EPL Gameweek 29, Saturday football: As it happened...
Saturday's action completed with Leicester taking all three points from Watford, and extending the lead at the top of the table with five points.
Trending Photos
FULL-TIME Watford 0-1 Leicester. Riyad Mahrez with the only goal of the game as the Foxes go 5 points clear #WATLEI pic.twitter.com/ssdb6FKbsN
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
Here's the moment Mahrez put @LCFC 5 points clear at the top of the #BPL with his 15th goal of the season #WATLEI pic.twitter.com/1cmTB7XNga — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
Watford 0 - 1 (Mahrez 56') Leicester: Riyiad Mahrez finally breaks the deadlock at Vicarage Road.
Half-time update: Watford 0 - 0 Leicester
No goals yet but chances for both sides as Watford tussle with Leicester City. Who’ll break the deadlock? (32 mins) pic.twitter.com/Xn6fucETsV — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
Watford 0 - 0 Leicester: At half-hour mark, the contest is still without a goal. But somehow, Watford seemed to have taken the initiative from the leaders.
Watford's Nordin Amrabat has been booked, though.
Watford 0 - 0 Leicester: Intense start to the match with the Foxes going for an early goal. But, watford also have had a chance too. But, it's still goalless at Vicarage Road after 15 minutes.
Ref Jonathan Moss has hell of running to do.
And that brings us to the today's final match, between leaders Leicester and dangerous Watford.
Here are the line-ups:
City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan (c), Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Kanté, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy. #WatLei — Leicester City (@LCFC) March 5, 2016
TEAM NEWS: Three changes for #watfordfc against @LCFC. Ake, Suarez & Amrabat come in for Holebas, Behrami & Abdi. pic.twitter.com/Lf0Gpvxs0P — Watford FC (@WatfordFC) March 5, 2016
It's full time. As expected Manchester City thrashed Aston Villa by four goals to nil, with Sergio Aguero scoring a brace and missing from the spot. But defending champions Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge by Stoke City.
In a thrilling encounter at Goodison Park, West Ham United fought back from a 2-goal down to win the match 3-2, with Everton's Lukaku scoring a double but missing from the spot.
In other matches, Bournemouth beat Newcastle United 3-1 away, Swansea got the better of Norwich 1-0, while Southampton scored the injury time equaliser to share points with Sunderland.
Southampton (Van Dijk 90+4') 1 - 1 (Defoe 85') Sunderland: Then, out of nowhere, the Saints score the equaliser to deny the Black Cats all three points. Virgil Van Dijk scored in the 90+4 minute.
Everton (Lukaku 13', 56') 2 - 3 (Antonio 78', Sakho 81', Payet 90+1') West Ham United: What a drama at Goodison Park. Dimitri Payet scored in the injury time.
Southampton 0 - 1 (Defoe 85') Sunderland: Jerome Defoe scored, possibly, the winner at St. Mary's, just after Fonte's red-card.
Newcastle (Perez 80') 1 - 2 (Taylor (og) 28', King 70') Bournemouth: Ayoze Perez has pulled one back, but it may not be enough for the hosts.
Everton (Lukaku 13', 56') 2 - 2 (Antonio 78', Sakho 81') West Ham United: What a fight-back from the Hammers. They have scored two goals in a a space of under three minutes.
Newcastle 0 - 2 (Taylor (og) 28', King 70') Bournemouth: Joshua King doubled the lead for visitors at St. James Park.
Manchester City (Toure 48', Aguero 49', 60') 3 - 0 Aston Villa: Sergio Aguero missed from the spot, denied by woodwork (73'). He could have done better and complete a hat-trick.
GOAL Man City 4-0 Aston Villa (66 mins). Raheem Sterling joins the party for City, slotting in Navas's cross at the back post #MCIAVL — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
Swansea (Sigurdsson 61') 1 - 0 Norwich: Gylfi Sigurdsson scores from a a Leroy Fer pass to give the home side lead.
Manchester City (Toure 48', Aguero 49', 60') 3 - 0 Aston Villa: Another one for Aguero.
Everton (Lukaku 13', 56') 2 - 0 West Ham United: Romelu Lukaku doubles the lead for Everton.
Manchester City (Toure 48', Aguero 49') 2 - 0 Aston Villa: Two goals in two minutes for City, as Aguero added another.
Manchester City (Toure 48') 1 - 0 Aston Villa: Manchester City got the breakthrough thanks to a Yaya Toure strike off a Sergio Aguero assist.
Defending champions Chelsea found an unlikely scorer in Bertrand Traore to give the all-important lead against a disciplined Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.
In other matches, Everton led West Ham by a Romelu Lukaku strike early in the first half, but Kevin Mirallas was sent off in the 35th minute for his second booking.
At St. James Park, Bournemouth took the lead thanks to an own goal which was previously attributed to Daryl Janmaat. But the 28th minute own goal was later given to Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.
Strangely, Manchester City are still without a goal against an spirited Aston Villa side. The scorelines in Southampton and Swansea are also blank after first half.
Half-time update
Chelsea 1 - 0 Stoke City
Everton 1 - 0 West Ham United
Manchester City 0 - 0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 0 - 1 Bournemouth
Southampton 0 - 0 Sunderland
Swansea 0 - 0 Norwich
PHOTO Bertrand Traore celebrates his excellent goal - Chelsea lead 1-0 at the break #CHESTK pic.twitter.com/Oxq8TmqP3W — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
Newcastle United 0 - 1 (Janmaat (OG) 29') Bournemouth: Daryl Janmaat Steven Taylor own goal gave Bournemouth the lead at St. James Park.
Everton (Lukaku 13') 1 - 0 West Ham United: Everton have taken a deserving lead against Hammers with Romelu Lukaku goal at Goodison Park.
Here are the line-ups for the second lot of matches:
Chelsea vs Stoke City
Team to face Stoke City: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic
(c), Baba; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Traore. #CFC — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 5, 2016
TEAM NEWS | Here is your @stokecity Starting XI for this afternoon's game against @ChelseaFC #SCFC #CFC pic.twitter.com/FgLL53Fj5A — Stoke City FC (@stokecity) March 5, 2016
Everton vs West Ham United
Today's team! #EFCvWHU pic.twitter.com/6Gc2SSdd2N — Everton (@Everton) March 5, 2016
TEAMS: Here's your #WHUFC starting XI for today's game at @Everton #EVEWHU #COYI pic.twitter.com/zZz5Ab1hN5 — West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) March 5, 2016
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
TEAM NEWS: Three changes and two up top for #mcfc today! Here's the starting XI. #cityvvilla #CMONCITY pic.twitter.com/rRNOBX6BHt — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) March 5, 2016
Here's the Villa line-up to face @MCFC this afternoon. #AVFC #MCFC #MCIAVL pic.twitter.com/yUv6MoonH2 — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) March 5, 2016
Newcastle United vs Bournemouth
TEAM NEWS: Two changes for #NUFC as @ManuRiv and @AyozePG replace @YGouffran and Aleksandar Mitrovic. #NUFC #afcb pic.twitter.com/gyI8bZXMHu — Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 5, 2016
TEAM NEWS: Eddie Howe makes one change to his #afcb side, as Gosling replaces @HarryArter2: https://t.co/49dnuV2bFj pic.twitter.com/xPbJtHaSIq — AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) March 5, 2016
Southampton vs Sunderland
We run you through the team news from St Mary's, where #SaintsFC have made five changes for the visit of #SAFC – https://t.co/d1JhRPiOk5 — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 5, 2016
Borini starts - review the team news in full here - https://t.co/HUH0ZVQKQT pic.twitter.com/rJRp29FbVz — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 5, 2016
Swansea vs Norwich
#Swans line-up v @NorwichCityFC: Fabianski, Rangel, Fernandez, Williams (C), Taylor, Britton, Cork, Sigurdsson, Routledge, Ayew, Paloschi. — Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) March 5, 2016
TEAM: Ruddy; Pinto, Martin (c), Klose, Brady; O'Neil, Howson; Redmond, Hoolahan, Naismith; Jerome. #ncfc — Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) March 5, 2016
Arsenal led at the half-time, then lost a man, then conceded two, before finding the equaliser.
FULL-TIME Spurs 2-2 Arsenal. The two sides share the spoils after a classic #NorthLondonDerby at White Hart Lane pic.twitter.com/ymNsRuXAzO — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
90+5' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: David Ospina took some time to take his goal-kick, and the final whistle.
90+3' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: Walker had a wild kick, wasted a chance to cross. Goal kick to Arsenal.
Then, from the following play, Wimmer produced a perfectly time tackle to deny Ramsey a clean strike. Corner to Arsenal.
90' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: A call for handball, against Mason inside the Spurs box. Four minutes added.
89' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: Heart in mouth moment for Gabriel, and Arsenal fans. He clearance deflected and went for a corner, just missing the goal.
88' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: Kevin Wimmer handled the ball while falling back. Free-kick to Arsenal, in shooting range.
Then, Lloris saved Sanchez's curler.
86' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: Mathieu Flamini on for Danny Welbeck.
Christian Eriksen almost scored. His drive was lifted over the bar bar Ospina. Busy day for him.
84' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: Mason had a long ranger, but it went for a corner. Then, on the counter, Sanchez took little more time than desired and wasted a good chance to hit, the target.
82' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: Close call for Lloris. He ran out, or probably on the line, while taking a collection.
Final substitution for Spurs. Heung-Min Son on for Moussa Dembele.
80' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 75') Arsenal: It could have been 10 against 10 in London derby, but Michel Oliver let go Eric Dier, after he pulled Giroud.
77' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 2 (Ramsey 39', Sanchez 76') Arsenal: GOAL!!! What a mess Hugo Lloris. The Spurs goal-keeper allowed Gunners to fight back with a easy goal. He could have done more to stop that Alexis Sanchez drive, which was not that strong.
75' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: First substitute for Arsenal. Brought in Olivier Giroud , in for Mohamed Elneny.
73' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: Yellow card to Eric Dier for rough foul inside Spurs half, and conceded a free-kick.
72' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: Harry Kane had another try on the goal, but it missed the target by millimeters. Thus, Spurs have taken a complete control of the match. In the current score-line, they lead the table, ahead of Leicester on goal difference.
67' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: First substitute of the match, from Spurs. Erik Lamela replaced by Ryan Mason.
66' Tottenham (Lamela 59', Kane 61) 2 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: Then, Alexis Sanchez got booked following a tussle with Erik Lamela.
63' Tottenham (Alderweireld 59', Kane 62') 2 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: What a goal from Harry Kane. Classic goal. What a curl from the left, to find the inside of the upright even as a diving Ospina failed the measure the flight of the ball.
60' Tottenham (Alderweireld 59') 1 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: GOAL!!! Toby Alderweireld scored from a corner. 10-man Arsenal in deep trouble.
58' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: Alli almost scored. What could have been a another wonderful goal from Alli was denied by a deflection, for a corner.
From the corner, in a scramble inside the box, Kane's volley was save brilliantly by Ospina. Literally, putting his body in the line.
55' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: RED CARD to Francis Coquelin. No option for the Ref but to show the second yellow after a late dive-in on Harry Kane. Free-kick to Spurs.
52' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: That Ramsey goal apart, Arsenal are growing in to the game. But, still, it's Spurs' game overall.
Harry Kane caught offside of a promising run. On the counter, Alexis Sanchez got himself in a vantage position to increase the lead. But wasted the chance.
49' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: Eriksen had a brilliant ball control in front of the Arsenal goal. he then released on the right for Alli, but the England youngster wasted with a direction less cross.
Moments later, Spurs had their first attempt on the goal, which was blocked by Ospina.
47' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: A relatively quiet start to the second half. Arsenal in control, then, after some 90 seconds of rolling the balla round, Gunners conceded a free-kick to Spurs.
HALF-TIME: Tottenham 0 - 1 Arsenal
HALF-TIME Spurs 0-1 Arsenal. Ramsey turns in Bellerin's cross to give Arsenal the edge in a tight #NorthLondonDerby pic.twitter.com/Eg3ocZMSX2 — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
45' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: Rose tried a long ranger, but it swerve out of target. One minute added.
44' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: The pace of the game has slowed down considerably as the half-time approaches. Harry Kane committed an unlikely foul. Free kick to Arsenal inside their own half.
42' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: From the re-start, Arsenal found another chance to double the lead, but some alert defending from Spurs denied it.
Then, another opportunity for the Gunners with Welbeck going for a header, where he failed to make the connection.
40' Tottenham 0 - 1 (Ramsey 39') Arsenal: GOAL!!! What a team-goal from the Gunners. Welbeck produced a stunning run the left, then released the ball for Bellerin. Then, the Spaniard pushed it for an on-rushing Ramsey, who back-heeled into the goal.
Out of nowhere!
38' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Gabriel was furious with a late tackle on himself. But the referee deemed it fit to continue the play.
Then, throw in to Spurs, even a Arsene Wenger finally sat down in his seat. He is not happy.
35' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Having wasted the set-piece in a hurry, Arsenal got to defend themselves after a quick move from Spurs.
34' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Lloris covered some distance to head away a cross from Ozil. Then, Arsenal won their first corner with Welbeck producing a good turn, before having a run in inside the Spurs box.
32' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Free-kick to Arsenal in the centre from a foul on Sanchez. But Arsenal failed to create any meaningful move from it. Ball back to Spurs, as usual.
29' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: A little of introspection and build-up for Arsenal. But after some brutal run-ins, and some advantage play, Michael Oliver stopped the play. Free-kick to Spurs, booking for Coquelin. Three yellow cards already.
27' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: What a save from Ospina. He redirected, and produced a dive to block Lamela cross. Then. Ballerin got himself booked for a foul on Kane. Free-kick to Tottenham.
Then, after the free-kick, Lamela was booked for a foul on Welbeck.
24' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Contentious call from the referee Oliver after a tussle involving Ozil and Walker. Free kick to Arsenal inside their own half.
23' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Outpaced and outsmarted by the home side, Arsenal tried to use the width of the ground, then from a long ball, they managed to put ball in a dangerous spot. But it was cleared away by an alert Spurs defence.
20' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: A fleeting move from the Gunners, ended with a poor pass from Bellerin. Moments ago, Spurs had a free run-in inside the Arsenal box.
18' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Ramsey and Welbeck built up a neat play inside the Spurs half, then Ozil joined in. But Ramsey gave away the possession.
17' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Some anxious moments for Spurs and Lloris took a heavyu touch from a back-pass. No worries though. It was clear without any further mess.
16' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Dembele's free-kick failed to breach the four-man wall. From the resulting play, Rose and Dembele had a little one-two in front of the Arsenal goal-mouth.
Another free-kick to Spurs, this time just outside the box, on the left.
14' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: For the first time, Arsenal got a sense of themselves and tried to cool down the frenzy, rolling the ball around. But a loose ball meant Spurs getting into the act again.
Then, Kane found himself flattened inside the Arsenal half. Free kick to Spurs.
12' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Welbeck had a rare, rare free space inside the Spurs half, but his chested ball was off. Soon, Lloris found one of his outfield players.
10' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Dembele outmatched Welbeck, who was looking to control a loose ball in the centre, with Ozil ahead of him. Again, Spurs won the ball and the pressing continued.
9' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Still no clue for Arsenal. Coquelin's reckless lunge on Kane interrupted the flow. Free-kick to Spurs inside their own half.
7' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Back-to-back corners to Spurs. Eriksen's delivery, both the times, failed to reach the intended target. From the last effort, Welbeck headed away the danger for Arsenal.
6' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: It's all Spurs. Harry Kane had a go at the goal, which David Ospina blocked with some trouble though.
Then, again, on a counter attack Kane once again tested Ospina from a distance.
5' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: First attempt of the match from the Spurs. Alli's effort was cut short by Gibbs, just in front of the Arsenal goal. And first corner of the match to the home side.
Moments later, Tottenham once again built up from the centre. But Ospina have had it easy collecting the ball.
2' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: After a of probing move, Spurs allowed Gunners to test their own defence. A couple of throw-ins followed, from either flank.
1' Tottenham 0 - 0 Arsenal: Hosts Spurs started the proceedings from the centre. Then, after few kick-around, Arsenal won the first throw-in on the left.
Spurs soon got the ball back, then started the push from their own half.
A final look in to the line:
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Eriksen, Alli, Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Carroll, Chadli, Mason, Son.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs; Elneny, Coquelin; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck.
Subs: Macey, Chambers, Monreal, Flamini, Campbell, Walcott, Giroud.
From the vault, before the match:
And, here's what Arsene Wenger said
Arsene Wenger: "This is certainly one of the most important ones [north London derbies]" #TOTARS pic.twitter.com/0mgtJtjZOg — Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2016
Last time Tottenham finished above Arsenal in the league was in 1995, some 7598 days ago. And today's clash is touted as the biggest ever London derby. Rightly so, both the teams are going for the title. And irrespective of the history, and of course, Leicester's form, whichever side wins today, it will be a huge step towards achieving that dream. Minutes into kick-off at White Hart Lane. Michael Oliver will be in charge of the match.
Team news for the first match Tottenham vs Arsenal
Tottenham:
#THFC team: Lloris (c), Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Eriksen, Alli; Kane #COYShttps://t.co/vWZCY2zxeg — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 5, 2016
Arsenal:
The wait is over. Here is your team for #THFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/rpqw134kLs — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 5, 2016
With 10 matches left in the season, except for those four teams involved in the later part of League Cup, it's crunch time for every club. And there are as many as eight matches taking place today, including the London derby between two title contenders Tottenham and Arsenal.
ALSO READ: GAMEWEEK 29 PREVIEW
In today's early kick-off Spurs will take on Gunners at White Hart in a crucial tie, with all the makings of a classic.
Then, in the second lot, we will have six matches with defending champions Chelsea welcoming Stoke City. Other fixtures include those of Manchester City vs Aston Villa, Newcastle United vs Bournemouth, Southampton vs Sunderland, and Swansea vs Norwich.
Leaders Leicester visit Watford in the day's last match.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.
Live Tv