Super Sub Lukaku Stars As Chelsea Move Level With Liverpool
27 December, 2021
Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea moved level on points with second-place Liverpool after defeating Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park on Sunday evening.
The hosts were without manager Steven Gerrard who tested positive for Covid-19 a day before the encounter.
Villa took the lead on 28 minutes when when Reece James deflected Matt Target's cross into his own net while trying to clear.
Chelsea got back on level terms through Jorginho, who converted a penalty in the 34th minute after Matty Cash brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Romelu Lukaku was introduced at the start of the second half and made the perfect impact as he put Chelsea ahead in the 56 minute with a glancing header.
Lukaku then went on to win a penalty for the Blues in second-half stoppage time, which allowed Jorginho to make it 3-1 with his second spot-kick.
Norwich City 0-5 Arsenal
Arsenal strengthened their grip on fourth spot in the Premier League with a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City.
The Gunners raced into a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney, with Martin Odegaard picking up assists for both goals.
Saka added his second and Arsena's third in the 67th minute, while Alexandre Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe also got their names on the scoresheet.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur climbed up to fifth spot on the Premier League table with a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Harry Kane got Spurs up and running with his third goal of the season in the 32nd minute, before Lucas Moura doubled the advantage two minutes later.
Palace's hopes of comeback were dashed after their talisman Wilfried Zaha was sent off for picking up his second yellow card.
Son Heung-Min rounded off the scoring for the North London outfit with 15 minutes left in the second half with his eighth goal of the season.
West Ham United 3-2 Southampton
West Ham United extended their winless run to three matches after suffering a 3-2 loss to at Southampton.
Mohamed Elyounoussi and James Ward-Prowse put the Saints ahead to cancel out Michail Antonio's strike.
Saido Benrahma restored parity for the Hammers on 64 minutes, but Jan Bednarek bagged the winning goal for the visitors six minutes later.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za