The Premier League recently completed their split-round, which served as their winter break. This meant that all the teams played their matches over the weekend, instead of the usual spread throughout the week. Let’s take a look at some of the key games that took place during this period.
Liverpool faced off against Bournemouth and came out with a convincing 4-0 victory. However, despite their dominance, Liverpool haven’t been able to secure comfortable wins in recent matches. Their games have been filled with drama and chaos, much like Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Liverpool’s ability to come out on top despite the chaos is a testament to their quality. They are now five points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal, on the other hand, had a resounding 5-0 win against Crystal Palace. However, they can’t feel too good about it as their attacking play hasn’t been up to par in recent matches. Palace adopted a defensive approach and tried to crowd out Arsenal’s attacking threats. The Gunners managed to score two goals off corners in the first half, allowing them to pick off Palace on the break in the second half. While a 5-0 win is impressive, Arsenal will need to improve their attacking play against tougher opponents.
Brentford secured a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, with Ivan Toney making his return after a suspension for betting on soccer. Toney’s importance to the team was evident, and his presence gave a boost to Brentford. However, this match, like others involving teams in the relegation zone, had a strange feel to it. The result on the field might not be the deciding factor in relegation battles, as punishments for financial fair play violations could impact the standings. It creates an uncertain environment for teams involved in the relegation fight.
Sheffield United managed to secure a 2-2 draw against West Ham. The Hammers will be disappointed to drop points against the bottom-placed team, especially considering their injury concerns. With several key players out, their upcoming matches against Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Arsenal will be challenging. These dropped points could come back to haunt them in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
Overall, the Premier League’s split-round provided some intriguing matches and results. Liverpool’s ability to grind out wins despite the chaos, Arsenal’s need to improve their attacking play, the uncertain relegation battle, and West Ham’s dropped points were some of the key takeaways from this weekend’s matches. As the league heads into the final stretch, teams will need to find consistency and perform at their best to achieve their goals.
