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| Gundogan was awarded the POTM for his outstanding performance last month |
As we set for the return of Europe Elite's Club Competition,the UEFA Champions League to kick off its knockout stage on Tuesday night on 16th February, Matchweek 24 of the Premier League threaten to shape up the league standings as teams tried to find their rhythm for the final push till the end of the season.
After losing 4-1 to Manchester City at Anfield, Liverpool came into MW24 travelling to Leicester, as the aim shifted for a top 4 finish for the Reds. Leicester City had their own top 4 ambition and had a huge boost with the return of club's talisman Jamie Vardy. Leicester were 3rd, 3 points over the Champions at 4th.
After a goalless first half, it was Liverpool who drew first blood. They broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when Mohammed Salah bended a fine strike in the top left hand corner after a sublime backheel pass from Firmino. At that point it looked like it would be mere formality for Liverpool to see the game out.
But that was not the case. Having imploded in a space of 10 minutes against Manchester City, they imploded again as 3 goals in space of 7 minutes made it 3-1 for Leicester.
They first conceded a free kick just at the edge of the box after a VAR review. James Maddison curled in a strike in the 78th minute which went in directly. It was however initially judged Offside against Amartey who looked like trying to play the ball. After a check from VAR it was deemed onside as Firmino's boot had played him on.
Alisson Becker was signed by Liverpool in 2018 after a disastrous performance from keeper Loris Karius in the Champions League Final against Real Madrid. Ever since his arrival, Alisson has established himself as one of the great keepers of the past few seasons. However he is not having a good time between the sticks at the moment.
After making 2 direct errors in that 4-1 humbling against City a week ago, he committed another howler. In the 81st minute, Youri Tielemans played a long ball through for Leicester. That ball should have been no problem for Debutant Defender Ozan Kabak. As he tried to control it,Alisson needlessly rushed of his line and collided with him. The ball went straight to Jamie Vardy who had a open goal to tap it in. No need to say what happened next.
As Liverpool tried to get back in the game, they gave the ball away and Leicester took full use of it. Wilfred Ndidi picked out Harvey Barnes from the left. Barnes raced past Kabak and fired it in the bottom corner in the 85th minute to make it 3-1 and send the Leicester fans and the club in Dreamland. With that win they moved up to second for the time being, 6 clear of Liverpool as the Champions lost again.
The Headline fixture of the week came from Manchester as another chapter of the Guardiola-Mourinho rivarly was written. Having locked horns before in the Champions League (Mourinho's Inter vs Pep' Barcelona), in the El Clasico in La Liga and Manchester Derby, Mourinho took his Spurs side to the Etihad for the first time since becoming their manager.
With both of them set to play out the EFL Cup Final in April, this was like a dress rehearsal for them. Manchester City continued their pursuit for a third title in 4 years with a stunning 3-0 win over Spurs.
They earned a controversial Penalty in the 21st minute as Ilkay Gundogan and Pierre Højbjerg got into a tangle. With their recent problems it was Rodri who took the Penalty and he just managed to make it count as his Penalty hitted Lloris and somehow went to make it 1-0.
Spurs never really threatened as City kept on pressing. January's Player of the Month, Gundogan continued his red hot streak in front of the goal as he scored another brace.
After some clinical passes, Sterling found Gundogan who rifled it from a close range, another shot which should have been saved by Lloris. In the 66th minute Gundogan killed the game off after receiving a long ball from Goalkeeper Ederson! Yes Ederson got the assist for that one. Great Footwork from Gundogan followed by a cool finish made sure, City won for a 16th game straight as they opened up a 7 point lead at the top with a game in hand.
Other Results in Premier League-
Crystal Palace 0-3 Burnley
Brighton 0-0 Aston Villa
Southampton 1-2 Wolves
West Brom 1-1 Manchester United
Arsenal 4-2 Leeds United
Everton 0-2 Fulham
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