The English Premier League moves into 2014 at the halfway
point with Arsenal at the top of the table. The Gunners have found it
difficult to beat their closest rivals, losing by a single goal at Manchester
Untied and drawing 1-1 and 0-0 at home to Everton and Chelsea respectively, but
most notably suffering a 6-3 thrashing at second placed Manchester City
who have been invincible at home putting 6 past Tottenham without reply but not
so convincing on their travels, losing 1-0 at Sunderland.
Chelsea are still unbeaten at home after making it
2-2 from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time against West Brom. A 3-2
defeat at Stoke showed further vulnerabilities but after a goalless draw at
Arsenal, they finished the year with 2 home wins, beating Swansea 1-0 and
getting the better of Liverpool 2-1 to move into 3rd place.
Everton were denied victory by a late goal in a 3-3
thriller at home to Liverpool but struck late to win at Manchester United and
earned a draw at Arsenal. The Toffees enjoyed a 2-1 win at Swansea but were
stunned 1-0 at home to Sunderland before ending on a high with a 2-1 victory at
home to Southampton.
Liverpool suffered a shock 3-1 loss at Hull, but the
prolific Luis Suarez helped them move briefly to the top of the table thumping
hosts Tottenham 5-0 on the way before losing 2-1 at Manchester City and
Chelsea.
Manchester United who drew 2-2 at Cardiff and
Tottenham before losing 1-0 at home to Everton and Newcastle were getting
dragged towards the middle of the table until 4 straight wins won them some
respectability and put them in touching distance with the top teams.
Tottenham who were hit for 6 at Manchester City
parted with their manager Andre Villas Boas after being humiliated 5-0 at home
to Liverpool, but bounced back with a 3-2 victory at Southampton.
Newcastle have had a good run of results marred only
by a 3-0 setback at Swansea and their latest 1-0 loss at home to league leaders
Arsenal and lie in 8th spot with a 6 point gap separating them from Southampton
who despite playing some refreshing football had failed to win since
sending Hull back 4-1 losers until their recent 3-0 cruising at Cardiff. Among
their losses were 3-2 defeats to Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Hull City lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace but put
Liverpool to the sword 3-1 at the KC Stadium a week later and have been
difficult to beat, losing only 3-2 at home to Manchester United. A week later
they filled their boots firing 6 past Fulham in their last match of the year.
Swansea City shared 6 goals with their visitors from
Stoke after conceding a stoppage-time penalty and drew 1-1 at home to Hull and
away to Norwich and Aston Villa, but will remember with fondness their 3-0 home
win over Newcastle.
Stoke City fell 4-0 at Everton but overcame Chelsea
3-2 and Aston Villa 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium. The Potters ended the year
with heavy defeats, losing 5-1 at Newcastle and 3-0 at Tottenham.
Aston Villa enjoyed a 3-2 win at Southampton, but
then suffered 4 consecutive defeats including 2-0 at Fulham and 1-0 at home to
Crystal Palace before ending the year with a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea.
Norwich City were swept away 5-1 at Liverpool but
bounced back to win 2-0 at West Brom, but after drawing at home to Swansea and
away to Sunderland they suffered a 2-1 disappointment at home to Fulham and
ended the year with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
West Bromwich Albion who were seconds away from
ending Chelsea's unbeaten home record and let a 2 goal lead slip a week later
at home to Aston Villa suffered 4 consecutive defeats followed by 3 draws
ending in a 3-3 draw at West Ham.
Cardiff City earned a 2-2 home draw against
Manchester United and were 1-0 winners at home to West Brom, but the dismissal
of manager Malky Mackay has plunged their future into uncertainty.
Crystal Palace have not drawn since their goalless
match at home to Everton in early November. Their 1-0 wins at Hull and Aston
Villa plus a 1-0 home wins over West Ham and a 2-0 victory at home to Cardiff
have kept them outside the relegation zone, albeit on goal difference.
Fulham have had a string on poor results leading to
the sacking of manager Martin Jol. A
2-1 win at Norwich gave them temporary solace, but their 6-0 humiliation at
Hull has sent them into the relegation zone.
West Ham United ended the year with a 3-3 draw
at home to West Brom, but with their only other points in the last 11 matches
coming from a 3-0 home win against Fulham and a goalless draw against
Sunderland, they find themselves in a battle for survival.
Sunderland
are at the bottom of the table despite creditable 1-0 victories at home to
Manchester City and away to Everton. The Black Cats have been difficult to
beat, losing 4-3 at home to Chelsea and picking up several draws and are only 2
points from safety.
