EPL 2016/17: 10 things we learned from Gameweek 11
After 11 weeks of exhilarating football, we head into yet another international break; thankfully the last one for the year and quite a while now. Phew! But let us go back to the weekend and relive yet another fantastic weekend of action packed and entertaining football from the United Kingdom in the English Premier League.
While the headlines before the weekend were dominated by Tottenham and Arsenal as they faced each other in the North London Derby, there was more to the weekend than just the two North London clubs. Chelsea and Liverpool certainly stole the show and are tied on top of the table, doing so in stunning fashion.
Elsewhere, Sunderland and Hull City picked up all three points in a weekend that could have probably shaped up both the top and bottom of the table. Before heading into the break, here are 10 things learned from the weekend.
#1 Leicester brought back down to earth this season, and how!
Leicester City’s fairytale run last season was something not just the footballing fraternity but the whole world fell in love with. Manager Claudio Ranieri requested his group of players not to leave the club and stay for a few more years as he looked to build a good team for the Foxes. While most players from last season did stay, things haven’t gone to plan for Ranieri and Leicester.
The Foxes have lost 5 games this season which is two more than they did the whole of last season. While Leicester has had a hit and miss season so far, this has to be their most disappointing game as they lost at home for the first time this season. Placed 14th on the table, they are only 2 points above the relegation zone and have a lot to do in order to finish in the top 10.
#2 Lethargic Manchester City slipping up too often
Be it the intensity of the Premier League or the complacency of Manchester City, The Citizens have been anything but clinical on many occasions this season and it was the same story this weekend against Boro. After a fantastic first half where Middlesborough hardly even had a sniff of the ball, Manchester City took the lead.
However, it was the same old story as they lacked either a good finish or a final ball and that cost them. A last minute equalizer now leaves Manchester City in third with three draws, against Boro, Southampton, and Everton, all the games where they dominated but weren’t clinical. Guardiola must push his players if they are to get back on track in the title race.