With the Champions League in full flow, the Premiership had many midweek fixtures to complete the backlog before the upcoming International break. With games coming thick and fast, rotation has been key as clubs struggle with injury and illness.
Liverpool backed up after their Champions league midweek game with a hard-fought 2-0 win away at Brighton. Although Liverpool were not at their best. The win emphasised their desire to take City all the way to the end with just the 3 points now separating them.
Friday also witnessed Chelsea winning 3-1 away at Norwich keeping them in 3rd position. Meanwhile, Newcastle continued their impressive run up the table with a tough 2-1 away win at Southampton. Aston Villa travelled to struggling Leeds and came home with the points winning 3-0. Also Wolves thumped a hapless Watford 4-0.
On Saturday Manchester United hosted Spurs where a win for either would be critical to the race for 4thand the elusive Champions league position. United have been struggling of late and a Ronaldo Hat-trick gave United all 3 points.
United won 3-2, keeping them in the hunt for the top 4. Spurs will be disappointed as they also are just outside the European places however have games in hand. Saturday also saw Brentford host Burnley & win 2-0 to keep Burnley in 19th position,
Sundays fixtures saw a host of battles at either end of the table. Leeds won a must win 6 pointer. Leeds won 2-1 in the dying minutes against Norwich to boost their chances of survival.
Wolves condemned Everton to a 1-0 defeat away, whilst Watford snuck home a 2-1 win at Southampton. Arsenal kept their European hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Leicester whilst Chelsea won a tough encounter 1-0 at home to Newcastle and West Ham won 2-1 at home to Villa.
Wesley Tronson is an award winning sport writer who spent 7 years in England in soccer and banking. He is now a senior regional manager in banking in Queensland