Premier League Weekend Review: The Winners and Losers as Liverpool go 16 Points Clear

Another round of Premier League fixtures have been and gone and, yet again, they bought plenty of drama, action, and, as always, controversy.

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table to 16 points, Norwich can officially no longer win the league, and Bournemouth were plunged deeper into trouble with their fifth defeat in six games.

We’ve had a look at those who had a good weekend, and those who didn’t, in our latest winners and losers piece.

 

Weekend Winners

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Cenk Tosun gets off to a goalscoring start

28-year-old Tosun had, pretty much, a dream full debut for Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The Everton loanee has struggled at his parent club so far, scoring 10 goals in 50 games, but he started his Palace career with a bang when he netted his new side’s opener against Champions Manchester City on Saturday.

Cenk Tosun scores against City for Palace, a player currently on loan from Everton. Poetic. pic.twitter.com/jjlLPR7cQE

— 🥤 (@TheImmortalKop) January 18, 2020

Palace went on to draw 2-2 and take a well-earned point back to Selhurst Park.

 

Alisson Becker with another clean sheet (and an assist)

Not only did Liverpool extended their unbeaten run and lead at the top of the Premier League, but they also keep their 11th clean sheet in 12 games. Obviously the defence plays a huge role in that, but Alisson, in goal, is certainly to thank, too.

The reason the Brazilian stopper makes it onto our winners list, though, is for his late assist in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

With Liverpool one up in the 93rd minute of the game, the ball fell to Alisson in the Liverpool goal. Rather than calming things down and holding onto the ball, he spotted Mo Salah alone on the halfway line and played his former Roma teammate in for 2-0 – a brilliant assist.

Alisson celebrated by sprinting past every outfield player on his way to the other end of the pitch to greet Salah. Nice.

Every other Liverpool player was out on their feet by this point, as Alisson sprints past them all to celebrate his assist with Salah pic.twitter.com/fF51zxfzGl

— James Nalton (@JDNalton) January 19, 2020

 

Raúl Jiménez continues to score goals

Raúl Jiménez has been a key player for Wolves for a while and was once again on Saturday.

The Mexican started up top but found his side 2-0 down at half-time away at Southampton. Pedro Neto pulled one back for Wolves before Jiménez stole the show, equalising with a penalty before netting the winner just 10 minutes later to take his tally to 10 for the season and help his side leapfrog Sheffield United into sixth in the table.

 

Weekend Losers

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Jamie Vardy misses a penalty

Vardy has, perhaps, been the player of the season this year in the Premier League. He’s way out in front in the top scorer charts with 17 goals and has helped Leicester all but secure a top-four spot once again.

At the weekend, however, he cost his side. With the Foxes’ game with Burnley in the balance at 1-1, the 33-year-old was presented with the opportunity to put his team back into the lead when Ben Mee fouled Harvey Barnes in the area. He, though, fired a poor penalty at a nice height for Burnley ‘keeper Nick Pope and his effort was kept out.

Jamie Vardy hasn’t scored a PL goal since his wife gave birth.

— Ugbedeojo #MUFC (@Certifiedopeboi) January 19, 2020

Burnley went onto win the game 2-1 and Leicester slipped down a place to third in the league.

 

Chelsea fans with a long trip back to London

Chelsea fans have had a hard time of late. Their team have been pretty inconsistent and have suffered some poor results, such as losses to the likes of Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton, although they still, somehow, remain inside the top four.

Saturday’s result may have topped the lot.

Away at Newcastle, Chelsea were destined for victory. Their away form has been good, and, facing off against a bottom-half team, they’d have fancied their chances.

Heading towards full-time at 0-0, a point would’ve been fine. Not ideal, but fine.

Isaac Hayden had other ideas.

The former Arsenal midfielder rose highest to head home a 94th – yes, 94th – minute winner for the Magpies. Gutting for the Chelsea faithful, and it would’ve made the 287 mile, five-hour journey back a little more painful.

 

Eddie Howe on borrowed time at Bournemouth

Bournemouth are in absolute free-fall and they suffered another loss at the weekend – against ‘basement boys’ Norwich – to make it 12 without a win in the Premier League.

Captain, and defender, Steve Cook thought he was a goalkeeper, the strikers can’t score, there have been reports of training ground bust-ups, and poor old Eddie Howe is at the centre of it all.

The Cherries sit 19th in the Premier League and three points from safety. It’s hard to see where the next goal is going to come from, let alone the next win, and Howe will really be feeling the pressure.

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Let’s see what next weekend will bring!

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