Premier League GW 18 threw up few, if any, surprises. The league’s top teams were successful in their Boxing Day encounters as the top four clubs scored 11 goals to their opponents’ two.
Chelsea remain in first place after their 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth. It was the Blues’ 11th clean sheet of the term and Fantasy Premier League managers who select Chelsea defenders continue to thrive.
Chelsea opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Pedro and never looked back. Eden Hazard added a second from the spot just after halftime and a Steve Cook’s own goal in second half stoppage-time sealed the deal.
Arsenal 1-0 West Brom
Arsenal put their two match losing streak behind them with a home win against West Brom. The Gunners had to work for the win as Mesut Ozil finally broke through the Baggies’ defence in the 86th minute.
Olivier Giroud’s header beat Ben Foster as the Gunners solidified fourth position.
Leicester 0-2 Everton
Leicester are winless in their last three and are only three points ahead of the relegation zone after their defeat to Everton.
Kevin Mirallas opened the scoring in the 51st minute and Romelu Lukaku finally broke his scoreless run as the Belgian put things to bed in the first minute of stoppage-time.
It was Everton’s second win in their last three.
Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland
Manchester United continued their attack on the Premier League’s top four with a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.
In-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a hand in all three Red Devil goals, first assisting Daley Blind before scoring the second. The Swede set up Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the third.
Sunderland’s Fabio Borini tallied a late consolation goal for the Black Cats.
Hull 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City won their third straight fixture although it took until the 72nd minute to strike past David Marshall.
Kevin De Bruyne looked likely of putting the Citizens on the board first, but his 52nd minute shot struck the woodwork.
Yaya Toure finally broke the deadlock, however, when his penalty was struck past Marshall. Five minutes later Kelechi Iheanacho double the Manchester City lead from inside the 18-yard box.
Hull’s Curtis Davies added an own goal in stoppage-time as the Tigers fell for the third straight match. Hull are rooted to the Premier League’s bottom of the table.
Liverpool 4-1 Stoke City
Liverpool remain six points off of top of the table Chelsea after beating Stoke City 4-1.
Despite the flattering scoreline, it was Stoke who got off to the brighter start. Jonathan Walters opened the scoring in the 12th minute. However, after his strike, it was all Liverpool.
Adam Lallana equalised in the 35th minute and Roberto Firmino put the Reds in control a minute before the break.
Giannelli Imbula scored an own goal on the hour-mark and Daniel Sturridge scored his first goal of the season ten minutes later.
Monday December 26, 2016
Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 1-0 West Brom Albion
Burnley 1-0 Middlesbrough
Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth
Leicester 0-2 Everton
Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland
Swansea 1-4 West Ham
Hull City 0-3 Manchester City
Tuesday December 27, 2016
Liverpool 4-1. Stoke City
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