IRELAND STRIKER SHANE Long scored his first Premier League goal since May, but it wasn’t enough for Southampton as West Brom came from behind to beat them at St Mary’s Stadium.
Hal Robson-Kanu marked his first league start of the season in style as his side secured a hard-fought 2-1 away victory.
Wales forward Kanu, who has made a string of substitute appearances for Tony Pulis’ side since his arrival at The Hawthorns in August, blasted in a spectacular maiden West Brom goal 50 minutes into the lively enounter.
Long’s goal had put Claude Puel’s side ahead five minutes before the interval, only for Matt Phillips to cancel out Southampton’s lead moments later.
Southampton pressed hard for an equaliser as the game wore on, though they had to rely on Fraser Forster to keep them in the contest with a fine stop to deny James Morrison.
But for all their possession, the hosts mustered little as they slumped to a second successive home defeat, Van Dijk’s 89th-minute dismissal capping off a miserable day for Puel’s men.
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Meanwhile, rock-bottom Swansea City’s struggles continued as they were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium in their first fixture since the dismissal of Bob Bradley.
Bradley was fired in the wake of Swansea’s 4-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of West Ham on Boxing Day, lasting less than three months in the job after replacing Francesco Guidolin in October.
The Swans turned to Alan Curtis for a third time following Bradley’s exit and the caretaker manager made seven changes to the starting XI in an attempt to get things back on track.
It was to no avail, however, as Swansea put in a lacklustre performance in the opening 45 minutes, with goals from Benik Afobe and Ryan Fraser condemning them to a two-goal deficit at half-time.
The Welsh side slightly improved after the break, but were unable to claw a way back and the game was beyond them when Josh King netted with two minutes left, meaning Swansea remain bottom heading into 2017 with a mere 12 points from 19 games.
Slimani was the hero for Leicester City. Mike Egerton
Mike Egerton
At the King Power Stadium, Islam Slimani ensured Leicester City ended a dream 2016 with a much-needed 1-0 victory over West Ham.
The Foxes completed a scarcely believable Premier League title triumph last season, but a run of just one win in nine league outings had left Claudio Ranieri’s men just three points above the drop zone prior to today’s match.
However, the champions will enter 2017 with a welcome confidence boost, thanks to Slimani’s thumping 20th-minute header ensuring a welcome three points.
Andre Gray scored his first Premier League hat-trick to move Burnley nine points clear of the relegation zone and heap more misery on David Moyes with a 4-1 win over Sunderland.
Gray broke the deadlock after 30 minutes at Turf Moor, making the most of some abysmal Sunderland defending and setting the tone for another dreadful day for Moyes.
He wrapped up his hat-trick with two goals in just under three second-half minutes before Ashley Barnes’ 67th-minute penalty added to Sunderland’s humiliation.
Jermain Defoe did restore some pride for Sunderland four minutes later, but his effort will provide little comfort for a team that lost Lamine Kone to injury 24 minutes in and saw Victor Anichebe sustain a hamstring problem.
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Shane Long ends drought but not enough for Saints, while Swansea's struggles continue without Bradley
IRELAND STRIKER SHANE Long scored his first Premier League goal since May, but it wasn’t enough for Southampton as West Brom came from behind to beat them at St Mary’s Stadium.
Hal Robson-Kanu marked his first league start of the season in style as his side secured a hard-fought 2-1 away victory.
Wales forward Kanu, who has made a string of substitute appearances for Tony Pulis’ side since his arrival at The Hawthorns in August, blasted in a spectacular maiden West Brom goal 50 minutes into the lively enounter.
Long’s goal had put Claude Puel’s side ahead five minutes before the interval, only for Matt Phillips to cancel out Southampton’s lead moments later.
Southampton pressed hard for an equaliser as the game wore on, though they had to rely on Fraser Forster to keep them in the contest with a fine stop to deny James Morrison.
But for all their possession, the hosts mustered little as they slumped to a second successive home defeat, Van Dijk’s 89th-minute dismissal capping off a miserable day for Puel’s men.
Meanwhile, rock-bottom Swansea City’s struggles continued as they were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium in their first fixture since the dismissal of Bob Bradley.
Bradley was fired in the wake of Swansea’s 4-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of West Ham on Boxing Day, lasting less than three months in the job after replacing Francesco Guidolin in October.
The Swans turned to Alan Curtis for a third time following Bradley’s exit and the caretaker manager made seven changes to the starting XI in an attempt to get things back on track.
It was to no avail, however, as Swansea put in a lacklustre performance in the opening 45 minutes, with goals from Benik Afobe and Ryan Fraser condemning them to a two-goal deficit at half-time.
The Welsh side slightly improved after the break, but were unable to claw a way back and the game was beyond them when Josh King netted with two minutes left, meaning Swansea remain bottom heading into 2017 with a mere 12 points from 19 games.
At the King Power Stadium, Islam Slimani ensured Leicester City ended a dream 2016 with a much-needed 1-0 victory over West Ham.
The Foxes completed a scarcely believable Premier League title triumph last season, but a run of just one win in nine league outings had left Claudio Ranieri’s men just three points above the drop zone prior to today’s match.
However, the champions will enter 2017 with a welcome confidence boost, thanks to Slimani’s thumping 20th-minute header ensuring a welcome three points.
Andre Gray scored his first Premier League hat-trick to move Burnley nine points clear of the relegation zone and heap more misery on David Moyes with a 4-1 win over Sunderland.
Gray broke the deadlock after 30 minutes at Turf Moor, making the most of some abysmal Sunderland defending and setting the tone for another dreadful day for Moyes.
He wrapped up his hat-trick with two goals in just under three second-half minutes before Ashley Barnes’ 67th-minute penalty added to Sunderland’s humiliation.
Jermain Defoe did restore some pride for Sunderland four minutes later, but his effort will provide little comfort for a team that lost Lamine Kone to injury 24 minutes in and saw Victor Anichebe sustain a hamstring problem.
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