Matchday 26 of the 2021/22 Premier League season delivered its quota of thrilling games throughout the weekend.
The battle for the fourth spot on the table continued, as the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham picked up crucial wins. Elsewhere, Norwich City, Burnley and Watford found themselves in the dreaded relegation zone after the completion of the recent round of Premier League fixtures.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 5 talking points from Premier League Matchday 26.
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Spurs beat Manchester City to blow title race open
Very few expected Tottenham to come away with anything from their trip to Manchester City, particularly after three straight defeats and the form the hosts were in. But the dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min had other ideas as they inspired Tottenham to a memorable 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.
Spurs couldn’t have enjoyed a better start as new signing Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring in the 4th minute. But Man City pulled back through Ilkay Gundogan in the 33rd minute before Kane again gave the visitors the lead just before the hour mark.
The drama carried into stoppage time when Riyad Mahrez equalised from the spot and it seemed like City would get atleast a point from the game. But Spurs were determined not to let their heads down and continued with their decided game plan even with the clock running down. Their persistence paid off, as Kane scored the winner with a precisely-timed header against the club he could well have been playing for.
Man City’s defeat on Saturday has blown the title race wide open, while Antonio Conte’s Spurs boosted their own hopes of making it to the top four.
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Manchester United win the Roses derby
Manchester United completed their first league double over bitter rivals Leeds United since the 1999-2000 campaign with a 4-2 victory at a soaked up Elland Road on Sunday.
The Red Devils banished their set-pieces blues with a fine header from skipper Harry Maguire before Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead before half-time.
Leeds came flying out of the blocks in the second half and were rewarded when Rodrigo Moreno’s cross inadvertently found its way over David de Gea and into the back of the net. Inside a minute, the game was level through substitute Raphinha, whose tap-in set Elland Road rocking again.
However, Ralf Rangnick’s Man United showed great character and spirit, as substitutes Fred and Anthony Elanga scored to win the Roses derby in Matchday 26 and give their side a four-point lead in the race for the fourth spot.
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Emmanuel Dennis gives Watford a glimmer of hope
Watford’s shock win at Aston Villa on Saturday, which was new manager Roy Hodgson’s first at the club—probably added more spice to the relegation battle.
From wide left, Emmanuel Dennis—the Hornets’ top scorer—buzzed around dangerously at Villa Park and scored a vital header past Emiliano Martinez with 12 minutes from time. The Nigerian once again proved his worth in yellow and black as he ran the channels, linked play well and made penetrative runs often to threaten the Villa backline.
Roy Hodgson and the Hornets will hope Dennis’ goal against Aston Villa kickstart the club’s battle against relegation.
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Chelsea edge past Crystal Palace
Chelsea laboured to an away 0-1 win over London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday, in their first game since being crowned world champions against Palmeiras in Abu Dhabi.
It was far from a pretty performance from the Blues in a windy afternoon at Selhurst Park that saw Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace side give a good account of themselves. But the visitors’ extra quality shone in the end, as Hakim Ziyech—who previously had a goal chopped off for offside—lashed past Jack Butland from close range to seal all three points.
Chelsea have been far from their peak in the last two months but Thomas Tuchel should be delighted with his side’s hard-earned victory in blustery conditions at Selhurst Park.
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Bruno Lage adds more pain to Leicester City’s downward spiral
Wolves piled more misery on Leicester City with a 2-1 victory at Molineux on Sunday, leaving manager Brendan Rodgers under extreme pressure.
Leicester City, of course, are in crisis, having taken just nine points from 30. After the limp 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, the Foxes, though, dominated large parts of the game against Wolves but missed their talisman Jamie Vardy to finish off some gilt-edged chances in the box.
Wolves, on the other hand, were limited going forward but effective, scoring two goals from their three shots on target in Matchday 26. Goals from Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence not only gave the Wanderers the derby delight but also boosted their top-four hopes.
