EPL Review: The Reds Got Thumped Yet Again, Continuing Louis van Gaal Woes.

Odion Ighalo is at his goal-scoring best yet again,his 13th goal in the EPL this season with table toppers Leicester, suffering their third league defeat of the season at Anfield.

Spurs boosted their top four finish with a brace from Harry Kane and Man City thumped Sunderland.

Could this be the last nail on the proverbial coffin for the Reds manager?

READ ALSO: READ Louis Van Gaal’s Reaction To Man Utd’s Defeat At Stoke City

Stoke 2-0 Manchester United

Man United got Stoked! Third straight loss in the EPL – against supposedly lesser teams, their fourth straight defeat in a row in all competitions, with no win in seven matches and just two points out of a possible 15.

A grim and resigned looking Van Gaal obviously knows that the writing is clearly on the wall for the end of his tenure.

The first half an even affair with the Potters showing better composure and cohesion both in front of goal and general team play.

The first blood was drawn with a cool Bojan Krkic sidefoot finish in the 19^th minute from a cross-field square pass by Glen Johnson after a shocking defensive header by Memphis Depay. Stoke doubled the advantage seven minutes later through a deflected free kick that fell nicely to Arnautovic on  the outside of the box before unleashing a sumptuous strike that went in off the post.

Memphis was replaced by captain Rooney in the second half, but gave the referee more problem than the Stoke defence and failed to inspire a turnaround. For all United superior possession in the second half, the Potters had and made the better use of the opportunities that came their way, forcing De Gea to a couple of fine saves.

It is highly likely that the plug will be pulled on the Reds manager’s era, for if they can not beat the likes of Bournemouth and Norwich, what chance have they got against a rejuvenated Chelsea under Gus Hiddink.

United have now slipped down to sixth in the Premier League as Stoke moved up to eight, three points behind the Old Trafford outfit.

Manchester City 4-0 Sunderland

Wounded Man City side came out with all guns blazing against the demoralised and abject Sunderland side. Reminiscent of the way they quickly succumbed to a fragile Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge, they were already spanked by the time the latecomers were taking their seats at the Etihad Stadium.

Sunderland represented the ideal counterpart for a City side who had lost three of their last five Premier league games, making this their 10^th win in 11 home games.

Kevin de Bruyne was the architect of this mauling, scoring one and making two goals. Sunderland were three goals behind before the 23^rd minute, the first was a centred ball to Sterling in the penalty area, rising above Billy Jones to head in. Yaya Toure put his name on the scoreboard for the second time in as many matches with a drilling 20-yard strike.

The third was another assist by De Bruyne, a right-wing cross from a free kick with Wilfred Bony heading home his seventh of the season. He missed the chance of an eight after skiing a second-half penalty after David Silva was fouled by Coates.

Kevin de Bruye added the fourth himself after his redirected pass was slotted home. Fabio Borini gave Sunderland their consolation goal.

Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace

Bournemouth’s attempt at a fourth consecutive wins were denied by Crystal Palace after being held to a draw at the Vitality Stadium. The two form teams cancelled each other out as neither could find a breakthrough.

Both sides were missing key players who might have made the difference. There were chances by both teams with no end results.

The draw took Bournemouth to 20 Premier League points before the half-way point in the season with Palace moving to fifth.

Chelsea 2-2 Watford

Diego Costa’s double was not enough to secure all three points at Stamford Bridge against a revitalised Watford side. The last time Costa scored two goals in a match was against Swansea in January, the first was to put Chelsea ahead while the second was to ensure they share the spoils after Ighalo put Watford ahead. Typically, after all his heroics, he managed to get himself booked in the 88^th minute, banning him for the trip to the Old Trafford.

However, Costa broke the deadlock with a close range hook of the ball in the 33^rd minute when John Terry headed Willian’s corner across the six yard box. That went some way in appeasing the Chelsea fans who booed and jeered him in their last match.

Watford equaliser came in the 42^nd minute from the spot when Matic handled Ben Watson’s corner and Troy Deeney obliging to tuck the ball away. Odion Ighalo put Watford in the lead with his 13^th goal of the season when his shot took a deflection off Gary Cahill and looped over Courtois.

Costa restored parity in the 65^th minute with a confident finish from Willian’s delightful pass. Oscar had the opportunity to give his team all the three points from the spot, after Behrami upended the substitute, Hazard in the penalty area. The Brazillian slipped on his balancing foot, miscued  and the ball looped over the bar.

Liverpool 1-0 Leicester

Leicester’s 10 game unbeaten run was ended by Christian Benteke at Anfield. The Belgian international who replaced the injured Divock Origi after 38 minutes put an end to Leicester’s recent resurgence.

Roberto Firmino assisted with a well judged cut-back to Benteke who finished with aplomb.

The Foxes rallied in the second-half but the Reds held on to hand Leicester their first defeat in 11 league matches.

READ ALSO: FIVE Nigerians Who Turn Around Their Woes To Become Mega Stars In 2015

Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham

Villa put in their best performance so far under Remi Garde – who remains without a win since replacing Tim Sherwood, but only have a point to show for it. Villa dominated proceedings in the opening exchanges but the Hammers had the better of the chances with Aaron Cresswell Breaking the deadlock with a superb finish.

Jordan Ayew’s impressive form in front of goal continues with the equaliser from the spot kick to earn Villa the draw after Ogbonna brought down Rudy Gestede inside the area, although draws are doing little to improve their plight.

West Ham have drawn their last five matches after an impressive start to the campaign that featured wins against Arsenal, and Manchester City.

Tottenham 3-0 Norwich

Tottenham boosted their hope of a top four finish with a brace from Harry Kane.

Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 26 minutes when he was fouled by Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd’s sliding challenge before doubling up with a low drive from a tight angle just three minutes before the break.

The margin of victory would have been greater had it not been for the efforts of Rudd, although Norwich had a brief rally which was quickly extinguished when Tom Carroll added the third.

This emphatic victory at White Hart Lane means Pochettino’s side sit two points clear of Crystal palace in fourth place.

Newcastle 0-1 Everton

A last gasp goal from Tom Cleverly ensured Everton took all the three points available. Everton’s eventual reward  for their dominating performance justified, albeit from an unlikely source and unexpected time of play as Cleverly’s looping header in the 93^rd minute snatched the points.

An attempt to punch the ball clear from a stoppage-time 

 

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