Premier League, Week 22: Everton fail to rise to fourth

West Brom: Foster, Ridgewell, Lugano, Olsson, Reid, Brunt, Yacob, Morrison, Gera (Mulumbu 60’), Vydra (Anichebe 45’), Anelka (Berahino 77’)

Goals: Lugano (75’)

In contrast, West Brom have been underwhelming so far this season. They’re currently down in 14th place, and are only three points above the relegation zone. Their squad looks way too good to go down, though the Baggies have underwhelmed so far -- not least considering they were pushing for Europe for much of last season.

West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions

Manchester United have defenders in name only

It’s impossible to describe just how atrocious the Red Devils defended at Stamford Bridge so just look at what they were doing while Eto’o made it 2-0 instead.

Goals: Eto’o (17’, 45”, 48’)

Manchester United: De Gea, Evra (Smalling 51’), Evans, Vidic (red 90’), Rafael, Jones, Carrick, Young (Hernandez 56’), Januzaj, Valencia, Welbeck

It had been something like four decades since Tottenham Hotspur last won five consecutive away games in the league, but four straight plus a visit to scuffling Swansea City meant that that target was within reach for Tim Sherwood and company today. They seized their opportunity, dispatching the Swans through a brace from Emmanuel Adebayor and an embarrassing own goal by Chico Flores, running out 3-1 winners and drawing closer to that all-important top four spot.

The opening goal came very much against the run of play. Swansea had the better of the chances in the first half, with Wilfried Bony looking particularly dangerous against the combination of Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches. Bony hit the post with a well-struck long range effort, was denied a penalty after a shove in the back, and then wasted a free header from Angel Rangel’s cross after escaping the attentions of the Spurs defence. But the Swnas couldn’t score, and the visitors landed a sucker punch 35 minutes in.

After a bit of an uneven start to the season, the Blues have settled in to Mourinho’s preferred style of play and steadily established themselves as a title contender this season. Chelsea are unbeaten in the their last six games -- five wins, one draw -- and have only conceded two goals in that stretch. Combine that good form with the fact that Mourinho has never lost at Stamford Bridge against United and you shouldn’t blame Blues supporters if they’re feeling good.

One more fun fact, a win for Chelsea would be Mourinho’s 100th win in the Premier League.

Swansea City injuries and suspensions

Tottenham Hotspur injuries and suspensions

The Premier League relegation race continues to be insane, and was the main focus of Saturday’s main block of games. Watch Hull or Norwich somehow end up in 20th before the end of February.

by Callum Hamilton

It was a pretty exciting day of Premier League football, with considerable implications at the bottom of the league as Norwich City gained a win while West Ham United suffered a home defeat. Sunderland also showed their fighting spirit in coming from behind to draw with Southampton, while Arsenal won yet again to leave Fulham still deep in trouble.

Unfortunately for the visiting fans, their joy didn’t last long, with Manchester City going ahead again just four minutes later. Dzeko set up the goal with a run onto a ball over the top, and he did well to hold off two defenders before squaring to Navas. The Spanish winger steadied himself and hit an impressive blast into the back of the net from the edge of the area, making it 2-1 on the afternoon.

Frazier Campbell got one back for Cardiff off a corner in stoppage time, but it was way too little, too late for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

It took longer than they might have liked, but Arsenal eventually ran out comfortable winners against relegation-threatened Fulham. A second-half brace from Santi Cazorla was enough for the Gunners to claim a 2-0 victory, securing their spot at the head of the table for yet another week.

The first goal should have come within the opening five minutes. Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere demolished the Cottagers’ defense with a snappy one-two, putting the former in on goal against Maarten Stekelenburg, but although Arsenal’s record signing beat the goalkeeper with his shot, it was under-hit, allowing Brede Hangeland to clear off the line.