As the season draws towards its conclusion, the results become more significant and decisive. With matchweek 35 done and dusted, we have the relegation picture clear, with Fulham and West Brom joining Sheffield United. At the other end, Man United virtually sealed a seat at Europe’s top table. Let’s see what else happened over the weekend.
Matchweek 35 Roundup
Newcastle United stun Leicester City
Matchweek 35 began with a shock result at the King Power stadium. Newcastle blew Leicester to go 4-0 up, and after a late comeback from the Foxes, ended up winning 4-2. Win or loss ultimately wouldn’t have mattered for the Magpies, but defeat for Brendan Rodgers had huge ramifications.
On Saturday, Leeds all but ended Tottenham’s hopes for qualifying for Champion’s League. After Stuart Dallas had given the hosts the lead, Heung-min Son equalized. But Spurs couldn’t cope with the pressure exerted by Leeds, and goals from Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo sunk them to a comprehensive defeat.
Man City must wait to officially celebrate
In the dress rehearsal for the Champion’s League final, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea gained the advantage. Raheem Sterling’s tap in put Man City in pole position to seal the title. But Aguero’s embarrassing penalty miss proved costly as goals from Hakim Ziyech and in stoppage time Marcos Alonso propelled Chelsea to yet another away victory. The Blues overtook Leicester and are now third, Champion’s League qualification now looking very much a possibility.
Although City lost, they could have still been crowned champions, if Manchester United lost. However, after Bertrand Traore had given Aston Villa a first-half lead, normal service resumed as second half goals from Bruno Fernandes (penalty), Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani earned Man Utd yet another comeback win and maintained their dominance against Villa. Man City will now hope that Leicester can get the job done for them when they visit Old Trafford today.
Later, West Ham suffered a huge blow in their Champion’s League aspirations. At home to Everton, who still have an outside chance of making it into the top-four, they suffered their third defeat in four to leave them five points behind fourth-placed Leicester. Everton have a game in hand, and could go level on points with the Hammers if they win it.
Fulham and West Brom go down with a whimper
Late on Sunday, Arsenal’s 3-1 home win over West Brom sealed the Baggies’ fate. After just one season, West Brom are relegated, with this being Sam Allardyce’s first ever relegation from the Premier League. On Monday, Fulham suffered the same luck as they went down 2-0 at home to Burnley. Despite a mid-season rally, an untimely loss of form resulted in quick return to Championship for the west Londoners.
