As the season reached the final four weeks, it is surprising that nothing is yet settled at the top and bottom but this weekend has seen some real shocks.
Saturday's early kick-off saw Tottenham increase their chances of a Europa League place with a 3-1 win over Fulham who missed the chance to move out of the bottom three. Paulinho tapped in for the opener for the hosts after 35 minutes but Fulham were level two minutes later when Sidwell struck.
Kane continued his scoring spree with Tottenham's second goal and the win was complete just after the hour mark when Kaboul made it 3-1 and Fulham were unable to respond and sit two points from safety.
Aston Villa hosted Southampton knowing a win would surely see them safe from the drop but a 0-0 draw means they sit only five points away from the bottom three but with a game in hand while Southampton remain in eighth.
Cardiff needed a win to boost their survival hopes as they hosted Stoke and they went in front just before the interval as Whittingham converted a penalty but barely six minutes into the second half, Stoke were level with a penalty of their own after Arnautovic stuck. The sides remained level until the end meaning Cardiff are still two points from safety while Stoke have given themselves a good hope of a top ten finish.
Swansea's poor form has seen them edge towards the bottom three and a trip to ninth place Newcastle seemed to be just what they needed as they came away with a 2-1 win despite going behind to a rare goal from Shola Ameobi in the 23rd minute. Swansea were level at the break when the in-form Bony struck in the 45th minute and his scoring spree continued with the vital winning goal in the 90th minute.
Crystal Palace guaranteed they will remain in the Premier League after a 1-0 win away to West Ham who are close to safety but could still be caught by the bottom sides. The vital goal came just before the hour mark when Jedinak converted a penalty to push his side to 43 points and continue a fine run that sees them only one point away from the top half.
After blowing a 2-1 lead away to Manchester City midweek, Sunderland faced another of the title challengers as they travelled to Chelsea and when Eto'o put the hosts in front after 12 minutes, many could be forgiven for thinking Sunderland were in trouble. However, their fighting spirit could see them stay up as they levelled six minutes later through Wickham with his third goal in two games.
The sides were level with ten minutes to go and Sunderland were awarded a penalty that could prove pivotal both at the top and the bottom as Liverpool loanee Borini converted well and Sunderland completed a stunning win and week with 4pts from trips to two of the league's top three and are now only two points from safety.
Super Sunday saw a trio of games beginning with Liverpool's midday game at Norwich and the league leaders made a brilliant start as Sterling gave them a fourth minute lead, Suarez doubled the lead in the 11th minute with his 30th league goal of the season and the lead held firm until the 54th minute when Hooper took advantage of an empty net to tap home.
Sterling claimed his second and Liverpool's third with a deflected effort that left Ruddy helpless but again Norwich responded and Snodgrass made it 3-2 with 13 minutes to go but Liverpool held on to go five points clear at the top while Norwich are only two points from the bottom three and with a nightmare of a run in ahead of them.
Arsenal improved their chances of a fourth place finish with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Hull with Ramsey putting them in front on the half hour with Podolski making it two just before half-time. In what is a dress rehersal for the next month's FA Cup final, Hiull will hope to far better as they went further behind in the 54th minute when Podolski claimed his second to ensure his side went four points clear of fifth placed Everton.
Knowing they were four behind Arsenal, Everton knew a win against former manager David Moyes and his Manchester United side was a must and they went in front just before the half-hour when Baines converted from the penalty spot, Mirallas finished cleverly in the 43rd minute to put the hosts two goal in front and that was how it remained until the end.
Everton now sit a point behind Arsenal and with a six point gap back to sixth placed Tottenham while Manchester United as a result now cannot qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 18 years and are managerless with the sacking on David Moyes earlier today.
Manchester City hosted West Brom in the Monday Night Football game that saw the hosts take an early lead with Zabaleta scoring after three minutes with the lead doubled seven minutes later by Aguero and thought of a high-scoring win entered the mind. However, West Brom pulled on back in the 16th minute through Dorrans but were unable to equalise and Demichelis made it three Argentinians on the score-sheet with a strike in the 36th minute that proved enough to secure the win for title challengers meaning the title cannot be won this coming weekend.
Saturday's early kick-off saw Tottenham increase their chances of a Europa League place with a 3-1 win over Fulham who missed the chance to move out of the bottom three. Paulinho tapped in for the opener for the hosts after 35 minutes but Fulham were level two minutes later when Sidwell struck.Kane continued his scoring spree with Tottenham's second goal and the win was complete just after the hour mark when Kaboul made it 3-1 and Fulham were unable to respond and sit two points from safety.
Aston Villa hosted Southampton knowing a win would surely see them safe from the drop but a 0-0 draw means they sit only five points away from the bottom three but with a game in hand while Southampton remain in eighth.
Cardiff needed a win to boost their survival hopes as they hosted Stoke and they went in front just before the interval as Whittingham converted a penalty but barely six minutes into the second half, Stoke were level with a penalty of their own after Arnautovic stuck. The sides remained level until the end meaning Cardiff are still two points from safety while Stoke have given themselves a good hope of a top ten finish.Swansea's poor form has seen them edge towards the bottom three and a trip to ninth place Newcastle seemed to be just what they needed as they came away with a 2-1 win despite going behind to a rare goal from Shola Ameobi in the 23rd minute. Swansea were level at the break when the in-form Bony struck in the 45th minute and his scoring spree continued with the vital winning goal in the 90th minute.
Crystal Palace guaranteed they will remain in the Premier League after a 1-0 win away to West Ham who are close to safety but could still be caught by the bottom sides. The vital goal came just before the hour mark when Jedinak converted a penalty to push his side to 43 points and continue a fine run that sees them only one point away from the top half.
After blowing a 2-1 lead away to Manchester City midweek, Sunderland faced another of the title challengers as they travelled to Chelsea and when Eto'o put the hosts in front after 12 minutes, many could be forgiven for thinking Sunderland were in trouble. However, their fighting spirit could see them stay up as they levelled six minutes later through Wickham with his third goal in two games.The sides were level with ten minutes to go and Sunderland were awarded a penalty that could prove pivotal both at the top and the bottom as Liverpool loanee Borini converted well and Sunderland completed a stunning win and week with 4pts from trips to two of the league's top three and are now only two points from safety.
Super Sunday saw a trio of games beginning with Liverpool's midday game at Norwich and the league leaders made a brilliant start as Sterling gave them a fourth minute lead, Suarez doubled the lead in the 11th minute with his 30th league goal of the season and the lead held firm until the 54th minute when Hooper took advantage of an empty net to tap home.Sterling claimed his second and Liverpool's third with a deflected effort that left Ruddy helpless but again Norwich responded and Snodgrass made it 3-2 with 13 minutes to go but Liverpool held on to go five points clear at the top while Norwich are only two points from the bottom three and with a nightmare of a run in ahead of them.
Arsenal improved their chances of a fourth place finish with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Hull with Ramsey putting them in front on the half hour with Podolski making it two just before half-time. In what is a dress rehersal for the next month's FA Cup final, Hiull will hope to far better as they went further behind in the 54th minute when Podolski claimed his second to ensure his side went four points clear of fifth placed Everton.Knowing they were four behind Arsenal, Everton knew a win against former manager David Moyes and his Manchester United side was a must and they went in front just before the half-hour when Baines converted from the penalty spot, Mirallas finished cleverly in the 43rd minute to put the hosts two goal in front and that was how it remained until the end.
Everton now sit a point behind Arsenal and with a six point gap back to sixth placed Tottenham while Manchester United as a result now cannot qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 18 years and are managerless with the sacking on David Moyes earlier today.
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