Man City one win from title; Giroud inspires Chelsea win

Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all won on Saturday in the EPL.

Victor Moses was on the bench for 90 minutes as Chelsea came from two goals down to defeat relegation-threatened Southampton 3-2 at the St. Mary’s stadium. Dusan Tadic converted Ryan Bertrand’s cross to give the Saints a first half lead, and it was 2-0 on the hour when Polish defender Jan Bednarek’s left footed strike sailed beyond Courtois.

Conte brought on Oliver Giroud and the French striker brought life to a rather turgid Blues who went on to score three goals in eight minutes. Former Arsenal striker, Giroud, headed in the first goal, and delivered a left-footed drive while Eden Hazard’s shot equalized for the soon-to-be-deposed EPL champions.

Kelechi Iheanacho could not inspire a comeback for wasteful Leicester City as they lost 2-1 at Burnley who are on the cusp of European football next season. Early goals from Cris Wood and Kevin Long gave the Clarets a two-goal lead at half time. Former Man City forward, Iheanacho, was brought on at half time and his clever pass to Jaimie Verdy led to the Englishman scoring their only goal.

Liverpool continued their scintillating run of form with a routine 3-0 win over Bournemouth with goals scored by the attacking trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino. Mane opened the scoring on seven minutes, Salah headed in for his 30th League goal of the season and Firmino’s excellent finish- his 25th goal of the season in all competition- completed a win which brought the Anfield club to within a point of Man United in second place.

In the late kick off and top clash of the day, Manchester City won 3-1 against Tottenham at Wembley stadium to halt a bad patch of three straight loses.

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring twenty two minutes in through route one football- a hallmark of the EPL. Vincent Kompany’a long ball picked out Gabriel Jesus and the Brazilian striker evaded the attention of Davidson Sanchez, controlled and slotted home his 11th league goal of the season.

City’s second three minutes later was a contentious penalty awarded for a tackle outside the box on Sterling, who dived into the box, by Spurs keeper Lloris. Ikay Gundogan sent the French keeper the wrong way as he buried his kick into the bottom corner for 2-0. Erikson, however, scored before the break to half the deficit, converting when Laporte’s block from his initial shot ricochet off him and beyond Ederson in goal following a through ball from the underwhelming Harry Kane.

Spurs came out fighting in the second half but City withstood long period of pressure, before Guardiola’s changes stemmed their opponent’s flow. Raheem Sterling sealed the win with the goal his performance deserved. The England international slammed home the rebound after Jesus’ initial shot was saved by Lloris. The victory puts them one win away from the title which could be sealed at home to Swansea next weekend.

RESULTS

Southampton 2-3 Chelsea

Burnley 2-1 Leicester

Crystal Palace 3-2 Brighton

Huddersfield 1-0 Watford

Swansea 1-1 Everton

Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth

Tottenham 1-3 Man City