Five things we learned from the Premier League this weekend

13 February 2017 10:42

Chelsea are 10 points clear in the race for the Premier League title despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Burnley on Sunday.

Arsenal moved level with second-placed Tottenham following a 2-0 win against Hull while their north London rivals lost at Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Leicester's alarming slump showed no signs of stopping following their defeat at Swansea.

Here, we look at five things we learned from another pulsating weekend of Premier League action.

1. It's all gone wrong for Renieri and Leicester

Leicester are prime candidates to become the first club in almost 80 years to win the top-flight title and be relegated the following season. Rainieri's side were dismal in their latest outing - losing 2-0 at Swansea - and the Foxes are now more than 10 hours without a goal. On Sunday, they also became the first champions to fail to score in six consecutive league outings. Will Ranieri be able to halt Leicester's dramatic slump? Up next is the distraction of an FA Cup tie against Millwall before the first leg of their Champions League clash with Sevilla. Liverpool, Hull and Arsenal then follow in the league in what is set to be a crucial four weeks for the Italian and his forlorn side.

2. Clement is the leading light at Swansea

Swansea appeared destined for relegation before Paul Clement's arrival last month. But since he took charge at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea have won four of their six league matches - having won just three of their previous 19 fixtures - with the club now 15th and four points clear of relegation. While there is still work to be done before their Premier League status is secured, Clement, and his new club, are certainly heading in the right direction.

3. Sadio is the main man

Sadio Mane marked his first start at Anfield in 2017 with two goals in the space of 138 seconds as Liverpool secured their opening league victory of the year with a 2-0 win against Tottenham. Liverpool sorely missed Mane, who has been involved in more Premier League goals this season than any of his team-mates, while he was on African Nations Cup duty, and manager Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have the Senegalese striker back in his ranks. Liverpool had dropped out of the top four before Saturday's match, but Mane's comeback could re-ignite their bid to secure Champions League football next season.

4. Is the title race back on?

After their resounding victory against Arsenal the title looked destined to be heading to Chelsea. But Antonio Conte's side encountered a rare slip-up on Sunday after dropping two points against Burnley. While it is hardly an alarming result, given Burnley's impressive form at home, it may prove to Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City - who face Bournemouth on Monday - and the rest of the chasing pack, that the fat lady has not sung quite yet.

5. Two thousand up for United

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United are back on song and back on track in their quest to regain their top-four status. Following a poor start to the campaign, United have not lost in the league for nearly four months (their 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on October 23) and the three points from their latest win - against Watford on Saturday - also ensured that the Old Trafford giants become the first club to register 2,000 points in the Premier League era.

Source: PA-WIRE