Wednesday 4 May 2016

Foxes Seal Maiden Title While Swans Stun Reds

The finale to what will surely go down in history as most exciting and unpredictable Premier League season is just three weeks away. Game-week 36 focused around the unique title battle between Leicester and Tottenham with both after an historic triumph.

The weekend began with five 3pm games with the review starting with Everton's hosting of Bournemouth at Goodison Park with both sides just looking to boost their final positions in the league having avoided the drop. The Toffees struck an early opener as Tom Cleverley fired them into the lead on seven minutes but an instant reply from Marc Pugh levelled at 1-1 inside ten minutes. The Blues sealed a 2-1 win midway through the second half as Leighton Baines struck on 64 minutes with his first goal from open play since January 2013.

In a battle to avoid the drop, Newcastle United hosted Crystal Palace at St James' Park knowing a win coupled with negative results for their fellow battlers could leave them above the drop zone. They did their job in securing a potentially vital win as Andros Townsend continued his fine form since joining from Tottenham by slotting in the winner on the hour for a 1-0 success.


Relegation battlers Sunderland travelled to the Britannia Stadium to face a Stoke City side with an outside chance of securing a European spot with the visitors needing a win to move closer to safety. After a goalless first half, their task was made difficult by an opening goal from Marko Arnautovic just five minutes after the restart for 1-0 and as the game entered the final minutes, the hosts looked on the cards for success. However, Sunderland secured what could be a vital point in the relegation battle via a late strike from Jermain Defoe who secured a 1-1 draw.

Watford hosted already relegated Aston Villa looking to boost their hopes of a top half finish by extending Villa's horrific campaign. The visitors took a surprise lead on 25 minutes through Ciaran Clark only to be pegged back just before half-time by Almen Abdi's equaliser for 1-1. Jordan Ayew fired Villa back in front within three minutes of the restart and despite the dismissal of Aly Cissokho on 73 minutes, Villa looked to be on course for a rare win. However, Watford and Troy Deeney especially staged a stunning hate show as the striker fired in twice in the final minutes to secure a 3-2 win.


Rounding off the afternoon was West Brom hosting West Ham United with the Hammers still in the hunt for a top four spot while the Baggies were happy to have secured safety from the drop zone. The Hammers struck the opening goal on 34 minutes as Cheikou Kouyate fired in before Marc Noble doubled the lead just before half-time. A comfortable win was wrapped up on 79 minutes as Noble struck for a second time to make it 3-0 and close the gap to the top four.

The evening game saw top four challengers Arsenal host relegation battlers Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium with the Canaries knowing anything but a win would leave them two points from safety. The Gunners sealed a narrow win courtesy of a Danny Welbeck strike on 59 minutes which opened up a gap on their chasers but also left Norwich with a gap to safety.


Sunday's action saw an early kick-off at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea City hosted a Liverpool side still in the hunt for Europe on two fronts and with the Europa League semi on Thursday, the Reds fielded a very young side. However, it was to be a mixed gamble as the Swans raced into a 2-0 lead through Andre Ayew and a stunning effort from Jack Cork. Substitute Christian Benteke cut the gap on 65 minutes before an instant blow as Ayew made it 3-1 with his second. A miserable afternoon for the Reds was compounded by the dismissal of Brad Smith on 76 minutes in a loss that leaves them all but out of the top four hunt.

The Super Sunday double header saw top four hopefuls Manchester United host table toppers Leicester City at Old Trafford with the Foxes needing a win to wrap up an historic first league title. Their hopes were dealt an early blow as Anthony Martial fired the hosts ahead inside eight minutes before Foxes captain Wes Morgan levelled in the 17th minute for 1-1.The sides remained level long into the second half and the Foxes hopes of a win were dented by the late dismissal of Danny Drinkwater leaving them to wait at least one further day to claim the title.


In a battle between two sided challenging for European spots, Southampton hosted a weakened Manchester City side who looked to have one eye on their upcoming Champions League semi final. The Saints took full advantage as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside the half hour mark with Shane Long and Sadio Mané on target. Kelechi Iheanacho cut the gap just before half-time but two further efforts from Mané either side of the hour made it 4-1. The last say on the game came from Iheanacho as he struck his second goal on 78 minutes for 4-2.

The final game of the weekend proved to be the most pivotal as Chelsea hosted rivals and title challengers Tottenham in what turned out to be one of the most fiery London derbies between the sides in EPL history with a total of 12 players booked yet none sent off across the 90 minutes.

Tottenham knew that anything but a win would mean Leicester City would claim the title with two games to spare so it was no surprise that the visitors struck first as Harry Kane fired in on 35 minutes with Son Heung-Min doubling the lead just before half-time. Gary Cahill cut the gap for the Blues just before the hour mark before Eden Hazard levelled for 2-2 with seven minutes left to create history for the second season in a row by scoring the goal which decided the destination of the league title. The draw meant Tottenham's challenge sadly ended but a first ever top two finish looks on the cards.

To end the review, it is surreal even now to say - Leicester City - 2015/16 Premier League Champions.

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