On Tuesday night, the first batch of gameweek 15 games took place in the Premier League, with Manchester City, West Ham, Brighton and Bournemouth all picking up wins. Here is what happened in Tuesday night’s clashes:
The Citizens hold on to win at Watford
Manchester City recorded a 2-1 win at Watford but were left rather clinging on to the victory at the end after dominating for much of the game.
Pep Guardiola’s team dominated possession in the first half but took until the 40th minute to take the lead, as Leroy Sane chested home a Riyad Mahrez cross. Mahrez doubled the Citizens lead six minutes into the second period, latching on to a Gabriel Jesus pull back to slot home past Ben Foster from inside the area.
City despite their dominance were made to work for the victory late on. The Hornets got a goal back with just five minutes left on the clock, as Abdoulaye Doucoure scored from close-range at the second attempt. The home side looked dangerous, but the champions held on for a crucial victory.
The victory moves City five points clear of second place Liverpool, who visit Burnley this evening. The Citizens remain red-hot favourites for the top-flight title. Watford have now slipped to 11th place in the table.
Cherries bounce back against Huddersfield
Bournemouth ended a four-game losing run in the top-flight by recording a 2-1 win over Huddersfield at the Vitality Stadium.
England international Callum Wilson headed the home side in front on five minutes from a Ryan Fraser free kick, beating the offside trap. The Cherries doubled their lead on 22 minutes, with Wilson and Fraser involved again, as the former put Fraser through on goal and the winger slotted the ball under the outrushing Jonas Lossl.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic then produced good saves from Alex Pritchard, Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre. The Terriers did find a way past the former Chelsea keeper on 38 minutes, as Terence Kongolo’s looping header beat the Cherries stopper.
The visitors dominated the second period and Begovic was once again on hand to keep out a low Mooy shot on goal, while the Australian also saw a late effort deflect wide of goal.
The Cherries held on in the end to record a victory that moved them up to sixth place in the table. Huddersfield are 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
Perez the hero for Hammers against Cardiff
Former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez came off the bench for West Ham to score a brace in a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City. The first half was goalless but it was eventful for West Ham’s Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic.
The forward missed a good chance before bringing down Junior Hoilett in the penalty area to concede a spot-kick. Luckily, for Arnautovic, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski saved the penalty kick from Bluebirds midfielder Joe Ralls.
Arnautovic limped off just before the break and was his replacement Lucas Perez took centre stage in the second period. The Spaniard struck his first goal four minutes into the second half, picking up the ball from a super touch from Robert Snodgrass, the former Gunners striker then fired a powerful effort past Neil Etheridge in the visitor’s goal.
The striker doubled his goal tally for the game five minutes later. Arthur Masuaku found the striker and once again, he finished past Etheridge, who probably should have done better with both of the goals. Michail Antonio added to the Irons lead just after the hour mark by flicking home a header from a Snodgrass corner kick. Josh Murphy scored a consolation goal deep into stoppage-time but it meant very little in terms of the game.
The victory moved West Ham up to 12th place in the table, while Cardiff remain 16th place in the Premier League.
Tuesday’s other Premier League result
Brighton 3-1 Crystal Palace
Who produced the performance of the night in Tuesday’s Premier League games?
