Virgil van Dijk’s dramatic late winner against West Ham edged Liverpool closer to the Premier League title, while Manchester City relied on a brilliant Kevin De Bruyne performance to keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
In a weekend of mixed results, Brentford held a much-changed Arsenal to a 1-1 draw, handing Liverpool a crucial advantage at the top, but Arne Slot’s side were far from convincing in their 2-1 win over the struggling Hammers.
Meanwhile, City came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 5-2 at the Etihad, moving into the top five. Nottingham Forest’s Champions League hopes took a hit with a 1-0 home loss to Everton, while Chelsea were held 2-2 by Ipswich, increasing the pressure on manager Enzo Maresca.
News Central looks at three of the weekend’s most important talking points.
De Bruyne’s Masterclass Keeps City on Track in the Premier League
Manchester City faced a difficult task on Saturday when they found themselves 2-0 down to Crystal Palace after just 20 minutes. However, Kevin De Bruyne stepped up spectacularly, showcasing exactly what City will miss when he leaves at the end of the season.
De Bruyne’s free-kick sparked a comeback before he assisted Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic to complete the turnaround on either side of half-time. Despite the early setback, City managed to secure a vital 5-2 win, keeping them in the hunt for a top-five finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
“I’m a competitive animal,” De Bruyne remarked. “I don’t like to lose, so for me, nothing changes.” His leadership on the pitch remains crucial for Pep Guardiola’s side, even as they prepare for his departure.
Liverpool’s Lethargy Yet Another Step Closer to the Title
Liverpool are on the brink of securing their first Premier League title in years after extending their lead to 13 points with just 18 points left to play. However, Arne Slot’s men were far from their best in their 2-1 win over West Ham.
A quick-fire start saw Luis Diaz put Liverpool ahead early, but they struggled in the second half, needing goalkeeper Alisson Becker to make a series of crucial saves. An Andy Robertson own goal gave West Ham hope, but Van Dijk’s late header in the 89th minute sealed the win.
With the title within reach, Liverpool’s recent form has been worrying, with only two wins in their last five matches—both by the narrowest of margins. Still, with Mohamed Salah extending his contract, Van Dijk’s comments suggest he may follow suit in securing his future at Anfield.
Chelsea’s Champions League Hopes Fade in Ipswich Draw
Chelsea’s bid for a top-four finish has hit another stumbling block, with a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Ipswich. From the cusp of going top of the league in December, the Blues have slumped to sixth, with only five wins in their last 16 league matches.
Against Ipswich, Chelsea’s defensive fragility allowed the visitors to take a 2-0 lead, although an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe and a stunning strike from Jadon Sancho brought them level. Despite dominating possession (74%) and creating 34 shots, Chelsea’s lack of clinical finishing cost them once again.
With four of their remaining six games against teams in the top eight, Chelsea now face an uphill battle to secure Champions League qualification for a third consecutive season.
