Here’s what happened in the Premier this weekend, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Saturday’s roundup: Premier League serves up festival of goals
• Move over Ruud: Vardy scored in BPL record 11th straight game
• Sunday’s roundup: Tottenham extends unbeaten run to 13 with draw
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:: Bournemouth 3, Everton 3 || Aston Villa 2, Watford 3 || Crystal Palace 5, Newcastle United 1 || Manchester City 3, Southampton 1 || Sunderland 2, Stoke City 0 || Leicester City 1, Manchester United 1 || Tottenham 0, Chelsea 0 || West Ham United 1, West Bromwich Albion 1 || Norwich City 1, Arsenal 1 || Liverpool 1, Swansea City 0 ||
WHAT STOOD OUT
Race for first too close to call right now
Mourinho lets the truth slip out
Most of the time you have to take whatever Jose Mourinho says in public with a great deal of skepticism, such is the Portuguese manager’s reputation for playing games in the media. This was not one of those times. Instead, it was a rare instance of Mourinho letting his guard down and speaking without a filter. In doing so, he let the truth slip out. “It was the best Chelsea performance of the season, against a dangerous team,” Mourinho said of Chelsea’s goal-less draw away to Tottenham on Sunday.
It’s says a lot about how poor Chelsea have been that Mourinho called this stalemate at White Hart Lane the best performance of the season. It was a shocking admission from a man noted for putting a spin on things, and for crying foul and conspiracy when results don’t go his way. It was a third clean sheet in a row for the Blues, who leaked goals to begin the campaign. That’s a positive. But they created very little with Eden Hazard deployed as a false nine, and hardly imposed their will on the game.
“I think Chelsea will be happy with the point. It is more important to them than us,” Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said. An expression of pity from an opponent—this is what it’s come to with Chelsea. Teams used to fear Chelsea. Now they feel sorry for them. Pochettino was bang on with his assessment, a further indication of how far the reigning league champions have fallen and how much work is ahead of them—Chelsea sits 14th in the table, and 12 points out of a top four spot.
Soccer Central podcast: SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by John Molinaro and James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues. To listen and subscribe to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
BEST GOAL
BEST SAVE
In the 61st minute, with West Bromwich Albion enjoying a spell of dominance, Darren Fletcher delivered a great cross from the right flank deep into the penalty area for Salomon Rondon to head home. It looked a sure goal, but West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian did very well to race across his line to keep it out.
BEST GAME
Bournemouth’s 3-3 draw at home vs. Everton was amazing. Down 2-0, the Cherries bagged two goals late in regulation time before Ross Barkley scored in the fifth minute of injury time to restore’s Everton’s lead. Cue the celebrations among the players and travelling Everton fans who invaded the pitch. But it was short-lived, as Junior Stanislas netted a last-second equalizer for Bournemouth. Unreal! To watch the highlights, CLICK HERE
BEST MOMENT
BEST QUOTE
“If (Diego Costa) wants to hurt me, it’s not with a bib. I have a good relationship with him, no problems. I think Diego is very privileged because he was the last one (in the squad) to be (put) on the bench.” – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. To watch the video of the incident, CLICK HERE.
BEST TWEET
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Aston Villa have the joint-fewest points (five) of any team in any season in Premier League history after 14 matches.
• Newcastle United have fewer points (10) after 14 matches than in any previous Premier League campaign.
• Watford’s Troy Deeney has scored four times in his last five Premier League games.
• Five of Gerard Deulofeu’s six assists this season in the Premier League have been for Romelu Lukaku.
• Crystal Palace on Saturday scored five goals in a Premier League game for the first time.
• Jamie Vardy has scored more goals (14) by a Leicester player in a single Premier League campaign.
Stats courtesy of Opta
BURNING QUESTION
THREE STARS
1) Yannick Bolasie: Bagged a brace and was a driving, creative force in midfield for a Crystal Palace side that ran rampant over Newcastle United
2) Junior Stanislas: Found the net, including deep into injury time that allowed Bournemouth to earn a point in a thriller vs. Everton.
3) Jamie Vardy: The hottest player in the league right now scored a historic goal vs. mn United to keep Leicester City in the top four.
Premier League on Sportsnet: Watch matches from the Barclays Premier League live on Sportsnet every week. Consult the broadcast schedule || Sportsnet NOW