Saturday’s games in gameweek 17 of the Premier League saw Manchester City and Tottenham record potentially vital wins, while West Ham and Watford also claimed maximum points. Here is the pick of the action:
Champions return to the top of the table
Manchester City recorded a 3-1 win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium in the early kick-off to return to the top of the table, at least temporarily.
Everton’s Richarlison missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring, firing over with a volley at the back post. The Toffees were made to pay for that miss on 22 minutes. Leroy Sane produced a superb through ball behind the defence to Gabriel Jesus, who kept his cool to slot past Jordan Pickford.
The Citizens doubled their lead five minutes into the second half, as Jesus headed home from close-range after a superb cross from Sane. Everton looked to be back in the game on 65 minutes, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header towards goal hit Fabian Delph and beat Ederson in the City goal.
The visitor’s revival lasted just four minutes, though, as Fernandinho’s pinpoint cross found Raheem Sterling in the centre of the area and the substitute bulleted a header past Pickford.
The Toffees missed two more gilt-edged chances through Theo Walcott and Richarlison. However, in truth City did not have to be at their best to beat the disjointed visitors.
The result moves City two points clear at the top of the Premier League table. However, second place Liverpool can return to the summit with a victory over City’s arch-rivals Manchester United at Anfield later today. The Citizens remain favourites to win the title.
Meanwhile, Everton have slipped to eighth place in the table after a run of just one win in their last six league outings.
Tottenham sneak a victory over Burnley
Tottenham left it late to record a 1-0 win over Burnley at Wembley, despite a resolute defensive display from the visitors.
The Clarets defended superbly, while former England number one Joe Hart produced two good saves to keep out Argentinian attacking midfielder Erik Lamela. The winner eventually arrived in stoppage-time. Harry Kane cushioned the ball down to substitute Christian Eriksen in the area and the Danish international smashed an effort past Hart at his near post.
The win moved Tottenham to within three points of second place Liverpool, who play against Manchester United later today. Burnley are 17th place in the table just two points clear of the relegation zone. However, they could drop into the relegation zone if Southampton beat Arsenal later today at St Marys.
West Ham recorded fourth straight league win
West Ham recorded their fourth straight league win in the late kick-off, as the Hammers defeated London rivals Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage.
Fulham missed a number of good chances before the Irons opened the scoring on 17 minutes. Felipe Anderson got away from Denis Odoi to find Robert Snodgrass on the edge of the area and the Scot curled home a brilliant effort into the top corner.
The Cottagers missed more good chances before the Irons punished the home side’s profligacy on 29 minutes. Javier Hernandez fired a cross to the far post for Michail Antonio to double the visitors lead.
The victory has moved Manuel Pellegrini’s side up to ninth place, just two points behind sixth-place Manchester United. Fulham remain bottom of the Premier League table, three points away from safety.
Saturday’s other Premier League results
Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester
Huddersfield 0-1 Newcastle
Watford 3-2 Cardiff
Wolves 2-0 Bournemouth
Who pulled off the win of the day on Saturday in the Premier League?
