Here’s what happened this weekend in the Premier League, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Friday: Liverpool scores 5 on Huddersfield
• Saturday: Spurs stumble, big blow for Cardiff City & more
• Sunday: Man City blanks Burnley, stalemate at Old Traffoed & more
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Liverpool vs. Huddersfield Town: 5-0 || Tottenham vs. West Ham United: 0-1 || Crystal Palace vs. Everton: 0-0 || Fulham vs. Cardiff City: 1-0 || Southampton vs. Bournemouth: 3-3 || Watford vs. Wolves: 1-2 || Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United: 1-1 || Leicester City vs. Arsenal: 3-0 || Burnley vs. Manchester City: 0-1 || Manchester United vs. Chelsea: 1-1
WHAT STOOD OUT
Still Man City’s title to lose
Liverpool applied pressure on Manchester City in the tightly-contested title race by romping to a 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Friday night. The Blues, though, responded by gutting out a 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday to extend their winning streak to 12 consecutive games.
With the victory, Manchester City climbed back atop the table, and enjoy a one-point lead over Liverpool with two games apiece for both sides. City hosts Leicester City and then visits Brighton & Hove Albion, while Liverpool is away to Newcastle United and at home vs. Wolves.
Although the Reds still have a chance, you have to think their title aspirations were dashed on Sunday when Man City earned three points courtesy of Sergio Aguero’s goal just after the hour-mark. If Pep Guardiola’s side was going to drop points in its final three games, it was going to be against a tough and tenacious Burnley side. It didn’t happen, and now the Blues look on pace to repeat as champions.
Even though they’re on track to collect 97 points this season, a total that under normal circumstances would be enough to win the title, Liverpool will cruelly have to settle for second-best.
Norwich City, Sheffield United win promotion
James Sharman and the Sportsnet panel look at the two promoted teams headed to the Premier League next year, Norwich City and Sheffield United, and evaluate if they are set up for success.
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BEST GOAL
Watch as Watch as Juan Mata puts the finishing touches on a great sequence to give Manchester United the lead vs. Chelsea.
BEST MOMENT
Sergio Aguero’s scuffed shot following a goalmouth scramble in the second half was partially saved by Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Burnley defender Matthew Lowton tried to clear away the ball, but referee Paul Tierney was told through his earpiece that a goal should be awarded. It was a tense few seconds in the title race as Tierney waited to hear if the ball crossed the line. Once he pointed to the centre circle to signal a goal, Man City’s players and fans exploded in excitement.
BEST MATCH
Callum Wilson scored twice, including the tying goal in the 86th minute, as Southampton and Bournemouth battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Saint Mary’s Stadium
BEST TWEET
Jurgen Klopp REALLY doesn't want you to believe social media! pic.twitter.com/aqmEgLDnCg
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 26, 2019
WORTH REPEATING
“There’s a guy I follow on Instagram [Dan Rue] and he does loads of crazy dance moves. I saw it the other day and thought, ‘You know what? I’ve been busting it out in a couple of clubs and thought I’ve got to do it on the pitch.'” – West Ham’s Michail Antonio explains his eye-catching goal celebration versus Tottenham.
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
It was all downhill for the Gunners after Youri Tielemans scored for the Foxes in the 59th minute.
THE BIG QUESTION
Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question:
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SIX PACK OF STATS
• All five of Liverpool’s goals against Huddersfield were scored by players from Africa, the most by a team in a single match in Premier League history.
• All 26 of Michail Antonio’s Premier League goals have been scored from inside the penalty area.
• Dan Gosling has scored twice in his last three Premier League games, as many as he had scored in his previous 67 matches.
• Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon have combined for seven Premier League goals this season, the most by a Newcastle duo in a season since 1999-2000 (Alan Shearer and Nolberto Solano, eight goals).
• Sergio Aguero is only the second player in Premier League to score 20 or more goals in five consecutive campaigns, after Thierry Henry from 2001-02 to 2005-06.
• Juan Mata is the third Manchester United player to score a Premier League goal on his birthday, after Wayne Rooney (in 2004) and Anthony Martial (in 2018).
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Liverpool: Both bagged a brace in the Reds’ destruction of Huddersfield Town.
2) Callum Wilson, Bournemouth: Scored two goals, including a late equalizer, and tallied an assist for the Cherries vs. Southampton.
3) Diogo Jota, Wolves: Set up the opening goal of the game and then netted the winner against Watford.
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