EPL review: Alex Iwobi reignites Arsenal title hope, Leicester reaffirms title credentials

– Fabregas scored twice for Chelsea against West Ham

– Alex Iwobi stars for Arsenal to return to winning ways

– Mahrez produce another magic to extend Leicester’s lead

Naij.com sports review the EPL round 30/31 as it enters the home straight with the Arsenal’s hope of winning the EPL revived by Alex Iwobi but Leicester also reaffirms their title credentials by shrugging aside Palace.

Fabregas struck twice to deny West Ham victory and maintain their unbeaten run under Hiddink, while Swansea are virtually guaranteed another stint in the EPL next season after moving 11 points clear of the dreaded relegation zone.

Alex Iwobi

Everton 0-2 Arsenal

Alex Iwobi was on target to keep Arsenal’s Premier League hope alive in an impressive display by the Gunners at Goodison Park.

The Gunners knew there was no margin for error if they are to have any chance of winning the EPL and needed just seven minutes to put themselves ahead via Danny Welbeck’s third goal in five league appearances this season.

A wonderful passage of play led to Alexis Sanchez’s clever through ball to Welbeck who rounded the Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles before slotting home.

Iwobi doubled Arsenal’s advantage three minutes before the break when he coolly slotted home Hector Bellerin’s long pass under the advancing Robles – his first Premier league goal in his first Premier league start.

Mahrez scored a super-goal.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester

Riyad Mahrez was on target again to pull the EPL leaders Leicester City eight points clear at the top of the League to take a giant step towards the EPL title with a victory at Crystal Palace.

Mahrez’s first half strike proved the deciding goal against a Palace side yet to record a victory in the top flight in 2016 – their third victory in their last four league matches with the same margin.

This was not a particularly impressive but disciplined performance by the title favourites who relied mainly on counter-attacks, in fact Palace were the better of the two sides, enjoying plenty of possessions without creating any clear cut chances.

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Stoke City players celebrates their goals

Watford 1-2 Stoke City

Stoke City kept up their hunt for the Europa league football with fine strikes from Jonathan Walters and Joselu, moving up to seventh in the league in the process.

Walters opened the scoring in the 18^th minute when he turned in Phil Barsley’s low centre, before Joselu doubled up the scoring shortly after the break with a fine lob over Heurelho Gomes.

Troy Deeney’s headed goal sparked hopes of a late fightback but Stoke held on, though the upcoming matches with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City will be a true test of their Europa league qualification credentials.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas

Chelsea 2-2 West Ham

Cesc Fabregas brace denies West Ham a top four place in a dramatic match at Stamford Bridge to make it 14 straight games in the EPL without loss since the appointment of Gus Hiddink.

Manuel Lanzini scored a spectacular goal to open the scoring and put West Ham in the lead when put through by Payet outside the area before unleashing a stunning strike past the despairing dive of Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea equalised with an exquisite set piece strike by Fabregas three minutes into first-half stoppage-time after Winston Reid Oscar just outside the box.

Substitute, Roy Carrol restored the Hammers lead just 84 seconds after coming on when picked out by Payet before his first-time left-footed strike bounced past Courtois in the 61st minute.

However, Chelsea were not to be denied a draw when awarded a penalty with one minute remaining when Loftus-Cheek was adjudged to be fouled by Antonio.

Cesc Fabregas calmly sent Adrian the wrong way to preserve Chelsea’s undefeated record in the EPL under Hiddink.

Wesley Hoolahan of Norwich

West Brom 0-1 Norwich

Norwich City climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with their first win in 11 games to boost their hope of retaining their status in the EPL.

Robbie Brady scored what might turn out to be a season defining goal, with fellow relegation candidates playing each other on Sunday.

Both teams are set to face Norwich after the international break, giving them a fighting chance of avoiding relegation and keeping their destiny in their own hands.

Remi Garde

Swansea 1-0 Aston Villa

Swansea are close to top-flight safety, thanks to Federico Fernandez’s first goal for the club and compel Villa to ponder life in the Championship.

The Swans are now 11 points clear of the relegation zone despite being outplayed and outfought by Aston Villa, especially in the opening 45 minutes.

The decisive goal came early in the second half when the Argentinian centre-half bundled home Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick past Brad Guzan, leaving Villa in the EPL scrapheap.

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