EPL Week 31: THE WEEKEND THAT WAS.

ARSENAL HUMILIATE LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA MAINTAIN LEAD, MAN-U TOO GOOD FOR VILLA

We saw plenty of goals that will surely contend for goal of the season award. Arsenal's three goals in nine minutes were absolute top draw not to mention Olivier Giroud's fine curler. Rooney was on show for United once again, his goal.....sublime! A fine take and volley (with his back to goal) to the top corner. The pick of the goals has to be Charlie Adam's 65 yard strike that caught Thibaut Courtois completely off.

ARSENAL 4-1 LIVERPOOL

10 man Reds' Champions League hopes were left hanging by a thread after a humiliating 4-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal. Victory for Arsenal was written all over this fixture even before kick-off, the squad Brendan Rodgers fielded couldn't match up with Wengers' men "mano-e-mano". Sanchez, Ozil and Cazorla run rings round the Liverpool midfield like they were non-existent. Coquelin kept Coutinho quiet as he halted Liverpool's attacking play with ease.

Liverpool were swept away in 9 first half minutes. Firstly, Bellerin took advantage of slack defending from the poor Moreno to curl a fine effort past Mignolet into the bottom right hand corner. Then minutes later, Ozil may have just silenced critics with a peach of freekick into the same corner Bellerin had tucked his goal. The first half onslaught didn't end their, Alexis Sanchez had to get his name on the score sheet and he did it with aplomb, a goal Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry would be proud of. He received a pass from Ramsey with a deft flick to the side and past the onrushing Kolo Toure before he slammed an unstoppable effort from just outside the D into the roof of the net.

By then the game was already over, Liverpool looked awfully poor on the day but got a consolation with 14 minutes left to play, Henderson luckily converting a spot kick that just creeped under the gloves of Ospina. On the 90th minute, Arsenal's man in form, Olivier Giroud registered his name on the score sheet with another sublime curling effort. 


MANCHESTER UNITED 3-1 ASTON VILLA

 My prediction for this game was spot on, a 3-1 victory for United is how it ended. LVG's men were always going to be too strong for Villa especially at Old Trafford and given that Liverpool had lost earlier, it was an opportunity to maintain a tight hold on the top 4.

Ander Herrera seems to be Manchester United's answer to a playmaker. He had scored a number of goals before kick off against Villa, and added to more goals to his stats. His passing ability in the match was excellent, notably the pass to Valencia that went between two players. But once again Rooney stole the show, his goal was sublime and the technique even better. He all but ensured victory with his goal on the 79th minute.

Villa were not horrific but had nothing going forward and allowed 20 shots at the back. Tim Sherwood has a lot to do from now till the end of the season if he's going to keep Villa up.


CHELSEA 2-1 STOKE

Eden Hazard just can't stop scoring penalties. The outstanding Belgium put away his penalty with ease to record his 12th Premier League goal in 30 appearances. Chelsea's domination and lead didn't last too long as Charlie Adam's 65 yard effort flew beyond Thibaut Courtois for what surely will be a goal of the season contender and a goal worth winning a match. Loic Remy was Chelsea's hero against hull and he definitely was again as he slotted the ball into an empty net following Hazard's pass. Steven N'zonzi almost immediately cancelled out Remy's goal if it wasn't for the post.

Mourinho will be worried as Diego Costa who replaced Oscar only lasted 11 minutes before being taken off suffering form a hamstring injury. With Arsenal and Man-U to come, Jose will be hoping to have Diego Costa back in time.


BURNLEY 0-0 TOTTENHAM

Spurs went into this game knowing a victory would put them a few points clear of both Liverpool and Southampton, but after a first half display where they were outplayed by Burnley, it seems like they really don't mind where they finish come May. Burnley were organized and spirited and should have taken a lead into halftime.

Spurs improved in the 2nd half but still looked a bit lethargic. They'll need to improve if they are to pick up all 3 points this weekend at home to Aston Villa. Burnley on the other hand will be proud of their showing as they head into a clash with the league's in form side Arsenal at Turf Moor.


CRYSTAL PALACE 2-1 MANCHESTER CITY

The Potters really look a fine outfit when playing at home. Liverpool, Spurs and now City have all come out short in their visits to Selhurst Park. The game was played in a very high tempo, especially in the 2nd half. Murray had given Palace the lead 11 minutes into halftime though there were calls for an offside. Jason Puncheon assured all 3 points with a wonderful freekick just 3 minutes into the 2nd half.

City had chances of their own, Aguero striking the post and Silva denied twice by Speroni. Yaya Toure managed to pull one back with a fine strike but that was all Pellegrini's men were to get. City should have had a penalty as the impressive Glenn Murray handled Fernandinho's effort but referee Mike Oliver waved it away.

The problem City had for a majority of the game was lack or poor delivery, Jesus Navas being the victim of some poor decision making. Navas to me just doesn't have what it takes to be a starter, Pellegrini has better options in Nasri and Milner and this was evident when they both came on. City looked a lot sharper than when Navas was in.

For City there is no catching Chelsea and will be heading into the derby against United clear underdogs if results are anything to go by.


Other Weekend Results

Everton 1-0 Southampton
Leicester City 2-1 West Ham 
Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle
Swansea 3-1 Hull
West Brom 1-4 QPR