The final full set of Premier League fixtures before the last international break of the season played out this weekend.
Manchester City continued their winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Fulham, seeing them briefly go 17 points clear at the top of the table.
Second half strikes from John Stones, Gabriel Jesus and a returning Sergio Aguero saw City cruise to another three points.
Arsenal win the north London derby bragging rights
Away from the title race, Arsenal came out on top in the latest North London derby with Tottenham, winning 2-1.
Despite Erik Lamela’s outrageous rabona goal to open the scoring, the Gunners came back thanks to Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard and a penalty from Alexandre Lacazette. Things then got worse for Spurs as Lamela received a second yellow card.
Although they picked up three points, Mikel Arteta’s side remain in 10th in the league and five points away from the top six.
There was also a win for high-flying Leicester, who comfortably beat Sheffield United 5-0 to consolidate their spot in third place.
The Blades are without a permanent manager, following the departure of Chris Wilder, and it showed as they were thrashed by the Foxes with Kelechi Iheanacho bagging a hat-trick on top of a strike from Ayoze Perez and an Ethan Ampadu own goal.
Manchester United kept the pace with Leicester, winning in less exciting fashion against West Ham to maintain their spot in second. The only goal of the game was scored by Hammers defender Craig Dawson, who turned the ball into his own net.
A goal for Diogo Jota against his former club was enough for Liverpool to get back to winning ways in the league. The Reds came out 1-0 winners at Wolves, in a match overshadowed by a nasty injury to goalkeeper Rui Patricio late in the game.
Chelsea missed their chance to consolidate a spot in the top four, failing to unlock Leeds’s defence as the two sides drew 0-0. The result was the first goalless draw at Elland Road since Leeds welcomed Arsenal back in November 2020.
Everton’s European hopes take a dent
Fellow European challengers Everton also fell short this weekend, losing 2-1 at home to a resilient Burnley. Two goal of the month contenders from Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil gave the Clarets an early lead, which they held on to in the end despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting for the Toffees.
Elsewhere, a last-gasp equaliser for Newcastle in their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa gave them some hope in their battle against relegation. Ciaran Clarke turned the ball into his own net with just five minutes of normal time left, but captain Jamal Lascelles nodded home in the 94th minute to ensure that the points were shared on Tyneside.
The joy for Newcastle fans only lasted a couple of days, though, when fellow strugglers Brighton overcame Southampton to leapfrog Steve Bruce’s side in the table. Goals from Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard either side of a Che Adams strike were enough for the Seagulls who came out 2-1 winners.
While the two clubs just outside the drop zone picked up points this weekend, 19th placed side West Brom were beaten yet again, losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace. Luka Milivojevic scored from the penalty spot as the Baggies edge closer towards a return to the Championship.
