LEICESTER TOOK ANOTHER big step towards Premier League glory today, as a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace saw them go eight points clear at the top.
Leicester require a total of 17 points from a possible 21 to be guaranteed the Premier League title, meaning they need to win six of their final seven games at most.
The Foxes’ final fixture, away to Chelsea, looks tricky, but they will hope to have the league wrapped up by then, rendering that particular match’s outcome virtually irrelevant in the process.
And indeed, Claudio Ranieri’s men are starting to look unstoppable now. The Foxes aren’t outplaying teams, but they’re consistently just doing enough — they have secured 1-0 wins in four of their past five matches, and 13 in total this campaign, which is more than any other Premier League side.
Moreover, with the kind of form Riyad Mahrez is in, every player will be confident of prevailing — today’s match-winner has now either scored or assisted exactly 50% of Leicester’s goals this season (27). Similarly, Jamie Vardy, who laid on the assist, has been involved in 25 of their 54 goals (19 scored plus six assisted).
2. More woe for Palace and Villa as Norwich and Swansea secure breathing space
Crystal Palace's mascot, the eagle, takes off from a goal post prior to today's game. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
It was a big day in the relegation dogfight. Norwich and Swansea earned potentially vital wins, while the problems of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace deepened.
Tomorrow’s derby between relegation rivals Sunderland and Newcastle will be another huge game in the battle to avoid the drop.
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Swansea, now on 36 points, are looking safe after their 1-0 victory over Villa, who seem almost certain to go down — even winning all their remaining fixtures would leave them on just 37 points.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace fans must be getting nervous — the Eagles are the only side in England without a league victory in 2016, and are now winless in 13 matches.
And Alex Neil’s Norwich, on 28 points, are far from safe either, despite today’s triumph. There were mixed fortunes for the Canaries’ Irish duo, meanwhile, as Robbie Brady scored and was named man-of-the-match, while Wes Hoolahan was an unused sub, with Neil opting to go with a 4-4-2 at the expense of the ex-Shels star this afternoon.
3. Alex Iwobi looks like a star in the making
Arsenal's Alex Iwobi celebrates scoring their second goal of the game. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The outcome leaves the Gunners 11 points behind leaders Leicester, though with a game in hand.
One particularly intriguing aspect of today’s match was Arsenal’s starting XI, as following on from the game in Barcelona, Wenger again opted to start Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny, while naming the experienced likes of Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Per Mertesacker on the bench.
The 66-year-old manager was ultimately rewarded, with Iwobi in particular catching the eye, scoring a goal and putting in a fine all-round performance on his first-ever Premier League start.
4. Fabregas impresses as unlucky West Ham’s top-four hopes dealt a blow
West Ham’s top-four hopes were dealt a harsh blow at Stamford Bridge today, following the concession of a late goal in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
The Hammers are still only one point off Man City, but their rivals have an opportunity to pull clear in tomorrow’s Manchester Derby.
The manner in which the last-minute goal came about will be particularly galling to Slaven Bilic and co, as not only did there appear to be minimal contact between Michail Antonio and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the penalty decision, but the dubious infringement appeared to take place outside the area.
From Chelsea’s perspective, Guus Hiddink will be encouraged by the fact that the Londoners have managed to preserve their Premier League unbeaten run since the Dutch coach took over in December.
In addition, man-of-the-match Fabregas delivered the type of display he routinely produced last season, scoring twice and having more shots, passes and touches than any other player in the game.
5. Morale boost for Jon Walters and Stoke
Stoke beat Watford 2-1 this afternoon, with the result taking them up to seventh and leaving the Potters just one point behind Man United in sixth.
Having been left on the bench for Stoke’s previous two games, Jon Walters returned to the starting line-up today, and Mark Hughes’ decision was rewarded, as the 32-year-old attacker opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
It was the 11th goal of the season in total for Walters, who was effectively deployed on the right wing today and was named man-of-the-match in Stoke’s win, as he completed an excellent 13-pass move to put his side ahead.
And afterwards, Hughes was full of praise for the Irish international, saying: “I spoke to Jonathan earlier in the week and told him he was playing.
“You could tell from the start that he was focused and ready to make an impact — he’s not been playing for the last few weeks but he came in to good effect.”
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Leicester 17 points from glory and more Premier League talking points
Updated at 15.47
1. Leicester 17 points away from glory
LEICESTER TOOK ANOTHER big step towards Premier League glory today, as a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace saw them go eight points clear at the top.
Leicester require a total of 17 points from a possible 21 to be guaranteed the Premier League title, meaning they need to win six of their final seven games at most.
The Foxes’ final fixture, away to Chelsea, looks tricky, but they will hope to have the league wrapped up by then, rendering that particular match’s outcome virtually irrelevant in the process.
And indeed, Claudio Ranieri’s men are starting to look unstoppable now. The Foxes aren’t outplaying teams, but they’re consistently just doing enough — they have secured 1-0 wins in four of their past five matches, and 13 in total this campaign, which is more than any other Premier League side.
Moreover, with the kind of form Riyad Mahrez is in, every player will be confident of prevailing — today’s match-winner has now either scored or assisted exactly 50% of Leicester’s goals this season (27). Similarly, Jamie Vardy, who laid on the assist, has been involved in 25 of their 54 goals (19 scored plus six assisted).
2. More woe for Palace and Villa as Norwich and Swansea secure breathing space
It was a big day in the relegation dogfight. Norwich and Swansea earned potentially vital wins, while the problems of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace deepened.
Tomorrow’s derby between relegation rivals Sunderland and Newcastle will be another huge game in the battle to avoid the drop.
Swansea, now on 36 points, are looking safe after their 1-0 victory over Villa, who seem almost certain to go down — even winning all their remaining fixtures would leave them on just 37 points.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace fans must be getting nervous — the Eagles are the only side in England without a league victory in 2016, and are now winless in 13 matches.
And Alex Neil’s Norwich, on 28 points, are far from safe either, despite today’s triumph. There were mixed fortunes for the Canaries’ Irish duo, meanwhile, as Robbie Brady scored and was named man-of-the-match, while Wes Hoolahan was an unused sub, with Neil opting to go with a 4-4-2 at the expense of the ex-Shels star this afternoon.
3. Alex Iwobi looks like a star in the making
Arsenal bounced back impressively from their midweek Champions League exit, as they secured a convincing 2-0 win over troubled Everton at Goodison Park.
The outcome leaves the Gunners 11 points behind leaders Leicester, though with a game in hand.
One particularly intriguing aspect of today’s match was Arsenal’s starting XI, as following on from the game in Barcelona, Wenger again opted to start Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny, while naming the experienced likes of Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Per Mertesacker on the bench.
The 66-year-old manager was ultimately rewarded, with Iwobi in particular catching the eye, scoring a goal and putting in a fine all-round performance on his first-ever Premier League start.
4. Fabregas impresses as unlucky West Ham’s top-four hopes dealt a blow
West Ham’s top-four hopes were dealt a harsh blow at Stamford Bridge today, following the concession of a late goal in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
The Hammers are still only one point off Man City, but their rivals have an opportunity to pull clear in tomorrow’s Manchester Derby.
The manner in which the last-minute goal came about will be particularly galling to Slaven Bilic and co, as not only did there appear to be minimal contact between Michail Antonio and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the penalty decision, but the dubious infringement appeared to take place outside the area.
From Chelsea’s perspective, Guus Hiddink will be encouraged by the fact that the Londoners have managed to preserve their Premier League unbeaten run since the Dutch coach took over in December.
In addition, man-of-the-match Fabregas delivered the type of display he routinely produced last season, scoring twice and having more shots, passes and touches than any other player in the game.
5. Morale boost for Jon Walters and Stoke
Stoke beat Watford 2-1 this afternoon, with the result taking them up to seventh and leaving the Potters just one point behind Man United in sixth.
Having been left on the bench for Stoke’s previous two games, Jon Walters returned to the starting line-up today, and Mark Hughes’ decision was rewarded, as the 32-year-old attacker opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
It was the 11th goal of the season in total for Walters, who was effectively deployed on the right wing today and was named man-of-the-match in Stoke’s win, as he completed an excellent 13-pass move to put his side ahead.
And afterwards, Hughes was full of praise for the Irish international, saying: “I spoke to Jonathan earlier in the week and told him he was playing.
“You could tell from the start that he was focused and ready to make an impact — he’s not been playing for the last few weeks but he came in to good effect.”
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