Liverpool and Manchester City demonstrated why they are different class, while the top four hopefuls stumbled again. Here are the Winners and losers in the Premier League: Match Day 36. Bet on the Premier League here.
Winners
Leicester & Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy scored twice as Leicester City hammered Arsenal 3-0 at the King Power Stadium to dent their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Arsenal played almost an hour of the contest with 10 men after Ainsley Maitland-Niles was sent off, and the scoreline could have been worse were it not for some fine stops from Bernd Leno. Vardy increased his goal tally in the Premier League to 18, just three behind leader Mohamed Salah who has 21. Since his Premier League debut in August 2014, the 32-year-old has scored 30 goals against the top six sides, more than any other player. Since Brendan Rodgers took charge at Leicester in March, only Liverpool and Manchester City have earned more Premier League points than the Foxes.
Manchester City and Liverpool
Manchester City and Liverpool yet again made sure that the destiny of the Premier League title would go down to the wire with crucial victories over the weekend. The top two sides in the league demonstrated the quality and class they’ve possessed all season. With City leading on 92 points and the Reds second with 91, they have set a higher standard, evidenced by poor campaigns by the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. This is the first time in Premier League history that two teams have reached 90 points in the same season.
Mohammed Salah
Mohammed Salah scored twice as Liverpool thrashed relegated side Huddersfield, meaning his two goals saw him become only the third Liverpool player to pass 20 or more Premier League goals in consecutive seasons for the club. Furthermore, His overall tally of 69 goals in 100 games is the highest number of goals managed by any Reds player after a century of appearances.
Losers
Man United & David De Gea
David de Gea’s form has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. On Sunday, with the Red Devils leading through Juan Mata’s goal against Chelsea, the 28-year-old spilled Antonio Rudiger’s 30-yard effort for Marcos Alonso to level shortly before half-time. Although he made a huge save to deny Gonzalo Higuain at the death, his error has now put United’s top-four chances in doubt. Manchester United have not won any of their last four games in all competitions.
Cardiff
Cardiff City’s hopes of Premier League survival are hanging by a thread after Fulham’s Ryan Babel goal inflicted a fourth defeat in five matches on the Bluebirds. Cardiff remain 18th in the table, four points behind Brighton and are staring at relegation with only two games to play this season. Cardiff can still be confident because Brighton’s last two matches are against Arsenal and Manchester City.
Arsenal & Spurs
These two North London clubs suffered embarrassing defeats in their fight for the top four. Spurs disappointingly lost 1-0 to West Ham, their first loss in their new stadium, while Arsenal had a day to forget when they lost 3-0 to Leicester. Spurs have now lost 12 matches in the Premier League and 17 in all competitions this season. Meanwhile, Arsenal have won only twice away from home in the league this season.