This week’s EPL action wrapped up with Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Swansea City on Monday night. It was a rare weekend in the Premier League with the top three teams in the table all settling for draws. That’s a bit surprising as the top three teams – at least, Chelsea and Man City – have been head and shoulders above the competition.
This weekend might be considered somewhat of a wasted opportunity for Manchester City and Manchester United, both of whom had winnable games in front of them. Meanwhile, Southampton proved they can hang with the big boys in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and while the result is sour for Chelsea, it doesn’t end up hurting them.
With all of that in mind, here is a look at three things we learned in the Premier League this week.
Chelsea Can Be Slowed Down
The Blues had arrived at St. Mary’s as winners of five straight in all competitions but they couldn’t take advantage once Southampton had been reduced to 10 men despite a brilliant effort from Edin Hazard. Hazard looked dominant throughout the match and brought Chelsea level with a goal in first-half added time, but they couldn’t find that second goal, and ended up being slowed down for the draw. Fortunately, for Jose Mourinho’s side, both City and United were held to draws allowing the Blues to maintain their three point lead atop the table.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6CQI8WqLjY
On the season, Chelsea still only has one loss. However, it was another reminder that Chelsea can be slowed down. For the second time this month, they disappointed (including the loss to Newcastle). A couple of wins in those spots would have them up by eight points right now but their shortcomings just show that they aren’t as invincible as we once thought. There is still plenty of time left for the other contenders to make their move and close the gap atop the Premier League table.
Lukas Podolski Is Not Going Anywhere
The rumors of Podolski being headed to Inter have clearly been greatly exaggerated as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger addressed the situation by calling those reports “a joke”. The Gunners are tied with Southampton for the fourth spot at 33 points in the Premier League and while he hasn’t been featured, he is still a very useful piece that they will need to have to lock up a Champions League position for next year.
Alexis Sanchez has been a beast up front and Danny Welbeck supplied the winning goal against West Ham United this past week, but even though it might make sense from a certain perspective to move him, Wenger has made it clear that he doesn’t intend for Podolski to be moved anywhere.
Jermain Defoe Still Likely Headed Back To The Premier League
The January transfer window is right around the corner and with a number of teams looking to add up front, it seems like only a matter of time before Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe is brought back to the Premier League. Toronto has talked about keeping Defoe for another year but that could be a smokescreen in order to try and keep his value up for when they do decide to move him.
QPR has been talked about most in rumors of where the former Tottenham man could be headed. QPR also might have to fill a void up front as striker Charlie Austin’s name has been blowing in the transfer winds quite frequently. If he does end up on his way out of town, it will create even more of an urgency for the Rangers to get a guy like Defoe. They are currently 15th in the table with 18 points. That puts them just two above the relegation zone, so they don’t have much room for error.
Manager Harry Redknapp confirmed his team will be looking to add via loan when the window opens, so that could be the most likely destination once the new year arrives.
