Week 16 of the English Premier League ensures that Chelsea will sit on top of the Premier League this Christmas after their 10th win on the spin; Arsenal loses for the first time since the opening day, and much more.
If history is anything to go by then my prediction of Chelsea winning the Premier League looks likely to come true.
The Blues 1-0 win over a stubborn Sunderland at the Stadium of Light means they will dive underneath the Christmas Tree safe in the knowledge that they lead the Premier League table. And six of the past seven teams to hold that honour has gone on to win the title.
Consistency has been the key for Chelsea in recent games. Antonio Conte has not tinkered with his side in eight of the previous nine games. But the Italian’s hand was forced in this one after Eden Hazard missed the match with an injury. Willian came in, and you hardly missed the diminutive Belgian.
The other change that Conte made proved to be a match-winner. Nemanja Matic dropped to the bench, and Conte handed Cesc Fabregas his first start in a blue shirt since early December. The Spaniard repaid him with the winning goal – scored in the first half – his fifth against Sunderland.
As you would expect, Sunderland parked the bus, but nearly managed to steal a point when Patrick van Aanholt was denied by a superb stop by Thibaut Courtois in the dying embers of the match – showing that Chelsea still has work to do when it comes to finding the jugular. Chelsea is the bookmakers favourite to win the league at 4/5. Sunderland is the 2/5 second-favourite for relegation.
Arsenal Lose For the First Time Since the Opener
Chelsea was able to move six points clear after a stumble by Arsenal at Goodison Park. Arsenal faced a demoralised Everton side who had only won one of their previous 10 Premier League games, having themselves hammered 11 goals past their opposition in the previous three games.
The Gunners played a day earlier than Chelsea and could have taken the top spot for 24-hours had they won. And that looked likely when Alexis Sanchez’s deflected free-kick gave them the lead in the 20th minute. It was the Chilean’s 12th Premier League goal of the season, and only Diego Costa can match that accuracy rate.
But Everton is the Premier League comeback kings having clawed back 11 points from losing positions this season. With the Arsenal central defenders putting the shackles on Romelu Lukaku it was left to the Everton defence to sort things out.
Seamus Coleman headed the equaliser before half time, and Ashley Williams headed home his first goal in the blue shirt of Everton to secure his side’s first victory since October.
It wasn’t the best time for Arsenal to slip up. Next up – Man City. Everton faces their arch-rivals, Liverpool. Arsenal move out to 7/1 for the Premier League title after that defeat.
Business as Usual
If you are a backer of favourites then the rest of the results – except one – all went your way. It was one of the most predictable tranches of results since the opening day. Bournemouth v Leicester proving to be the exception to the rule.
Bournemouth has been great this season. Leicester has been garbage. But their most recent thrashing of Man City at the King Power gave us all hope that the champions were back. But it’s tough to make an impact when you don’t see the ball.
The Cherries controlled 70% of possession in a first half that saw Marc Pugh turn that dominance into a lead they never surrendered. Bournemouth moves into 10th place – their highest ever Premier League position – and Leicester’s one point away from home all season is a new record for a defending champion.
In the other fixtures, Liverpool mashed Middlesbrough by 3-0 thanks to two goals and an assist from Adam Lallana. Divock Origi scoring the third to move Liverpool head of Arsenal, into second place, on goal difference.
Man City kept hold of the fourth spot after beating Watford by 2-0. Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva securing City’s first Premier League home win in almost three months.
Spurs went one better with a 3-0 demolition of Hull. Christian Eriksen once again finding his scoring boots with a brace. Victor Wanyama scored the third. Hull is 1/5 to return to the Championship. Not even Pele and Diego Maradona signings will prevent that from happening.
Man Utd’s hope of a Champions League place still shines brightly after their two big summer signings poured more misery onto Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Paul Pogba opened the scoring in first-half injury time, only for United to seemingly blow a lead once again when James McArthur equalised late on. Zlatan Ibrahimovic donned the cape and flew to the rescue of the Reds with a winner two minutes from time. Alan Pardew is 5/2 second favourite to stand in the dole queue.
The favourite to join him is Bob Bradley. He is 6/4 and backers will have been delighted to have seen his Swansea side crumble against a West Brom team that is proving everyone wrong. Tony Pulis’s side are back up to the seventh spot after their 3-1 win over the Swans. Salomon Rondon scoring his first Premier League hat-trick. Wayne Routledge scored a late consolation goal. Swansea remains rooted in the bottom three.
Finally, West Ham continued to extend their gap above the trapdoor to four points after a 1-0 win at home to Burnley. Sean Dyche’s side continue to have the worse away record in the Premier League and have now failed to score in eight top tier games. Mark Noble capped off an impressive captain’s display with a first half injury time winner. It was West Ham’s first league win in seven matches.
Stoke drew 0-0 with Southampton.
There’s not really much to say about that.
Premier League Results (Week 16)
Middlesbrough 0 v 3 Liverpool
West Ham 1 v 0 Burnley
Sunderland 0 v 1 Chelsea
Man City 2 v 0 Watford
West Brom 3 v 1 Swansea
Stoke 0 v 0 Southampton
Spurs 3 v 0 Hull
Crystal Palace 1 v 2 Man Utd
Bournemouth 1 v 0 Leicester
Everton 2 v 1 Arsenal
