EPL: Chelsea are back with gusto

Ighalo's Watford in contention up to eight
– Victor Moses inspired West Ham comeback
– Chelsea humiliates Newcastle
– Resurgent Southampton wins again
Naij.com sports reviews the round 26 of the EPL. The
Champions are BACK! With a comprehensive
thrashing of hapless Newcastle and the beleaguered
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal plunged
into further crisis with a defeat at lowly Sunderland.
Ighalo's Watford climbed to eighth and with a fighting
chance of European football while the resurgent
Southampton registered another victory without
conceding a goal.The Hammers came back from the brink to snatch a
late draw – thanks to the introduction of Victor
Moses and Adebayor's first goal was unable to
rescue the goal-shy Palace.
Ryan Giggs and Van Gaal looks on
Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United lose more ground on the top
four, plunging their beleaguered manager Louis van
Gaal deeper into crisis. This United side looked
anything but a top four side despite all the millions
spent.
The home team came flying out of the box and
quickly converted the first opportunity that came
their way. Wahla Khazri opened the scoring with a
well taken free-kick from over 25 yards that eluded
everyone to slot home.
United enjoyed most of the possession in the first
half without making any in-roads. Martial eventually
struck the equalizer in the 39th minute with a
delightful chip over Mannone after he parried his
save from Mata to him.
Sunderland fully deserved the victory on their
second-half performance alone, courtesy of a firm
header by Lamine Kone who proved what all the fuss
was all about over his on and off January transfer
saga. Khazri whipped in a fantastic corner into the
box with Kone jumping the highest to plant a firm
header which De Gea spilled into his own net.
It was a moral boosting and hugely vital victory for
the home side to greatly enhance their survival bid
from relegation.
Sadio Mane of Southampton
Swansea 0-1 Southampton
The first half was not the best in terms of quality but
a very tight contest with both teams attempts either
wayward or blocked.
James Ward-Prowse's lofted pass 20 minutes before
the final whistle gave all the three points to the
resurgent Southampton with Shane Long who
jumped the highest to steer a strong and precise
close-range header past Lukasz Fabrianski, giving him
no chance.Swansea are still entwined with the relegation battle
while it is onwards and upwards for the Saints.
Stoke City players celebrates their goals
Bournemouth 1-3 Stoke City
New signing, Gianelli Imbula set the ball rolling with
a brilliant shot just outside the box from a rebound,
and beyond the reach of Artur Boric.
Ibrahim Affelay doubled the scoring from the edge of
the box with a tentative but accurate effort that went
inside the right post from a pass by Jonathan
Walters.
Joselu gave Stoke an unassailable lead with a close-
range header, planted into the left side of the goal
from a perfect cross by Shaqiri.
Bournemouth reduced the deficit when Matt Ritchie
latched onto Charlie Daniel's pass. He showed a good
awareness inside the box with a first-time strike
which went inside the post.
It was a welcomed victory for the away side after
recent deep and losses.
Deeney of Watford
Crystal Palace 1-2 Watford
Troy Deeney, Watford's Captain fantastic stole the
show to send the Vicarage road outfit to a dizzy
height of eight in the EPL table and a touching
distance of Europe.
Watford's performances are going unnoticed due to
Leicester City's exploits but what they have been able
to achieve so far this season borders on
unbelievable.
The home side's fans can at least be relieved to
witness one of their strikers register a goal from
open play after a long wait when Adebayor finally
broke that dock with his first goal for Palace.
Palace could have won this tie on chances created
but wasted, only for Watford to inflict a classic smash
and grab on the hosts.
Watford opened the scoring from the spot when
Deeney was brought down by Jedinac before tucking
in the resulting penalty. Adebayor restored parity
with a cushioned header, from Wickam's floated
cross.
Deeney's ninth goal of the season came in the 82th
minute from a cross by former Palace midfielder Ben
Watson. He had time to take a touch before firing
home.Victor Moses
Norwich 2-2 West Ham
Victor Moses turned this match on it's head with a
stunning performance after his introduction as a
substitute.
The host must have been dreaming of three points
after going two goals ahead, another two points lost
in the jaws of victory with Liverpool's late comeback
last week.
Jerome gave the home side the lead when he caught
Michail Antonio napping on the ball, advanced 10
yards before curling a the ball unerringly beyond
Adrian with his weaker foot. Hoolian's clip doubled
the advantage with a clip past Adrian.
Dmitri Payet turned the ball home from a rebound by
Moses before Mark Noble fired delightfully from the
edge of the box to restore parity.
Both sides could have won the game but the
Hammers will be the happier of the two with a point
from the jaws of defeat.
Pedro Rodriguez scored two goals
Chelsea 5-1 Newcastle
The champions are back to their championship
winning best in the rout against the hapless
Newcastle at Stamford bridge.
Chelsea played with the gusto they are renowned for
in their EPL winning season. Despite the huge outlay
in the January transfer window Newcastle were made
to look a pauper.
It truly was men against boys, the magpies
dysfunctionality was a depressing sight to behold that
must put the managers tenure into question – a sixth
successive away defeat.
Costa seven goals in eight games in the fifth minute
set the stall for the rout, Pedro double the tally with a
crisply taken shot just outside the area, Willian easily
made it three nil from Costa's pass.
Pedro completed his brace after collecting a lofted
pass from Fabregas to dispatch a fault, Traore added
the fifth before a pointless Townsend reply.