Here’s what happened in the Premier League this weekend, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Saturday: Bournemouth holds Man United, Liverpool rebounds vs. Arsenal and more
• Sunday: Kane powers Spurs past Everton and Man City banks Sunderland
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Manchester United 1, Bournemouth 1 || Leicester City 3, Hull City 1 || Stoke City 2, Middlesbrough 0 || Swansea City 3, Burnley 2 || Watford 3, Southampton 4 || West Bromwich Albion 0, Crystal Palace 2 || Liverpool 3, Arsenal 1 || Tottenham 3, Everton 2 || Sunderland 0, Manchester City 2
WHAT STOOD OUT
Ugly scenes at Old Trafford: Acts of genuine cowardice marred Saturday afternoon’s contest between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cherries defender Tyrone Mings were both fortunate not to be sent off towards the end of the first half in a melee that eventually saw Bournemouth skipper Andrew Surman dismissed.
Mings treaded on Ibrahimovic’s face, and the Swede retaliated a few moments later when he elbowed the Bournemouth defender in the head. Both players pleaded innocent, coming off as though it was an accident, but it was pretty clear they knew what they were doing, and that they were acting with intent to harm. That they were allowed to stay on the pitch was pretty amazing, and the entire affair became ever more ludicrous when Andrew Surman collected a second yellow card for pushing Ibrahimovic in an angry reaction to his elbow assault on Mings. The Swede sold it, tumbling to ground in a heap in a blatant attempt to get Surman sent off, and it worked. Kudos to Ibra for doubling down on being a jerk on this day.
It was reprehensible behaviour from both Ibrahimovic and Mings, and they should have been dealt with then and there, but somehow referee Kevin Friend missed it all—except Surman’s tame push of Ibrahimovic. Here’s hoping the FA will review this incident and deal out retrospective punishment for Ibrahimovic and Mings for their cowardly conduct.
Wenger makes costly decision in loss at Anfield
Craig Forrest and James Sharman recap Liverpool’s big win over Arsenal, and the mistakes made by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger:
BEST GOAL
Watch as Riyad Mahrez scores Leicester City’s second goal in their fixture against Hull City on a brilliant solo effort:
BEST GAME
It’s hard to look past Southampton’s win over Watford, a seven-goal thriller at Vicarage Road that produced four goals in the final 11 minutes of regulation and plenty of late drama.
BEST MOMENT
Harry Kane celebrates with Dele Alli after opening the scoring for Tottenham vs. Everton on Sunday:
BEST QUOTE
“A decision like that is not easy to make, but you have to stand up for it.” – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on his decision not to start Alexis Sanchez.
BEST TWEET
At the start of Sportsnet’s Saturday broadcast, James Sharman wondered if Leicester City, now being managed by interim coaches Craig Shakespeare and Mike Stowell, might go down at the end of the season. The Foxes ended up winning, prompting this response:
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
Bournemouth defender Steve Cook had an outstanding game on Saturday—he was a defensive dynamo, a bulwark at the back, and it was his outstanding play that was one of the main reasons why the Cherries earned a valuable draw at Old Trafford.
CRISIS CLUB OF THE WEEK: MIDDLESBROUGH
James Sharman and Craig Forrest explain how Middlesbrough has been sinking like a ship:
THE BIG QUESTION
Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question. Have your say by voting in the poll below:
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Bournemouth’s Josh King is only the 14th player to score a penalty for the opposition at Old Trafford in Premier League history.
• Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez on Saturday scored in open play for the first time in his last 28 Premier League appearances.
• Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has been directly involved in more goals this season (11) than his last three Premier League campaigns combined—five goals and six assists.
• Arsenal haven’t won any of their last 11 Premier League away games vs. the other current top six teams (five draws and six losses).
• No player has scored the opening goal of a Premier League game more times (seven) than Harry Kane this season (level with Romelu Lukaku).
• David Silva has provided more Premier League assists (62) than any other player in the competition since his debut in August 2010.
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Harry Kane, Tottenham: The Spurs star bagged a brace on Sunday to move atop the goal scoring charts (with 19) and propel the London club into second place.
2) Roberto Firmino, Liverpool: The Brazilian was a livewire at Anfield, antagonizing Arsenal with his quick movement, scoring the opener and setting up another.
3) Steve Cook, Bournemouth: The defender put in a man-of-the-match effort to help 10-man Bournemouth earn a draw away to Manchester United.
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