Winners and losers in the Premier League – Match Day 31

The Premier League witnessed some action during the weekend with interesting results to report on. Here is a look at the winners and losers from the fixtures. Bet on the Premier League here

Winners

Liverpool

Liverpool needed a late James Milner penalty to win away to Fulham in a game they completely dominated from start to finish. The win moved them back to the summit of the Premier League table, with a two-point advantage over rivals Manchester City, who have a game in hand. At some point it looked like Liverpool were about to settle for a draw but Milner ensured that this would not be the case. The pressure is now on the Citizens to ensure that they win their next match and deal Liverpool a psychological blow in the title race. For now, the Reds can sit pretty as they head into the international break as the league leaders.

Everton

Everton produced one of their best performances at home when they beat Chelsea by a 2-0 scoreline. Marco Silva has endured a tough time at the helm in recent months but he will have been very pleased with the manner in which they dealt with Chelsea. This was such a morale-boosting performance as this was their first ever win against a top-six opponent since 2017. They showed exactly why they are one of the better teams in the division outside of the top six and if they continue like this, they could end the season really well.

Arsenal and Manchester United

Arsenal and Manchester United did not have to take to the pitch to be part of our winners this week. However, the result between Everton and Chelsea is all they needed to ensure that their ambitions of making the top four remain intact. Chelsea are now three points behind Arsenal and one point behind Manchester United after failing to take advantage of their game in hand against Everton in the Premier League. Chelsea will now have to rely on United or Arsenal to falter, if they are to get back in the top four. If they all accumulate the same number of points in the remaining fixtures, then it is Chelsea who will have suffered in their bid to finish in Champions League places.

Losers

Fulham and Huddersfield

Fulham and Huddersfield suffered yet another blow in their ambitions of remaining in the Premier League, following losses to Liverpool and West Ham respectively. Huddersfield started off their fixture in a promising way, but they could not hold their fort as they were condemned to yet another narrow defeat. Fulham for their part gave everything against Liverpool but their all was not enough to deny the Reds their three points. The two sides are almost confirming their relegation spot if they don’t turn things around in the remaining fixtures.

Burnley

Burnley lost an incredible opportunity to improve their chances of surviving the drop following their 2-1 loss to Leicester City. They have looked a pale shadow of the team that impressed so well last season and if they are not careful they could be playing Championship football next season. Sean Dyche will be concerned with their lack of creativity in front of goal. This is such a serious concern that they could not even take advantage of Leicester playing with ten men for most of the game. If they are relegated then they will look to this game as the one which denied them the much-needed momentum to sustain a survival challenge.

Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri

Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri suffered yet another blow in their bid to finish in the top four. Pressure has been mounting on the Italian to deliver the results but they have come under serious challenges in the last few months. They lost by a 2-0 scoreline despite starting the match brilliantly in the first half. However, instances of a lapse in concentration condemned them to yet another defeat. Rumors of Sarri being sacked during the international break grew louder with the results but it will remain to be seen if they can turn around their season if this does not happen.