With Sunday’s attention on the fight for the Premier League title, Saturday’s focus was on the fight for Premier League survival and the battle for top-four.
In the end, Burnley and Southampton secured potentially massive wins at the bottom, while Spurs and Manchester United enhanced their top-four chances. Here are more details of the two key results at the bottom of the table:
Wood double downs Cardiff at Turf Moor
Burnley moved one step closer to securing their Premier League survival with a 2-0 home win over 18th place Cardiff City at Turf Moor.
Burnley had the first attempt of the game on 26 minutes, as Ashley Westwood fired an effort straight at Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. The Clarets did find the net on 31 minutes, though, as Chris Wood headed home from close-range from a Paddy McNeil corner kick.
Etheridge was again on hand to save another effort from Westwood, as the home side looked to double their lead. Cardiff looked to be back in the game two minutes into the second half. Burnley centre-back Ben Mee appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area.
Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot, only to change his mind after a conversation with his assistant. The decision to change the decision did not go down well with Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock.
The Welsh side should have equalised on 63 minutes, but Junior Hoilett smashed over the bar when left unmarked in the penalty area. Etheridge was busy at the other end of the pitch, saving from Wood and Mee.
The visitors saw a second penalty appeal turned down on 89 minutes, as Bruno Manga’s effort looked to have touched the arm of James Tarkowski. It got worse for the visitors in stoppage-time, as Wood headed home a second goal from close-range after superb play from McNeil.
The victory moved Burnley 11 points clear of the Bluebirds, who remain five points from safety with games running out. The Welsh side are now red-hot favourites to join Fulham and Huddersfield in the Championship next season.
Saints record potentially priceless win against Wolves
Southampton recorded a 3-1 victory over Wolves at St Mary’s, to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.
The Saints took just two minutes to take the lead. Josh Sims produced a good run before finding Nathan Redmond, who fired home. Wolves went close to equalising, as Leander Dendoncker headed over the bar from a set-piece and Raul Jimenez forced Saints goalkeeper Angus Gunn into a low save.
The visitors equalised on 28 minutes, as centre-back Wily Boly headed home from a corner kick. The parity lasted just two minutes, though, as Sims and Redmond once again played a part in the move. The former found Redmond with a superb through ball and the winger kept his nerve to dink the ball over Wolves ‘keeper Rui Patricio.
Sims then missed two good opportunities, when well placed. Wolves looked more dangerous in the second period, as Diogo Jota fired wide of goal, while Jimenez fired over the bar from 12 yards out.
The home side sealed victory on 71 minutes. Maya Yoshida found Shane Long and the Republic of Ireland striker scored by flicking the ball over Patricio. The Wolves stopper then produced a close-range save from Yoshida.
The victory moved the Saints a step closer to safety this season. Meanwhile, Wolves remain eighth place in the table.
Saturday’s other Premier League results
Tottenham 4-0 Huddersfield
Brighton 0-5 Bournemouth
Fulham 2-0 Everton
Manchester United 2-1 West Ham
Who recorded the biggest win of Saturday in the Premier League?
