Lampard beat Mourinho, again, VAR was at the centre of things, again, while Aston Villa and Newcastle’s poor form continued. Here are the Winners and Losers Premier League: Matchweek 27. Bet on the Premier League here.
WINNERS
Olivier Giroud and Chelsea
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard took a risk by starting out of favour striker Olivier Giroud against Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby on Saturday. The decision paid off after just 15 minutes when the veteran forward scored the opener. The 33-year-old has started just three Premier League matches all season but showed why he should be ahead of Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order. His goal also helped the Blues complete the double over their bitter rivals and boost their hopes of finishing in the top four. The win also helped Chelsea end a run of just one win in five games.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal improvement
He had a slow start as Arsenal manager but we’re beginning to see a glimpse of what Mikel Arteta’s side will look like next season. The Gunners are unbeaten in 2020 and registered consecutive league wins for the first time since winning their opening two games of the season. Although weaknesses are still conspicuous in the Gunners’ team, there are positive signs that they will get better with time.
Home teams
It was a good weekend for home teams in the Premier League this weekend. In the ten games played on Matchweek 27, eight teams emerged winners at home. Manchester City were the only team to win away from home, beating Leicester 1-0. Sheffield United’s home game with Brighton ended in a stalemate.
LOSERS
Jose Mourinho
Spurs’ top-four hopes suffered a setback after Saturday’s London derby defeat at Chelsea. Jose Mourinho could be forgiven for the result since he’s missing his two best forwards. However, the performance was insipid. Things could’ve been worse if Giovanni Lo Celso was sent off for a dangerous lunge on Cesar Azpilicueta. He’ll have the summer to sort many things out but now, his team looks weary and incapable of overcoming adversity.
Aston Villa
Villa suffered another league defeat which left them just a point above the relegation zone. This wasn’t the best preparation for the Carabao Cup final next weekend against Manchester City. Dean Smith’s side were second best throughout the match as they conceded 28 shots whilst mustering just four attempts on goal and just one on target. They play Leicester City and Chelsea in their next two matches. Can they get out of the mire?
VAR
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was at the centre of attention in the league this weekend, again. One decision that received widespread scrutiny was Lo Celso’s stamp on Azpilicueta, with the Argentine escaping a red card. Another incident involved Burnley’s home game with Bournemouth. Harry Wilson thought he had equalised for the Cherries. However, VAR judged that Adam Smith had used his upper arm to control and clear a Burnley cross in his own area as the move started. This led to their goal being disallowed and Burnley awarded the spot-kick as a result. Leicester felt they were denied a penalty when City’s keeper Ederson was adjudged to have floored Kelechi Iheanacho. VAR awarded City a penalty after Dennis Praet charged down Ilkay Gundogan’s effort with his arm.
Newcastle
Newcastle United’s poor form continued over the weekend after they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace. The defeat was the second in a row and their win over Chelsea remains their only one in 2020. Moreover, they’ve won just once in their last nine league matches. That poor run of form is threatening to drag them into the relegation fight. They currently occupy 14th place, seven points above the danger zone.