Premier League
The 11 Matches That Made Chelsea Champions!
The curtain falls on the English Premiership this Sunday. But before then, Chelsea had become the runaway champions. Three of the likely candidates for relegation have already been decided. But according to Fox Sport, there’s still a little bit of drama left with two Champions League spots are still up for grabs.
Below are the 11 matches that shaped the 2016/17 Premiership season”
· September 24th: Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea
Early in the season, new manager Antonio Conte was still easing into the Chelsea hot seat. Coming off a loss to Liverpool in their sixth match of the season, Conte stuck with former manager Jose Mourinho’s preferred formation, putting four at the back, and he promptly saw his team smacked in the mouth by Arsenal. That was the last straw for Conte, and he decided it was time to unveil the 3-4-2-1 formation that carried them to the title. The rest, as they say, is history.
· October 15th: Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham
Manuel Lanzini’s 19th minute goal was the difference for the Hammers as they beat Crystal Palace after five matches without a win to open the season. Christian Benteke’s missed penalty for Palace didn’t just save three points for West Ham — it probably saved their season. Without the win, there’s almost no doubt West Ham manager Slaven Bilic would’ve been fired, and the Hammers possibly locked in an ugly relegation battle for the rest of the season.
· October 23rd: Chelsea 4-0 Man Utd
The Arsenal match marked the day Antonio Conte decided to change the way Chelsea lined up, but the Manchester United match truly cemented it. They ran roughshod over the Red Devils, absolutely destroying Jose Mourinho’s side and establishing the Blues as a real, legitimate contender for the title.
· November 26th: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
If it wasn’t confirmed against United, Chelsea put an emphatic stamp on their title credentials against Spurs. At the time, the Blues were within a point of their nearest rival, and hosted London neighbors Tottenham in what was their toughest challenge yet in the season. They passed the test with flying colors.
· December 3rd: Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea
Coming off the match against Spurs, Chelsea traveled to Manchester for yet another early test to see if they really had what it takes to be Premier League champs. They strolled into the Etihad, pulling off a 3-1 away win against Pep Guardiola’s squad, effectively ending the Citizens’ challenge and establishing themselves as the team to beat in the league. Before long, their winning the title was foregone conclusion.
· December 4th: Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool
After Chelsea’s emphatic win over Manchester City, all Liverpool had to do was beat tiny Bournemouth to keep pace. Way easier said than done, especially in Liverpool’s case. They fell 4-3 in a wild match that fully showcased Jurgen Klopp’s team’s inability to handle the little guys. They never got within touching distance of Chelsea again.
· February 12th: Swansea 2-0 Leicester
Claudio Ranieri’s last Premier League match on the Leicester City bench, this one was a six-pointer for two relegation candidates. It was a vital three points for struggling Swansea, but it all but confirmed Ranieri’s demise. Sad!
· April 30th: Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal
St. Totteringham’s Day ended on April 30th, 2017. For the first time in decades, Tottenham were assured that they’d finish ahead of Arsenal in the league table. That’s kind of a big deal in North London, and it let Spurs coast into second place for the first time in more than 50 years.
· May 5th: West Ham 1-0 Tottenham
Coming off the high of their win over Arsenal, Spurs needed a win against West Ham to have even a prayer of pushing Chelsea to the end in the title race. Unfortunately, they fell short, with Manuel Lanzini’s goal the one to confirm the dream would fail.
· May 6th: Swansea 1-0 Everton
Fernando Llorente to the rescue! With Swansea staring relegation in the face, the Spanish striker’s single goal was good enough to take the Swans past Everton and ensure they’ll be in the Premier League for at least one more year.
May 21st: Arsenal/Liverpool/Manchester City’s last chance to qualify for Champions League
On the final day of the season, Arsenal (vs. Everton), Liverpool (vs. Middlesbrough) and Manchester City (at Watford) all have the opportunity to confirm a place in the top four. All three teams play at the same time, with City (in 3rd, on 75 points) best positioned to secure automatic qualification. It’s going to be a madhouse on Sunday.
Premier League
Criticism part of life at Manchester United, Fernandes says
Players must accept criticism as readily as praise at Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes said after the Portuguese midfielder rescued his side with two goals in a 4-2 home Premier League victory over Sheffield United.
Fernandes made it 2-2 from the penalty spot in the 61st minute then put United ahead with a long-range strike 20 minutes later after the hosts had fallen behind twice against the Premier League’s bottom team
United had come in for heavy criticism following Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City where they squandered a 3-0 lead before going through via a penalty shoot-out.
Fernandes told reporters that the intense demands of playing at a club like United meant winning was the only thing that mattered.
“You can be in a run of games where you win nine in a row, and when you lose one you know you’ll be criticised,” he added.
“Being at United demands winning every game, that’s part of our job. If there is anyone in the dressing room still not used to that, they will get used to it.
“Being a Manchester United player demands being ready to receive as much criticism as praise. We receive praise when we do good things so we can’t be annoyed by the criticism.”
United, who had failed to win their last four league matches, moved up to sixth with Wednesday’s win. They next host Burnley on Saturday.
-Reuters
Premier League
Manchester United fight back twice from behind to beat Sheffield United
Manchester United’s chaotic high-scoring form continued at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to overcome spirited Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund struck in the final nine minutes to ensure the win.
Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.
As in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.
But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.
In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors’ box since his appointment was confirmed last week.
After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”, Ten Hag’s team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.
Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.
The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire’s deft header and Fernandes’ penalty.
And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.
Premier League
Five-Star Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top
Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to roar three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday.
Any remaining doubts about Arsenal’s staying power were answered emphatically as Leandro Trossard gave them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea.
It was a powerful statement by Arsenal who have recovered impressively from a home defeat by Aston Villa and bowing out of the Champions League and with four games remaining they are piling the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal have 77 points from 34 games with Liverpool, who face Everton on Wednesday, on 74 from 33. Reigning champions Manchester City have 73 points but have two games in hand starting with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.
It was the sixth time Arsenal have scored five or more in a Premier League game this season and in such a tight race they have a huge goal difference advantage which could prove crucial.
For ninth-placed Chelsea it was their heaviest ever defeat by Arsenal and a hammer blow in their bid to creep into a European place just days after their narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.
-Reuters
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