CITY SURVIVE VILLA SCARE, EVERTON ROLL OVER THE RED DEVILS AND CHELSEA EDGE CLOSER TO TITLE.
The Premier League title race is all rapped up but the battle for second, third and fourth spot is as tight as ever. Arsenal, City and United have all surrendered the title to a Chelsea side that has been impressive this season, now which of the three will finish second. City don't look like the City of old and were given a scare by an in form Villa side. United looked out of sorts against Everton's pace on the counter attack and have now lost two on the bounce. And for Arsenal, they just couldn't break down a solid Chelsea back line.
SOUTHAMPTON 2 - 2 TOTTENHAM
This was an interesting and enlivening match that, in truth, highlighted the reasons why Southampton and Tottenham will fall distressingly yet deservingly shy of a top four spot.
Both sides were fixed by poor defending and reckless finishing at various points of a game that ebbed and streamed at St Mary's Stadium, however Ronald Koeman can take extraordinary heart from the evident rejuvenation of Graziano Pelle and Morgan Schneiderlin was by and by the exceptional player on the pitch.
Southampton twice led the pack through Graziano Pelle yet were twice pegged back as they drew 2-2 with Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.
As Mauricio Pochettino came back to the stadium that he cleared out the previous summer to join Spurs, the hosts led the pack when the Italian striker profited a defensive error from the north Londoners, with both Ryan Mason and Ben Davies at deficiency.
Erik Lamela, nonetheless, recovered one back before the break when his slight touch fell off goalkeeper Kelvin Davis on its way through.
A strong Pelle header restored the Saints' lead in the second half but, after five minutes, Nacer Chadli outmuscled Maya Yoshida to discharge a low shot past Davis, leaving neither side with what might have been a valuable point in the race for the Europa League.
Both sides were fixed by poor defending and reckless finishing at various points of a game that ebbed and streamed at St Mary's Stadium, however Ronald Koeman can take extraordinary heart from the evident rejuvenation of Graziano Pelle and Morgan Schneiderlin was by and by the exceptional player on the pitch.
Southampton twice led the pack through Graziano Pelle yet were twice pegged back as they drew 2-2 with Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.
As Mauricio Pochettino came back to the stadium that he cleared out the previous summer to join Spurs, the hosts led the pack when the Italian striker profited a defensive error from the north Londoners, with both Ryan Mason and Ben Davies at deficiency.
Erik Lamela, nonetheless, recovered one back before the break when his slight touch fell off goalkeeper Kelvin Davis on its way through.
A strong Pelle header restored the Saints' lead in the second half but, after five minutes, Nacer Chadli outmuscled Maya Yoshida to discharge a low shot past Davis, leaving neither side with what might have been a valuable point in the race for the Europa League.
MANCHESTER CITY 3 - 2 ASTON VILLA
Fernandinho resisted a valiant Aston Villa comeback as Manchester City edged to a 3-2 Premier League triumph on Saturday.
Manuel Pellegrini's forthcoming ousted champions had all the earmarks of being cruising to consecutive wins surprisingly since February after Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov put them 2-0 up.
Tom Cleverley's first Villa goal diminished the arrears in the 68th minute and Carlos Sanchez coolly volleyed home from a corner with five minutes remaining.
Be that as it may, Tim Sherwood's side, who progressed to the FA Cup final in correspondingly stirring manner by beating Liverpool a weekend ago, showed set-piece frailties of their own in the 89th moment as Fernandinho grabbed the winner.
The win moves under-fire City manager Pellegrini and his side up to second in the table, albeit Arsenal have a game in hand.
Villa are two points above the relegation zone in 16th after wins for kindred strugglers Hull City and Leicester City prior on Saturday and they have played a game more than the three teams promptly underneath them.
Manuel Pellegrini's forthcoming ousted champions had all the earmarks of being cruising to consecutive wins surprisingly since February after Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov put them 2-0 up.
Tom Cleverley's first Villa goal diminished the arrears in the 68th minute and Carlos Sanchez coolly volleyed home from a corner with five minutes remaining.
Be that as it may, Tim Sherwood's side, who progressed to the FA Cup final in correspondingly stirring manner by beating Liverpool a weekend ago, showed set-piece frailties of their own in the 89th moment as Fernandinho grabbed the winner.
The win moves under-fire City manager Pellegrini and his side up to second in the table, albeit Arsenal have a game in hand.
Villa are two points above the relegation zone in 16th after wins for kindred strugglers Hull City and Leicester City prior on Saturday and they have played a game more than the three teams promptly underneath them.
WEST BROM 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool's considerations are currently concentrated absolutely on a top four finish after their heartbreak in the FA Cup semi-finals - yet, in a game with minimal quality, this was not the execution of a side whose season relies on Champions League qualification.
Steven Gerrard's 500th Premier League appearance was not one to recall as Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at West Brom that leaves their shots of securing a Champions League spot looking considerably more remote.
Gerrard was denied a farewell appearance in the FA Cup final when Aston Villa beat Brendan Rodgers' side 2-1 in the semi-final last time out and they additionally look prone to pass up a great opportunity for a top four spot in the long-serving captain's last season before moving to LA Galaxy.
Liverpool had the better of Saturday's exchanges at the Hawthorns yet were not able to react to their Wembley catastrophe with a triumph as the Baggies burrowed deep to draw a point nearer to safety.
Jordon Ibe struck the crossbar in the second half and Gerrard came close with a free kick before the break however it turned out to be a baffling evening for Rodgers' men.
Steven Gerrard's 500th Premier League appearance was not one to recall as Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at West Brom that leaves their shots of securing a Champions League spot looking considerably more remote.
Gerrard was denied a farewell appearance in the FA Cup final when Aston Villa beat Brendan Rodgers' side 2-1 in the semi-final last time out and they additionally look prone to pass up a great opportunity for a top four spot in the long-serving captain's last season before moving to LA Galaxy.
Liverpool had the better of Saturday's exchanges at the Hawthorns yet were not able to react to their Wembley catastrophe with a triumph as the Baggies burrowed deep to draw a point nearer to safety.
Jordon Ibe struck the crossbar in the second half and Gerrard came close with a free kick before the break however it turned out to be a baffling evening for Rodgers' men.
EVERTON 3 - 0 MANCHESTER UNITED
This was by far my game of the week maybe only matched up to by Villas brave showing at the Etihad. Everton did to United what they enjoy inflicting on teams, sit back and counter with devastating effect. And my word didn't the toffees execute their counters with devastating effect.
Not even when David Moyes was overseeing both of these sides did Everton record a heavier win over Manchester United at Goodison Park - and the Toffees completely merited their best home win over the Red Devils subsequent to the 1984-85 season.
In spite of enjoying the most of the possession, Manchester United were given a stun 3-0 thrashing by Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
A win would have moved the Red Devils, momentarily, into second place however the home side went in front at an opportune time when a sizzling counterattack was done off by James McCarthy.
John Stones took advantage of lackluster defending at a corner to head home his first goal for the Toffees presently before half-time, leaving United reeling, yet not in any case some attacking substitutions could turn things around for Louis van Gaal's men.
A questionable choice not to rule Romelu Lukaku as not meddling with play from an offside position saw things go from awful to more terrible for United as substitute Kevin Mirallas jumped for the third, the defence having neglected to play to the referee's whistle.
In spite of enjoying the most of the possession, Manchester United were given a stun 3-0 thrashing by Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
A win would have moved the Red Devils, momentarily, into second place however the home side went in front at an opportune time when a sizzling counterattack was done off by James McCarthy.
John Stones took advantage of lackluster defending at a corner to head home his first goal for the Toffees presently before half-time, leaving United reeling, yet not in any case some attacking substitutions could turn things around for Louis van Gaal's men.
A questionable choice not to rule Romelu Lukaku as not meddling with play from an offside position saw things go from awful to more terrible for United as substitute Kevin Mirallas jumped for the third, the defence having neglected to play to the referee's whistle.
ARSENAL 0 - 0 CHELSEA
Champions elect Chelsea and title rivals Arsenal played out a feisty goalless Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium, with a great part of the talk centering on four penalty claims all turned down.
The most conspicuous included David Ospina's blunderous first-half impact with Oscar in an acutely challenged stalemate that saw Cesc Fabregas booed on his arrival to his previous club and Jose Mourinho keep up his unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger.
With Diego Costa and Loic Remy harmed, Oscar started as the nonentity of Chelsea's attack and was central to the talking point of the match as knocked a header past the onrushing David Ospina.
However, the Brazilian was poleaxed by the Arsenal goalkeeper and, after the chance was gathered up by Hector Bellerin, Chelsea's dissatisfactions were clear as referee Michael Oliver selected against honoring a spot kick and displaying a conceivable red card.
Mourinho was left unmistakably unmoved at the absence of a punishment or a card for the Colombian, despite the fact that Oscar was able to proceed after therapeutic aid.
Oliver was again at the focal point of things 23 minutes in, as was Fabregas, who was booked for simulation following a clash of knees with fellow spaniard Santi Cazorla in the box.
It was then Arsenal's swing to unsuccessfully call for a spot kick when Cahill handled after the half-hour mark, Ramires then forced Ospina into a shrewd save following a brisk break and sharp pass by Willian.
Both sides countered rapidly however attempted to locate the last pass - Per Mertesacker miscuing a shot wide before substitute Danny Welbeck neglected to sort his feet and style a chance after Nacho Monreal's pass.
At last, Wenger neglected to show signs of improvement of his inverse number at the 13th attempt, while Mourinho must hold up until next Sunday's visit of Crystal Palace for a chance to secure Chelsea's fourth Premier League crown giving they win at Leicester.
The most conspicuous included David Ospina's blunderous first-half impact with Oscar in an acutely challenged stalemate that saw Cesc Fabregas booed on his arrival to his previous club and Jose Mourinho keep up his unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger.
With Diego Costa and Loic Remy harmed, Oscar started as the nonentity of Chelsea's attack and was central to the talking point of the match as knocked a header past the onrushing David Ospina.
However, the Brazilian was poleaxed by the Arsenal goalkeeper and, after the chance was gathered up by Hector Bellerin, Chelsea's dissatisfactions were clear as referee Michael Oliver selected against honoring a spot kick and displaying a conceivable red card.
Mourinho was left unmistakably unmoved at the absence of a punishment or a card for the Colombian, despite the fact that Oscar was able to proceed after therapeutic aid.
Oliver was again at the focal point of things 23 minutes in, as was Fabregas, who was booked for simulation following a clash of knees with fellow spaniard Santi Cazorla in the box.
It was then Arsenal's swing to unsuccessfully call for a spot kick when Cahill handled after the half-hour mark, Ramires then forced Ospina into a shrewd save following a brisk break and sharp pass by Willian.
Both sides countered rapidly however attempted to locate the last pass - Per Mertesacker miscuing a shot wide before substitute Danny Welbeck neglected to sort his feet and style a chance after Nacho Monreal's pass.
At last, Wenger neglected to show signs of improvement of his inverse number at the 13th attempt, while Mourinho must hold up until next Sunday's visit of Crystal Palace for a chance to secure Chelsea's fourth Premier League crown giving they win at Leicester.
OTHER RESULTS
Burnley 0 - 1 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Hull City
Newcastle 2 - 3 Swansea
QPR 0 - 0 West Ham
Stoke 1 - 1 Sunderland
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