EPL Matchday 13 Takeaways

This week should’ve been one of the easier weeks to pick the results within the confines of the English Premier League, however, the big guns were made to earn their points after the lower ladder teams did their best to make week thirteen an unlucky week. There was only one real upset, but a lot of the games were harder than anyone could have expected. We’ve come to expect that in the Premier League, so without further delay, here are the takeaways from matchday 13 of the English Premier League:

Brighton takes it to United

This could and should have been a 3-0 win to Manchester United, but the boys from Brighton stepped up in front of over 75,000 fans to take it to one of the biggest clubs in Europe. A very unlucky own goal from Lewis Dunk was the difference, as Pascal Gross and Mat Ryan stood tall and took it to the Red Devils. Jose Mourinho came out after the game and noted that he may have played too many attackers, which once again poses the question as to the status of the front line up.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic came in after an hour this time, as he slowly gets back to full fitness, and Lukaku did not look incredibly dangerous. This game really was a tale of two teams, as a dogged and determined Brighton went down to a lackluster Manchester United. In the end though, United got the points and that is all that matters.

Burnley took the bait

In what was a massive opportunity for Burnley to leap into the European spots, they weren’t able to get it done at home, as an Alexis Sanchez penalty gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at Turf Moor. Burnley had their chances, with Petr Cech pushing a shot from Johann Gudmundsson onto the post, but they couldn’t get the all important win as Arsenal moved up into fourth place, crucially ahead of Tottenham, and only one point behind Chelsea.

Burnley has the chance to earn those points back, but they have to travel to Bournemouth, who will be wanting to get the win after a draw against Swansea, while Arsenal will host Huddersfield. Speaking of…

The Terriers tormented once again

It isn’t as if Huddersfield wasn’t playing good football, yet they just couldn’t sink the ball into the back of the net. Their only goal was an Otamendi own goal, as Mooy’s late free kick went wide of the post to give Manchester City a 2-1 win. Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling ended up with the goals, as City kept their league lead to a lovely eight points as we head into December. That loss leaves Huddersfield in eleventh, and with Arsenal on Wednesday, they will want to salvage a point at least to have a good buildup into a very big month that includes Chelsea and Burnley in their run.

Crystal Palace are starting to take names

Crystal Palace just doubled their win tally for the year, and they very well may just be starting to come together after a 2-1 win at home against Stoke. They took up every possible second to get that win, however, a goal from Mamadou Sakho deep in stoppage time got the three points against Stoke City.

Shaqiri opened the scoring on 53 minutes with a fine solo effort, but Roben Loftus-Cheek sealed it up at 1-1 just three minutes later. If Palace is able to continue their unbeaten home run, which stands at four games now, they may just have a chance to remain in the top flight of English Football. No game is easy in the Premier League, but Palace has a five game run that could help them get out of the relegation zone. Let’s see if that will actually happen.

Watford whittles away the Magpies

Newcastle just lost 3-0 at home to a dominant Watford side. Now typically, the alarm bells should start ringing, because Watford and dominant do not go in the same sentence. However, they shouldn’t just yet. Newcastle had the possession, but they just couldn’t get past Gomes. Watford just finished better, it is as simple as that.

Some Newcastle fans didn’t enjoy the outing, calling for the head of Rafa Benitez, as well as for players like Joselu and Murphy to be dropped. While Rafa shouldn’t be dropped, the players may not be so lucky. Newcastle has West Brom next, and the team needs a bit of a reshuffle, because they can’t score at the moment.

Newcastle only has two goals from their last five games, and only three points out of their last fifteen. Crucially, they are only four points out of the relegation zone. That needs to change, and fast.