Saturday Roundup: Palace Stun Chelsea, Derby Win For Liverpool, Atletico Climb Up To Third, Lewandowski Hattrick
Reuters / Peter Nicholls
Chelsea’s astonishing lead at the top of the Premier League table was cut to 7 points following their shock home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, as well as Tottenham’s win over Burnley.
Antonio Conte’s boys had won their last 10 league fixtures at Stamford Bridge, and had not lost at home in any competition since September 16, but that run ended by a fighting Eagles side.
The Blues took the lead when Cesc Fabregas turned home Eden Hazard’s cross after just five minutes, but they were quickly behind. Wilfried Zaha displayed a fine solo finish to turn and fire home from the edge of the box, and moments later, the Ivory Coast international set up Christian Benteke to put Palace ahead with a solid dinked effort.
Chelsea consistently piled on the pressure, and had as many as 24 shots at goal – their second-highest total in 29 league games this term. But they couldn’t beat Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey, who made 11 saves in total to make sure his side won a fourth successive game.
Liverpool 3-1 Everton
Reuters / Carl Recine
Liverpool enhanced their prospects of a top-four finish by beating Everton, whose own hopes of continuing the battle for a Champions League qualification spot suffered a big blow after the defeat.
It was Sadio Mane who gave the hosts an early lead when he played a one-two with Roberto Firmino and finished off a speedy run with a shot into the far corner.
A Philippe Coutinho shot was cleared by Toffees keeper Joel Robles and headed off the line by Phil Jagielka before the battling visitors equalized.
Jagielka flicked on a corner at the near post, and after Ashley Williams got a touch, Matthew Pennington arrived to slot in his first Everton goal on his first appearance of this season.
However, the scoreline was level for only two minutes as Coutinho left behind two players to curl a shot into the top corner, and he then set up substitute Divock Origi – who came in place of the injured Mane – to hammer Liverpool’s third.
Málaga 0-2 Atlético Madrid
Atletico Madrid secured the third spot in La Liga following their routine victory at Malaga.
Diego Simeone’s boys were without 7 first-team players due to injuries and suspensions, but strikes by Koke and Filipe Luis concluded a deserved win.
Koke capitalized on a beautiful play by Fernando Torres to put Atletico ahead after 26 minutes, while Torres was also involved for the second as Filipe Luis chipped home his first of the season.
The defeat leaves Malaga six points above the drop zone, while Atletico moved on to 58 points, above Sevilla, who welcome Sporting Gijon on Sunday. Leaders Real Madrid, who have 65 points, host Alaves on Sunday, while Barcelona, two points behind, visit Granada.
Bayern Munich 6-0 Augsburg
REUTERS/Michael Dalder
Robert Lewandowski unleashed a ruthless hat-trick and Thomas Muller bagged two himself as Bayern Munich destroyed struggling Augsburg to close in on a fifth successive Bundesliga title.
Lewandowski volleyed into the top corner to start the proceeding. Bayern scored four goals after the interval, Lewandowski making it 3-0 before Thiago struck. The Polish striker then sealed his hat-trick, with Muller getting the sixth.
Bayern are now 13 points clear at the top with eight games in hand. Their next match is away to third-placed Hoffenheim on Tuesday.