WITH the marquee match-up between Arsenal and Liverpool due to be played early Monday morning, all eyes were on the bottom half of the table. The relegation battle is becoming increasingly tight, with up to six teams battling for survival.
FocusM looks at the talking points of the games played last night (Feb 3).
Everton 2 v Tottenham Hotspurs 2
Old boy Richarlison returned to Goodison Park to haunt his former employers with two superbly struck goals. To the Brazilian’s eternal credit, he refrained from celebrating and spared the Everton faithful the sight of watching him do his celebratory ‘chicken’ dance. A draw did neither team any favours as it sent the home team into the bottom three and dents the Spurs’ quest for a place in the top four.
Newcastle 4 v Luton Town 4
A mad, frenetic game that yielded eight goals was high on octane, less so on finesse. An early goal from Sean Longstaff gave the home support the false impression that it was going to be a walk in the park against relegation-threatened Luton.
Far from being overawed, the Hatters matched the Magpies in terms of endeavour and commitment, even leading 4-2 at one stage. Goals from Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes ensured a share of the spoils.
Sheffield United 0 v Aston Villa 5
Sheffield United propped up the table and were four-nil down inside half an hour against a rampant Villa side. The home support seemed to be resigned to their fate as large swathes made for the exits at halftime, signalling that they no longer think a great escape was possible for Chris Wilder’s men.
The Blades were simply woeful as Villa ran through them almost at will. Far too often, Sheffield United looked like a team out of place in the elite division and their return to the Championship looks imminent.
Brighton & Hove Albion 4 v Crystal Palace 1
This is the game that both sets of supporters most look forward to. Dubbed the ‘M63 derby’, the occasion has seen many a blood-and-thunder affair over the years but it was a meek surrender by The Eagles this time. The wizened figure of Roy Hodgson seems to have aged even further in the last few months as Palace struggled for wins.
The home side raced to a 3-0 lead by halftime, and the scoreline did not flatter them in the least bit as a flat Palace offered little resistance, save for a consolation from Jean Philippe-Mateta.
Burnley 2 v Fulham 2
Fulham raced into a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes and it looked to be a job done against a struggling Burnley side mired in the bottom three. But two late goals from David Datro Fofana salvaged a point for the home side and Vincent Kompany will want more of the same fighting spirit for the remaining games in a belated bid to avoid the drop.
The Cottagers will rue dropping the points that seemed secure and there for the taking. – Feb 4, 2024
