Premier League: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT

We give our verdict on yesterday’s action in another ‘Five Things We Learnt’ review

We discuss the title, relegation and the Champions League after eight games of impacting Premier League football.

Leicester 2-0 Liverpool: Win keeps The Foxes believing

Leicester City continued their astonishing journey at the top of the Premier League table with an impressive 2-0 home win against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, in front of The Foxes’ second highest attendance this season.

The two sides found themselves level at half time, before an incredible first-time volley by Jamie Vardy from outside the box handed Claudio Ranieri’s side the advantage. The England international then went on to complete his brace punishing Liverpool’s defence with a classy finish from inside the six-yard box.

The Foxes were on top for majority of the stages during the match, but Liverpool were hardly poor. Clearly, it was not the best display from Liverpool this season, but the difference between both sides must be emphasized on Leicester’s pure brilliance throughout the 90 minutes.

The win gives Ranieri’s team more confidence and belief ahead of an almost certain title challenge come the end of the season.

Norwich City 0-3 Tottenham: Spurs firmly in title race

Tottenham came away with all three points after a dominant performance at Carrow Road that saw them affirm their status as title contenders this season.

A Harry Kane double and Dele Alli’s goal made it a successful night in Norfolk. The win gives Mauricio Pochettino’s side great confidence ahead of this weekend’s home match against overachieving Watford. Spurs now sit five points inside the Champions League places and five points behind league-leaders Leicester City.

Not only did the victory increase their chances of winning this year’s title, it also saw them leapfrog North London rivals Arsenal on goal difference to third place.

If Tottenham continue to show their balance as an attacking and defensive unit – something they’ve lacked over the past few years – they will certainly be in with a shout to claim the title come May.

West Ham 2-0 Aston Villa: Villa a sinking ship still sinking

An early Jordan Ayew red card force Villa onto the back-foot quickly, but it was still a valiant and brave response from the Birmingham club. However, two goals from Antonio and Kouyate proved to be the difference between the two sides in a game that Aston Villa can be called out for being unlucky.

The early sending off damaged the game plans of manager Remi Garde who had to make tactical changes to prevent too heavy of an impact. But without all eleven men on the pitch, Villa just found it too hard to cope and ultimately sacrificed the three points they are starving for at this time.

Aston Villa still sit bottom of the league 10 points from safety with increasing doubt looming over the heads of supporters. They face fellow relegation candidates Norwich City at home this weekend in a game they must gain from in order to save their season.

Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City: United finally find goals.

Yes you read that right, Manchester United scored three goals in one game.

Not only that, they also netted twice in the first-half which is also a rare thing nowadays.

With the pressure mounting on Louis van Gaal each and every week it seems, this confident and emphatic win will certainly keep the vultures at bay for the time being.

Goals from Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney gave United the comfortable win and it finally gave the Old Trafford faithful something to be excited about.

It looks like both Martial and Rooney have re-found top form.

Arsenal 0-0 Southampton: Title slipping away from Gunners.

What a frustrating month for Arsenal.

They started 2016 top of the table, but four games later and just three points later, they are now fourth and have even been caught by local-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Draws to Liverpool, Stoke City and Southampton have been accompanied by a loss to Chelsea in a month to forget for Arsene Wenger and co.

They haven’t scored in the league since January 13th either and they are slowly slipping out of this year’s title-race.

Some big games coming up for Wenger and they need to start putting things right quickly if they want to end that title-drought.