up just 22 points from 32 league matches in 2016.

Despite a run to the FA Cup final in May, and indeed coming within ten minutes of beating Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United in the showpiece event, 2016 has been a wretched year for Pardew and Palace, and a dismal defensive display on Saturday could spell the end for the Englishman at Selhurst Park.

It remains to be seen whether the 55-year-old will be in charge for their game at home to Southampton next weekend.

Exit mobile version