The relegation battle in the Premier League has been given a splashing new chapter. Burnley is on an unprecedented advance and made a follow-up visit to Watford that Saturday. The visitors were still trailing Watford ten minutes before the end, but turned the game around with two goals and is doing very good business in the fight against relegation. With the three points, Burnley climbs over Leeds United and has five points more than Everton, who are pushed even deeper into worries without playing themselves. Norwich City lost to Aston Villa (0-2) and can no longer maintain themselves due to Burnley’s three-pointer: relegation from the Premier League is a fact.
Watford – Burnley 1-2
Watford needs a minor miracle to maintain themselves and could still use all the points, while Burnley wanted to widen the gap with Everton in a safe place. The home side took the lead somewhat fortunately. Juraj Kucka hit the crossbar with a hard shot, but the ball went over the goal line through James Tarkowski’s knee. Made seven minutes before time the Clarets the liberating equalizer. Charlie Taylor delivered a flawless pass after a rush down the left flank that was headed in by Jack Cork. The goal appeared to be doping for the visitors, as Burnley Josh Brownhill secured the lead. Watford was unable to clear a free kick, after which Brownhill picked up the ball and placed it in the right corner next to a hopeless Ben Foster.
Aston Villa – Norwich City 2-0
Norwich had to win to have a small chance of survival, but fell behind in Birmingham. Ollie Watkins got the ball from Danny Ings, cleared himself nicely past some Norwich defenders and outsmarted a hopeless Tim Krul. In the third minute of stoppage time, Danny Ings increased the suffering for the visitors on a pass from ex-Norwich attacker Emiliano Buendia, who are relegated from the Premier League after a year after Burnley’s loss and victory over Watford.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3
Brighton was given a chance to take the lead after half an hour of play from referee Simon Hooper, after he put the ball on the spot on the advice of the VAR after a handball by Roman Saïss. The penalty was shot at the post by Alexis Mac Allister, which tied the score. Mac Allister was allowed a second chance on the stroke of half-time after Danny Welbeck was knocked out in the penalty area by Willy Boly. This time the Argentinian had his sights on sharp: 0-1. Brighton extended their lead in the second half. Welbeck found with a pass but Leandro Trossard, who coolly worked the ball behind José Sá. Five minutes before the end, Yves Bissouma put an end to all doubt in Molineux Stadium with a shot from distance of about twenty meters.
Southampton – Crystal Palace 1-2
Southampton started well in its own Saint Mary’s Stadium. Oriol Romeu opened the score after nine minutes with a header from a corner by James Ward-Prowse. Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace had good chances to equalize via Conor Gallagher, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew until Eberechi Eze sent the visitors into ecstasy. The wing attacker knew how to handle Nathaniel Clyne’s cross and shot flawlessly into the left corner. It seemed to remain on the south coast of England, until Wilfried Zaha with a beautiful action and ditto shot put the home side in the spotlight and Palace shot to victory.