Here’s what happened this weekend in the Premier League, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Saturday: Man United stays in top-4 hunt, Cardiff close to relegation, and more
• Sunday: Salah scores at Anfield; Sterling’s brace leads Man City to win
WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Manchester United vs. West Ham United: 2-1 || Southampton vs. Wolves: 3-1 || Fulham vs. Everton: 2-0 || Bournemouth vs. Brighton & Hove Albion: 5-0 || Burnley vs. Cardiff City: 2-0 || Tottenham vs. Huddersfield Town: 4-0 || Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City: 1-3 || Liverpool vs. Chelsea: 2-0
WHAT STOOD OUT
Devastating news for Spurs
Craig Forrest and James Sharman examine how Harry Kane’s injury layoff will impact Tottenham.
Down to the wire
The battle between Liverpool and Manchester City over what is shaping up to be the best Premier League title race continued this past weekend, with neither side looking as though they are bound to let up. City went to Selhurst Park and carved out a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, only to see Liverpool retake the lead atop the table following a 2-0 win against Chelsea at Anfield.
Liverpool has a two-point advantage over Manchester City, who have a game in hand on the league leaders – although, that game is what promises to be a tension-filled Manchester derby on April 24 at Old Trafford.
Liverpool’s remaining games are against Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. City’s run-in is more difficult, and includes games vs. Tottenham and Manchester United.
But the way both of these teams are playing at the moment, it’s difficult to imagine either side dropping points, much losing a game. This title race will go down to the wire, and could be decided by the slightest of margins. The tiniest error could cost either team the crown, but you have to think that if City can get a win at Old Trafford that the title will be theirs to lose.
Time for Chelsea to cut ties with Hazard?
Craig Forrest and James Sharman discuss the possibility of Eden Hazard moving on from Chelsea and how the club should approach it.
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BEST GOAL
There can only be one choice: Mohamed Salah’s screamer vs. Chelsea.
BEST MOMENT
Burnley’s Ashley Barnes and Cardiff City’s Joe Bennett got into a kissing quarrel on Saturday.
BEST MATCH
It wasn’t at all competitive, but it’s not often you see a road team put up five goals. Bournemouth’s destruction of Brighton & Hove Albion was something to see.
BEST TWEET
WORTH REPEATING
“It will go down to the wire. I don’t see us slowing down now. Liverpool have a great squad, great self-belief, but so do we.” – Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling on the title race between the Citizens and Liverpool.
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
Craig Forrest and James Sharman take a look at Paul Pogba penalty shot technique, noting his stutter-step approach, and what has been giving him success.
THE BIG QUESTION
Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question:
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SIX PACK OF STATS
• Tottenham’s Lucas Moura is the fourth Brazilian player to score a Premier League hat trick, after Afonso Alves, Robinho and Roberto Firmino.
• Shane Long has scored in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since May 2016.
• Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson have combined for 11 Premier League goals for Bournemouth this season, the most by a duo since Alan Shearer and Mike Newell in 1995-96 (also 11 goals).
• Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (eight in 2002-03) has scored more penalties in a single Premier League campaign for Manchester United than Paul Pogba (seven) this season.
• Kevin De Bruyne assisted on a Premier League goal on Sunday for the first time since May 2018.
• Salah’s goal on Sunday was his first from outside the box in the Premier League since January 2018 (vs. Manchester City).
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Lucas Moura, Tottenham: The Brazilian became the first player to record a hat trick at Spurs’ brand new stadium.
2) Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser, Bournemouth: Both had a goal and a pair of assists in the Cherries’ destruction of Brighton.
3) Raheem Sterling, Manchester City: Bagged a brace to help City to an important win over pesky Crystal Palace.
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