United States
United KingdomOn Saturday, the Premier League returned with a bang and there were massive results for Manchester City and West Ham at opposite ends of the table. Here is what happened in Saturday’s games:
City just one win away from the title
Manchester City travelled to face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday evening knowing that a victory would mean that they would win the title with a win at home against bitter rivals Manchester United next weekend.
The Citizens duly delivered at a ground where they have struggled in the past, recording a 3-1 victory after a 37-minute first-half blitz. The Citizens took just four minutes to establish a lead on Merseyside, as Leroy Sane produced a superb volley from David Silva’s cross.
Pep Guardiola’s side increased their lead on 12 minutes. Gabriel Jesus headed home from close range after an excellent Kevin De Bruyne cross. Pep Guardiola’s side all but sealed the points on 37 minutes. The Citizens produced an excellent counter-attack that led Raheem Sterling to fire low past Jordan Pickford from a David Silva cross.
City took their foot off the gas in the second half and Everton produced a more dogged display in the second period. The home side scored a consolation goal on 63 minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin held the ball up well and found Yannick Bolasie, whose low effort from 20 yards out hit both posts before going over the goal line. Turkish striker Cenk Tosun had a golden opportunity to put the Toffees back in the game.
However, in truth, the Citizens deserved the victory that has put them on the cusp of winning the Premier League title next weekend at rivals United. Everton meanwhile remain ninth-place in the table and face a difficult derby clash with Liverpool next weekend, a game they are major underdogs to win.
Irons hammer sorry Saints
The race for Premier League survival is a tight one. However, West Ham recorded what could be a pivotal 3-0 win over relegation rivals Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers took the lead on 13 minutes, as on-loan Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario fired home a powerful effort from 18 yards out. The Irons doubled their lead on 17 minutes. Alex McCarthy saved Marko Arnautovic’s close-range header, but the Austrian forward found the back of the net with the rebound.
David Moyes’ side wrapped up the victory in first-half stoppage-time, as Arnautovic volleyed home brilliantly from an Artur Masuaku cross.
The victory moved the Hammers five points clear of the Saints and the relegation zone. The three points could prove crucial in the final reckoning. Southampton are two points away from safety, but Mark Hughes’ does have a game in-hand on Crystal Palace and Huddersfield above them. However, the team from the south coast have now won just one of their last 18 games in the Premier League.
Saturday’s other Premier League results:
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Brighton 0-2 Leicester
Manchester United 2-0 Swansea
Newcastle 1-0 Huddersfield
Watford 2-2 Bournemouth
West Brom 1-2 Burnley
Will Manchester City win the Premier League title next weekend?
