Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool all fail to win
Thursday 31 January 2019 00:57, UK
After a dramatic midweek of Premier League action, we rate each side's performances.
While Tuesday was a night of dramatic comebacks, Wednesday saw Liverpool fail to capitalise on Manchester City's defeat, and Chelsea suffer a worrying 4-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
Who came top of the class, and who needs to do their homework as we go into February?
Tuesday was, without doubt, Newcastle's best day of 2019 so far.
First there was the news that the club were finally set to break their transfer record that's stood since 2005, then Newcastle produced an excellent display to beat Manchester City in the league for the first time since 2005.
The night didn't start well, with Sergio Aguero scoring after 24 seconds at St James' Park, but Newcastle settled and took advantage of a lacklustre performance from City to claim a crucial win. They are now five points clear of the relegation zone and, with a potential boost from new signings, the future appears to be a little bit brighter than it was at the start of the week. (James Walker-Roberts)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Solomon Rondon 12 points
Since their 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge nearly a year ago, Bournemouth have lost their last 10 in a row against the so-called Big Six. They put that statistic to bed in emphatic fashion as Chelsea were torn to shreds in a breath-taking second half at a bouncing Vitality Stadium.
This was Eddie Howe's 300th game of his second stint as boss, and he marked the occasion in style as a resolute defensive display was coupled with devastating counter-attacking football with David Brooks at the heart of everything.
The Cherries began the season in fine form before a run of two wins in 14 games in all competitions threatened to derail their season. But back-to-back league victories has injected new life into their campaign. (Ben Grounds)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Josh King 20 points
Things started woefully for Fulham and few will have expected them to come back from going 2-0 down but they showed both quality and spirit to earn a precious victory. The likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ryan Babel showed fans they have good reason to believe they can stay up. (Will Unwin)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Aleksandar Mitrovic 19 points
They've gone under the radar of late, but Burnley have enjoyed a drastic improvement this month. Sean Dyche managed to stay upbeat despite throwing away a two-goal lead with three minutes to go, because this was the Burnley of old.
Industrious and disciplined, Burnley were fantastic in all thirds of the pitch, taking their chances and throwing bodies all over the box to deny United. James Tarkowski, Ben Mee and Charlie Taylor were superb, but Tom Heaton was Burnley's star performer with several fine saves.
Are Burnley back to their old selves? Dyche certainly thinks so. (Gerard Brand).
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Tom Heaton 9 points
Cardiff would have been forgiven if the magnitude of the previous week's events had got the better of them at the Emirates. The tragic disappearance of the plane carrying striker Emiliano Sala and his pilot shook the footballing world, and by the time Cardiff's first game rolled around, football seemed immaterial.
But Cardiff produced a performance that matched the touching tributes seen ahead of kick-off. Neil Warnock labelled it the best away from home during his tenure at the club, given the circumstances, you cannot argue with him. (Jack Wilkinson)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Bobby Reid 7 points
Wolves made hard work of victory over West Ham, which sounds odd considering the margin of victory. But for the first hour, it looked like it might be a frustrating night for the hosts, who had taken their time to get into the game but were fully in control once they had.
Raul Jimenez looks every bit the striker they wanted when they loaned him from Benfica in the summer, and chipped in with two goals as part of a fine performance. Wolves moved back to seventh with a third league win from four, and on this evidence they may well stay there. (Ron Walker)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Raul Jimenez 16 points
It was billed as the night where Liverpool would take a giant leap towards a maiden Premier League title, but, in the end, it was more like a tentative step. The Reds move five points clear at the top with just 14 games to play, but it could have been much, much more for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Sadio Mane got them off to a dream start but Leicester, with the help of adverse weather conditions, managed to contain the Reds before they ran amok. A cloud of anxiety descended on Anfield after Harry Maguire's equaliser and few chances fell Liverpool's way before the points were shared.
Liverpool are in pole position for the title but there are valuable lessons to be learned from the draw with Leicester, notably the ability to manage expectations as they move towards an unprecedented English crown. (Jack Wilkinson)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Sadio Mane 8 points
Leicester were on the ropes at Anfield with just two minutes and two seconds on the clock but fought back after Sadio Mane's opener to earn a credible point. Having dealt with the early setback, the Foxes steady growth in the game raised the anxiety levels at Anfield before Harry Maguire equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Leicester have shown that they are a match for any side in the Premier League over the past month but that has been offset by some poor defeats and performances. The display at Anfield, though, showed exactly what Leicester are capable of, Claude Puel will be hoping to see more of the same on a consistent basis. (Jack Wilkinson)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Harry Maguire 13 points
After a first-half performance barely worthy of a grade at all, Tottenham returned to their normal sevles by salvaging a late win. They looked full of the gloom of their last seven days before half-time, devoid of confidence, character or ideas, but once Lucas Moura was introduced at the break, it was a different story.
They were relentless in their second-half dominance and could have sewn up victory earlier had Fernando Llorente not missed when it was easier to score, but he did redeem himself when netting the winner three minutes from time. With Harry Kane not back for another month, he would be a useful man to have in form, and Heung-Min Son's goalscoring return was another big plus. (Ron Walker)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Danny Rose and Fernando Llorente 10 points
Watford could not be faulted for their spirit and organisation at Tottenham, and were good value for their 1-0 lead at half-time. But when Spurs got out of first gear, it became more of a struggle and they did well to hold on as long as they did. In the end fatigue may well have told, as Watford had to do a huge amount of running to keep themselves organised as Spurs' tempo increased, but they can take plenty of heart in a season which continues to impress with Javi Gracia at the helm, and look forward to a reunion with pantomime villain Marco Silva on Saturday.
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Craig Cathcart 8 points
An underwhelming performance from Arsenal on an emotional night at the Emirates, where football was put into perspective. The Gunners spent large parts of the first half keeping a spirited Cardiff side at bay. Mesut Ozil was ineffective, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were isolated and it took a rash challenge from Bruno Manga to hand the hosts an opening.
After Aubameyang put Arsenal's noses in front from the penalty spot, a moment of individual brilliance from Lacazette settled the contest. If was far from convincing but, as Unai Emery rightly pointed out after the game, a victory should not be sniffed at on the night when Manchester City and Manchester United failed to win. (Jack Wilkinson)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 10 points
Everton went into their game with bottom side Huddersfield with the third-worst run in the division, collecting just eight points from their previous 10 games, but they showed great character to respond to their shock FA Cup exit to Millwall.
Marco Silva made five changes to his side, and it was only after Lucas Digne's sending off that a Terriers team looking to impress their new head coach Jan Siewert caused any problems.
With just one shot on target after the break, this was far from spectacular, as Silva admitted himself, but grinding out victories must become a trait of Everton after recent signs of a soft underbelly.
Having got what they deserved at The Den, this was a deserved victory that moved Silva's men back up to eighth in the table. (Ben Grounds)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Michael Keane 12 points
The size of the task facing Jan Siewert was made clear in 90 minutes that encapsulated Huddersfield's season. The Terriers suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Everton, a ninth time this campaign that they have lost by the odd goal.
It means they equalled a record for fewest top-flight goals after 13 home games - five, level with Arsenal in 1912/13. They only have 13 overall in their 24 league games, and here they only tested Jordan Pickford after Lucas Digne's sending off with 24 minutes remaining.
The positive is the return of Aaron Mooy after seven weeks out with knee ligament damage, but with the side now 11 points adrift of safety, it would seem that Siewert's main task will be to rebuild and prepare for a return to the Championship. (Ben Grounds)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Zanka 4 points
Ralph Hasenhuttl has installed a backbone in this Southampton team and they may well have rolled over in this type of game earlier in the season under Mark Hughes.
However, while that resolve was enough against Crystal Palace, they will need to show more quality between now and the end of the season to cement their Premier League status.
James Ward-Prowse is now a regular source of goals and it should see him moved further forward to boost what is an increasingly feeble Saints goal threat. (Nick Howson)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Matt Targett 10 points
The Eagles have certainly turned the corner after two straight league defeats and Roy Hodgson will have seen enough at St Mary's to convince him his side can beat the drop.
Wilfried Zaha's lack of self-control was a reflection of Palace's frustration at losing their lead, which they should have built on.
If they can continue to mirror these displays on the road and deliver an occasional win at Selhurst Park, South London will be hosting top fight football again next term. (Nick Howson)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend 5 points
For the first time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the intensity in the first 20 minutes was not there for United. It's a testament to Burnley's defence, who forced United wide and piled the central areas, but this was a frustrating night for the hosts.
Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba were crowded out at every opportunity, though if Rashford had tucked away a simple early chance.
They did show their spirit of old in the final stages, and Solskjaer is probably not far wrong in saying they would have won it if they'd played another few minutes, but that bite of the previous eight games was not there. (Gerard Brand)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Victor Lindelof 11 points
A fast start but there were plenty of defensive issues that let Brighton down. Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk are usually key to Brighton's solidity but both were at fault for goals, leading to some infighting, something they need to quash sooner rather than later. (Will Unwin)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Glenn Murray 14 points
West Ham were utterly ineffective and dispiritingly dull as they went through the motions en route to a 3-0 defeat at Wolves.
There were no positives for the Hammers on a night where they were outfought and out-thought at Molineux, and lost Arnautovic to an injury which looks like it could be serious with 18 minutes to go. Back to the drawing board. (Ron Walker)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Five players on 2 points
After eight wins in a row and 29 goals scored without reply, City were oddly lacklustre against Newcastle as they missed the chance to put some pressure on Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
Aguero's early goal looked to have given City the perfect start, but they rarely looked like extending their advantage. It was a performance that was reminiscent of City's first-half display against Lyon earlier in the season; lacking in intensity and featuring an uncharacteristic amount of errors.
Even when Newcastle took the lead in the 80th minute, City struggled to respond. With their next three games against Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea, they will need to find a response quickly if they are going to stay in the title race. (James Walker-Roberts)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - Sergio Aguero 7 points
Maurizio Sarri questioned whether he is the man to motivate this Chelsea squad, and the manner in which his side collapsed in the second half on the south coast will greatly concern the Italian as he looks to secure a top-four finish.
Bournemouth rode their luck at times, by Eddie Howe's own admission, with Artur Boruc producing a fine save to deny Mateo Kovacic an early opener, but this was a night of no positives as Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain played like strangers in their first appearance together.
Chelsea's 12-match unbeaten start in the league now seems but a distant memory and speculation as to whether Sarri will be in charge next season will grow if there are many more displays as insipid as this. (Ben Grounds)
Top Sky Sports Fantasy Football scorer - N'Golo Kante 5 points
