Premier League, Week 17: Arsenal, Chelsea play to stalemate

Whoever thought of putting Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville on television together is a genius. Here’s Neville reacting to Carra saying that Liverpool can win the Premier League.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Gibbs, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna, Arteta, Özil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Giroud, Walcott

Goals: None

Kickoff is at 8 p.m. local time, 3 p.m. ET. You can catch the game on Sky Sports 1 in the United Kingdom and NBC Sports Network in the United States. It’s also streaming online on the streaming platforms of those two networks.

Arsenal injuries and suspensions

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

There will be some who tell you that Everton’s trip to Swansea City was a brilliant match. It wasn’t. It did, however, contain a brilliant half, full of incredible chances, brilliant goals, and jam-packed with drama; a late free kick from Ross Barkley securing a 2-1 win for the Toffees.

The less said about the first half the better (the only incident of note was a penalty shout after an awkward Ashley Williams challenge sent Barkley tumbling), so we’ll mosey past the dull bits and get straight to the good part. After the break, Everton decided that frustratingly competent football wasn’t getting anyone anywhere, and, inspired by the relentless running of right back Seamus Coleman, started putting serious pressure on their hosts.

After news emerged that Vincent Tan gave Malky Mackay a resign or get canned ultimatum, a lot of Cardiff fans showed up to the Liverpool game with signs like the one pictured above. But guys, chill out, because Tan and Mackay are actually talking to each other! And while they’re chatting it out, can you be super positive and stuff?

That’ll go over really well.

Top, top refereeing here. Chris Foy’s a pro. Stone-faced.

Tottenham Hotspur and interim manager Tim Sherwood grabbed a much-needed Premier League victory over Southampton with a bizarre, entertaining 3-2 win. Both sides were seriously depleted, with Spurs fielding a very odd midfield and the Saints running with a makeshift back line, which meant any hint of caution or balance was thrown out the window very early on.

Tottenham fielded a 4-4-2 which included exactly zero defensive midfielders, and Southampton were able to exploit the resultant space early on. Dejan Lovren won the ball in his own half, possession was cycled to Danny Fox on the left, and his run into the centre seemed to utterly discombobulate the visitors. Adam Lallana managed to pull away from the confused Vlad Chiriches, giving him space to receive the pass, turn and shoot past Hugo Lloris from 20 yards.

In contrast, Swansea have been highly inconsistent this season, and are currently down in tenth place. They’ve only lost twice in their last nine matches, though they’ve picked up too many draws to push on up the table. Making things harder is their not inconsiderable injury list.

Out: Gary Monk (knee), Álvaro Vázquez (groin), Nathan Dyer (ankle), Leon Britton (ankle), Àngel Rangel (suspended). In doubt: Chico Flores (knee).

Southampton injuries and suspensions

Match Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. local, 8:30 a.m. ET

Jake Livermore’s 28th minute goal looked like it would be enough to carry Hull City to three points, but their hard work was undone late. Zoltán Gera’s through ball found Matej Vydra in space in the middle of the Hull box and the striker did not waste his chance, notching an 86th-minute tally to equalize and earn a point for the Baggies.

In the 70th minute, Vincent Kompany submitted his entry into the discussion for funniest own goals ever. He looked to have a routine clearance on a low ball into the near post to Hart’s left, but inexplicably kicked the ball in such a way that it popped up into the air and flew backwards, sailing over Hart’s head and into the back of the net.

Ultimately, the game was tied up for just eight minutes and there was little drama. Despite some nice play from Fulham and the awful own goal from Kompany, the result never looked much in doubt for City.

No Robin van Persie? No Marouane Fellaini? No Michael Carrick? No problem. Manchester United ran riot over West Ham at Old Trafford, with goals from Danny Welbeck, Adnan Januzaj and Ashley Young ensuring that a late consolation from Carlton Cole was rendered meaningless.

The hosts were on the attack from the beginning, and would have taken the lead in the second minute if not for a heroic stop by Adrian. Januzaj’s cross following a short corner hit a West Ham defender and fell perfectly for Tom Cleverley, who met the loose ball with a shot that looked destined for goal until Adrian swatted it away.

How do you hit a routine clearance backwards, looping over your goalkeeper’s head?

The home fans thought Liverpool had opened the scoring almost immediately when Suarez got on the end of Joe Allen’s cutback, but the Uruguayan could only find the side-netting after escaping the attentions of a lacklustre Cardiff defence.

In the end, the visiting defence could only hold out so long. The team and player to get the first goal were little surprise as Suarez celebrated his new contract by opening the scoring, crashing home a crisp volley from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, with Marshall left with no chance.

Fulham injuries and suspensions

Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET

Then again, the Hammers are only one place above the relegation zone heading into the round, and have only won three of their opening 16 league matches this season. Even despite the Red Devils’ struggles, it’s hard to see Sam Allardyce’s side winning at Old Trafford for the first time since 2007.

Manchester United injuries and suspensions

Despite evidently having lost the faith of Tan, Mackay still certainly has the support of the fans. Cardiff are currently up in 15th place in their debut Premier League season, and could cause Liverpool some problems at Anfield. However, with the hosts having picked up five wins on the trot in front of their own fans, they still head in as comfortable favourites.

Liverpool injuries and suspensions

Anfield; Saturday, 12:45 GMT/7:45 AM ET

Selhurst Park; Saturday, 15:00 GMT/10:00 AM ET