Here’s what happened in the Premier League this weekend, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Saturday: Spurs win derby, Aguero scores 4 goals, and more
• Sunday: Newcastle upsets Manchester United, and more
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Tottenham 1, Arsenal 0 || Everton 3, Crystal Palace 1 || Stoke City 1, Brighton & Hove Albion 1 || Swansea City 1, Burnley 0 || West Ham United 2, Watford 0 || Manchester City 5, Leicester City 1 || Huddersfield Town 4, Bournemouth 1 || Newcastle United 1, Manchester United 0 || Southampton 0, Liverpool 2
WHAT STOOD OUT
Spurs continue to go from strength to strength
Tottenham’s win in Saturday’s North London derby, played out before a Premier League record crowd of 83,222 at Wembley Stadium was another statement of intent from manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side that they will not go quietly into that good night, and instead will challenge for a top-four spot.
Catching league leaders Manchester City is well beyond Spurs, and every other team in the English topflight, for that matter, but Tottenham’s recent run of impressive results shouldn’t go unnoticed – they’ve earned seven points from a possible nine, following wins over top-four rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, and a draw at Liverpool.
Harry Kane’s winner was the difference, but the score line didn’t truly reflect the manner in which Spurs dominated and, at times, toyed with Arsenal, who sit sixth in the standings. The victory not only strengthened Tottenham’s Champions League aspirations for next season – they finished the weekend fourth in the table – but also dealt a crushing blow to Arsenal’s meagre hopes to return to European soccer’s biggest stage.
BEST MOMENT
Travelling Manchester United fans at St. James’ Park paid tribute to Liam Miller, the former Red Devil who died earlier in the week from cancer.
BEST GOAL
Watch as Jose Izquierdo finishes off a brilliant passing play by Brighton to give the Seagulls a 1-0 lead.
BEST QUOTE
“Harry Kane is not old-fashioned; he is the present and the future.” – Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham manager
BEST MATCH
A 1-1 draw between Stoke City and Brighton & Hove Albion featured fabulous goals from Jose Izguierdo and Xherdan Shaqiri, and a frenetic finish featuring a late penalty save and a crucial goal-line clearance.
CRISIS CLUB OF THE WEEK: ARSENAL
Sportsnet’s soccer panel break down Arsenal’s recent woes in the Premier League.
BEST TWEET
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
It was Matt Ritchie’s goal that lifted Newcastle United to the win over Manchester United, but the Scottish winger provided so much more for the Magpies, especially on the defensive end.
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
• Harry Kane has seven goals in seven Premier League North London derby games. Only Emmanuel Adebayor has scored more (eight goals).
• Sergio Aguero is the fourth player to score 20 or more goals in four consecutive Premier League campaigns, joining Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Harry Kane.
• Since his Premier League debut in January 2012, Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored more goals from outside the box (17) than any other current player in the English topflight.
• Crystal Palace’s Luka Milivojevic has converted more penalties (five) than any other player in the Premier League this season.
• Huddersfield scored as many goals in 27 minutes against Bournemouth on Sunday as they managed in their previous seven Premier League games.
• Matt Ritchie’s goal for Newcastle United on Sunday ended a run of 43 shots without scoring in the Premier League this season, the longest such drought in the division.
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Sergio Aguero, Manchester City: The Argentine was simply sensational in scoring four goals against Leicester City.
2) Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City: The Belgian collected three assists as he pulled the creative strings.
3) Steve Mounie, Huddersfield Town: The Beninese striker bagged a brace and set up another goal in the Terriers’ big win over Bournemouth.
[relatedlinks]
