With the Week 10 fixtures underway there is a huge amount to play for, especially as there is only one Match Week remaining after this one.
Everton, who were two point in the lead, could have extended their points advantage as they faced a tricky encounter away to Watford. The Hornets are the form team of this season and could keep themselves in with a slim title chance if they won this match.
Everton started the brighter and were soon in the lead thanks to a great goal into the far corner. Watford fought back and there were chances at both ends. Near half time, Watford got the chance they needed and equalised. The match could have gone either way at this point as the keepers produced some defining saves. When the fans were preparing for a draw, Watford game away a clumsy direct free kick. Everton thought they could win it but the Watford wall managed to keep the ball out of the net. Despite some further late pressure Watford held on for a 1-1 draw. It keeps Everton top for now, but Arsenal and Man Utd can equal their points tally, if they win later.
The Everton manager said “The point keeps us in the race for the title but 3 points for the win would have made our task a little easier. But saying that, Watford are a very good team this season and that shows in not only their league position but also that they are FA Cup semi-finals. They beat Arsenal 4-0 in the FA Cup earlier this season, so we have to hope they can go and produce another score line like that to help us a bit. But we cannot rely on other teams, we have to go out there next week and get a result against Manchester United”.
West Ham faced a crunch home match against rivals Chelsea. If West Ham lost then they would be relegated and Chelsea would love nothing more than to do that to their rivals. West Ham started well but neither side could break the deadlock. The West Ham fans were getting worried but then, West Ham found the net and they were leading. It was all looking positive for the home side until later in the game when a defender slipped trying to block a shot and Chelsea had a penalty. The blues tapped it in to draw level and break the Irons hearts. With only a few minutes left, West Ham did not have time to find a winner so the points were split. The points keep the Hammers in with a chance of survival but they will now need to rely on other teams results and win their final match against Southampton.
Manchester United faced Nottingham Forest in game they needed to win to keep in the title race. Forest could avoid relegation with a win but their league form was against them. It proved so as United took the lead. Forest continued to fight but they could not find a way through. united managed to hold on and took all 3 points with the slim 1-0 win. Forest go into the final week hoping to avoid the drop.
Title challengers Arsenal took on strugglers Southampton at home. Southampton put up a strong game in the first half but Arsenals strength shone through as they went on to get the first goal. Southampton had opportunities to get back into the match but then Southampton gave away a direct free kick. The home fans called for s penalty but the referee marked the spot just outside the area. It made little difference in the end as Arsenal scored from the free kick. They had a chance late on to make it 3-0 and extend their goal difference further, but they could not take advantage. It leaves Southampton in a winner takes all match against West Ham for the final game.