Sunday’s three Premier League games were potentially vital in the fights for the title and also the top-four race. Here are the key details from those games:
Aguero goal secures vital win for City at Burnley
Manchester City recorded a 1-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor, to move back to the top of the table, a point clear of second place Liverpool.
Burnley made it difficult for the Citizens and Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to break down the home side. The home side offered the first goal threat on 22 minutes, as Ederson came out at the feet of Chris Wood, with the New Zealand international through on goal.
At the other end of the pitch, Bernardo Silva saw a shot from 12 yards saved by Tom Heaton, while Sergio Aguero also fired just wide of goal from just outside the Burnley area.
The reigning champions came out brighter in the second period. Heaton produced good saves from Aguero and Bernardo Silva before Aymeric Laporte saw a headed effort saved by the England international.
The home side were fortunate not to concede a penalty kick, as David Silva’s effort struck the arm of Clarets striker Ashley Barnes in the penalty area. City finally made their pressure play just after the hour mark, just.
The ball fell to Aguero in the penalty area and from close-range, he fired towards goal. Burnley full-back Matt Lowton attempted to clear the ball off the line, but the goal-line decision system confirmed that the striker’s effort had crossed the line. City came close to doubling their lead, as substitute Gabriel Jesus ran in on goal, rounded Heaton, only for Lowton to get back superbly and clear the effort off the line.
In the end, Pep Guardiola’s side held on to maximum points. The Citizens remain favourites to win the Premier League title this season.
Manchester United and Chelsea play out a draw at Old Trafford
The late Premier League kick-off saw Manchester United and Chelsea draw 1-1 at Old Trafford, in a game that could be key to deciding who finishes in the Premier League top-four.
United had the first chance of the game, as Luke Shaw found Romelu Lukaku, who checked back, which allowed Kepa Arrizabalaga to parry his effort. The Red Devils took the lead on 11 minutes.
Lukaku played a superb ball to play in Shaw, who then found Juan Mata 12 yards out and the Spaniard fired home. Centre-back Eric Bailly should have doubled United’s lead but headed wide of goal when well-placed.
Instead, Chelsea equalised just before the break. Blues centre-back Antonio Rudiger tried his luck from distance, United goalkeeper De Gea spilt the effort and Marcos Alonso scored from the rebound. The goal meant that no team has fewer clean sheets than United in the Premier League this season.
The second half was a tense affair, with very few goalscoring opportunities. However, the Red Devils were lucky to not end the game with ten men after Marcos Rojo’s reckless lunge on Willian. Rojo nearly rubbed salt in the wound, as his he saw a header on goal cleared off the line by Chelsea’s Pedro.
A stoppage-time effort from Gonzalo Higuain called David de Gea into action, as the Spaniard block the striker’s effort in a tense finish to the game. The draw coupled with other results elsewhere means that Chelsea are fourth-place, two points clear of fourth-place Arsenal and three clear of their sixth-place opponents.
Sunday’s other Premier League result
Leicester 3-0 Arsenal
Will Manchester City now go on and retain the Premier League title?
