Brentford stung Chelsea as the Bees ended an 83-year wait for victory over their west London neighbors.
Liverpool and Manchester City won to stay on course for a multiple-title collision next weekend, and Tottenham beat Newcastle to enter the top four.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the main talking points from the latest round of premier league fixtures.
buzzing bees
Not in their wildest dreams would Brentford fans believe Thomas Frank’s side would take a big step to safety by beating Chelsea 4-1. The Stamford Bridge romp was Brentford’s first victory over their neighbors since 1939 and was orchestrated by Christian Erikson. The signing of the former Tottenham playmaker, who collapsed while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020, is quickly turning into a masterstroke. He capped another influential performance with his first goal in the Premier League since April 2019.
Title Chills
Liverpool and Manchester City set up next Sunday’s title showdown perfectly with respective victories over struggling pair Watford and Burnley. Jurgen Klopp secured ten consecutive Premier League wins over Roy Hodgson’s Hornets as Diogo Jota again showed his heading ability and Fabinho converted a late penalty. City completed a routine 2-0 win at Turf Moor and headed into the clash at the Etihad Stadium one point clear of Liverpool with eight games to play.
four-medium spurs
Tottenham broke into the top four with a 5-1 win over Newcastle and is finding form at the right time to secure a Champions League spot. Harry Kane has emerged as a playmaker with two assists, Son Heung-min is in fine goalscoring form, and Spurs have won five of their last six league games. It promises to be a London race to the finish line, with Arsenal and West Ham also in good form and Manchester United fading fast.
Super Holy
Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse made the 13th chance with another set-piece strike against Leeds. Ward-Prowse’s equalizer was his 13th Premier League goal scored from a direct free kick, putting him ahead of Gianfranco Zola and Thierry Henry in the top-tier pecking order. Only David Beckham, with 18, has more free-kick goals, and TV pundit Alan Shearer expects Ward Prowse to eclipse the former England captain, saying: “He scored four last season, three this At 27, it’s only a matter of time.
Crispy caramel
Everton’s relegation fears deepened with a 2-1 loss at West Ham, and Wednesday’s trip to Burnley is now one of their biggest games of recent times. The crunch contest comes with the Toffees four points above the Clarets, having played 28 games. Everton is just one place above the drop zone after losing five of their last six league games. Boss Frank Lampard knows another defeat at Turf Moor could spell disaster for a side with the worst away record.
Premier League talking points: Top two get it right, and Eriksen inspires
Brentford boss Thomas Frank hailed Christian Eriksen’s impact on returning to the Premier League after the Dane scored in a remarkable 4-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday.
The European champions had gone in front early in the second half at Stamford Bridge through Antonio Rudiger’s sensational long-range strike. Still, they collapsed to lose for the first time since UK government sanctions hit owner Roman Abramovich.
Vitaly Janelt leveled just a minute later to spark a three-goal spree in 10 minutes for the visitors that set up the first win over the Blues since 1939.
Eriksen has been in fine form since returning to competitive football after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field during Euro 2020.
The former Tottenham midfielder scored twice as many games during his international comeback for Denmark. It continued his scoring streak by lifting the ball over Edouard Mendy to complete the turnaround.
Brentford has now won all three Premier League games, which Eriksen has started after failing to win any of their previous eight.
“Every team has 11 players, but sometimes you need key players to lift the rest by playing well and their personality, and Christian does that,” said Frank. “He is an outstanding player, and I’m pleased he plays for us.”
Janet made it 3-1 with a deft dink over Mendy on the hour mark.
Third-placed Chelsea remains on course to finish in the top four but will need a significant improvement for the visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
