People say that Christmas time is the busiest time of year, people running around getting presents, travelling to family gatherings up and down the country or being the ones who have the ordeal of hosting. It is certainly hectic in the Barclays Premier League, with teams facing five games in just 19 days and with injury problems mounting for sum, it could be a telling period in the fate of many sides come May. Three games have been played over the last week or so which has seen the end of the run of this season’s ‘Unbeatables’, a fan-base outrage and most importantly, goals and lots of them.
Gameweek 13
The first of three quick-fire games in the Premier League brought about many close games and crucial results at the top and bottom. Chelsea were unable to batter down the Sunderland barricades and failed to score for the first time this season. Lee Cattermole was particularly inspirational in earning a massive point for Gus Poyet’s men. A major flashpoint came when Diego Costa kicked out at John O’Shea and subsequently was booked, but should it of been more? Yes. Arsenal bounced back from a horrendous defeat to Manchester United with a battling win at the Hawthorns over West Brom, following their impressive victory over Borussia Dortmund, Arsene Wenger’s men were fighting back. Danny Welbeck grabbed the goal to compound another blow to Alan Irvine’s West Brom, a third defeat in a row. Manchester City were maintaining their attempts in keeping up with Chelsea with a superb 3-0 win at Southampton, further illustrating the class of Sergio Aguero and return to form of Yaya Toure. Aguero with two assists not playing the shining role but showing he has more to his game than goals, setting up Toure and then a first City goal for Gael Clichy. City may not have had the most consistent start with disappointments at West Ham and at home to Newcastle and Stoke City.
The stand out game came from Loftus Road in a topsy-turvy, end to end relegation dogfight between QPR and Leicester. Both have had mixed seasons, QPR’s recent form has improved, whilst Leicester’s has dropped after an impressive start. Yet, Leicester led within the first five minutes through their International veteran Esteban Cambiasso. QPR were caught cold but responded well and were hammering at the door and made pay with the pressure as Leicester skipper Wes Morgan put past his own keeper. A game which saw a whopping 51 attempts on goal between the two just highlighted the importance of the three points at Loftus Road. Leroy Fer then smashed QPR in front just before half time after main man Charlie Austin was denied. But, in the second half, Leicester came again as Jamie Vardy hit the bar then came their equaliser, a wonderful shot from Jeffery Schlupp into the bottom corner brought it to 2-2. At this point, it was in the balance until that man Austin sealed the deal with a close range header after a scramble in the Leicester area. Matty James was inches from snatching a point but they were edged out by Rangers, who continued their recently impressive home form.
The Rest
Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool 1-0 Stoke
Manchester United 3-0 Hull City
Spurs 2-1 Everton
Swansea 1-1 Crystal Palace
West Ham 1-0 Newcastle
Gameweek 14 & 15
From Tuesday to Monday, Premier League teams were travelling up and down the country with two more games to play last week. Some fared better than others over this fixture pile up which meant some gained momentum into the Christmas period, whilst some began to worry. Arsenal had picked up a vital 1-0 win over Southampton then headed to the Britannia Stadium where they had won once in their previous eight visits. So Arsene Wenger was going into the game hoping to continue Arsenal’s run of three clean sheets with rookie keeper Emi Martinez impressing. Although, in a changed back four with Hector Bellerin shoved into the fray and Laurent Koscielny strangely benched, this was then put to the sword in 18 seconds as Arsenal were a shambles and Peter Crouch profited. Two more in an atrocious first half for Arsenal from star man Bojan and John Walters. Arsenal were abysmal, Olivier Giroud missed a glorious chance at 1-0 which could’ve changed the game, but other than that he was a bystander as Chambers and Bellerin in particular had a torrid half with captain Per Mertersacker lost at sea. Arsenal plucked up their ideas and restored dignity to the score line after Bojan had a fourth disallowed, which shouldn’t have been to be fair, with Santi Cazorla scoring his first league goal since January. After that softly awarded penalty, Aaron Ramsey bagged his first goal since August with a sumptuous volley. Arsenal had the game in their hands and looked set to complete an unlikely comeback until Calum Chambers was sent off for a silly second booking. Arsenal couldn’t regain firm control and methods of long ball didn’t prosper. A 3-2 defeat sparked wild roars of protest against Arsene Wenger which swept social media. It is below the belt the abuse Wenger has faced and deserves some respect for what he’s done the club. He may have made mistakes but sacking him is not the answer, a quick fix in January can restore hope for Arsenal that the season can be salvaged.
Elsewhere, it was the end of the unbeaten Blues as Chelsea couldn’t follow up a 3-0 win over Spurs and lost at a resurgent Newcastle 2-1, the big difference being no Nemanja Matic. Manchester United completed a great couple of weeks with a smash and grab at St Marys with Robin Van Persie in the goals. City won but lost Aguero for the next three weeks, a big blow to their title challenge. Liverpool and Spurs stuttered again both drawing 0-0, but QPR again beat a relegation rival. Fer and Austin providing, whilst Aston Villa picked up a huge win over Leicester.
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