Today’s lunchtime kickoff served up a North London derby feast as Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal drew 2-2, and the 3pm games continued the entertainment with 18 goals across six matches.
Five of those goals came at Goodison Park, where Everton found themselves 2-0 up after 78 minutes despite a first-half red card to Kevin Mirallas. Romelu Lukaku and Aaron Lennon were the scorers.
But West Ham United launched an incredible comeback to win 3-2. Michail Antonio and Diafra Sakho strikes brought them level before Dimitri Payet – of course – completed the turnaround in added time.
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SEE MORE: Everton 2-3 West Ham video: Payet goal seals stunning comeback against 10-man hosts
Sakho’s clever flick set up the Frenchman, named Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards on Thursday night, for a crucial goal in West Ham’s Champions League pursuit.
The Hammers are now within one point of fourth-place Manchester City, who emphatically ended a run of three successive league defeats with a 4-0 thumping of bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa.
Remi Garde’s hapless strugglers held out until half time, but Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and two goals from Sergio Aguero, including this smart volley, put them to the sword after the restart.
SEE MORE: Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa video: Comfortable win piles further misery on Villans
Any feint hopes that improving Chelsea had of sneaking into the top four are probably gone after they conceded a late equaliser to Stoke City’s Mame Biram Diouf to draw 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.
But there were a couple of positives for the Blues. Guus Hiddink set a Premier League record with a 12th unbeaten game since taking charge, and youngster Bertrand Traore scored this left-footed pearler.
SEE MORE: Bertrand Traore goal video v Stoke: Chelsea finally have a kid to shout about
At the basement end, the pressure is piling on Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren after his side fell 3-1 at home to Bournemouth – a result which probably secures the Cherries’ safety.
Charlie Daniels sealed a brilliant away victory with a stoppage-time third, after Ayoze Perez had threatened to set up a thrilling climax by replying to Josh King and a Steven Taylor own goal.
It now appears to be two from three to join Aston Villa in the Championship next season. Norwich City and Sunderland are those fighting it out with Newcastle after disappointing results today.
Norwich went down 1-0 to Swansea City, who are now nine points clear of danger themselves, while Sunderland conceded with the last kick of the game to draw 1-1 with 10-man Southampton.
The point for the Black Cats – it could have been more after Jermain Defoe’s 85th-minute opener – sees them outside of the bottom three on 25 points. Newcastle and Norwich are both on 24.
SEE ALSO:
Chelsea player ratings vs Stoke: Bertrand Traore shines, but defence folds late in 1-1 draw
Tottenham player ratings v Arsenal: Kane steals the show but 8/10 midfielder MOTM in eventful derby
Harry Kane goal video v Arsenal: Sensational North London derby goal rocks White Hart Lane