“What is Leicester City doing at the top of the Premier League standings?” you ask. “Enjoying every moment of it” is the answer.
We picked Leicester City as relegation favorites at the start of the season. All Claudio Ranieri’s team has done since then is make a mockery of our, and everyone else’s, predictions. Jamie Vardy is scoring freely for the rampaging Foxes, and they deserve the acclaim and attention they currently are receiving.
Their stay at the top won’t last very long. It can’t last more than a week. Can it?
We wouldn’t be talking about Leicester’s seat on the perch had Manchester City taken care of business against Liverpool.
But the Reds, revived under Jurgen Klopp’s management, hammered Manchester City 4-1 on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho were instrumental. The former set up Liverpool’s first and second goals before scoring the third — all within 32 minutes of the start of the game.
Coutinho’s importance to Liverpool is well documented. Firmino’s is growing before our eyes.
Liverpool’s explosion was the second time this season Manchester City’s defense has imploded.
When Manuel Pellegrini’s side is playing well, it looks unstoppable. But without Vincent Kompany and David Silva, Manchester City is vulnerable, and other teams bite at the chance to snatch points from the weakened Premier League power.
Manchester City’s loss to Liverpool caused it fall from first place to third place in a matter of hours. Leicester City and Manchester United sit higher in the standings, as the Premier League continues to serve up weekly surprises.
Saturday, Nov. 21
Watford 1 – 2 Manchester United
Troy Deeney scored for Watford in the first half. Then he scored against his own team in the 90th minute to hand Manchester United the win.
Southampton 0 – 1 Stoke City
Chelsea 1 – 0 Norwich City
Diego Costa’s goal gave Chelsea a much-needed win, but we don’t know if the victory over the Canaries represents a false dawn for Jose Mourinho’s Blues.
Newcastle 0 – 3 Leicester City
Jamie Vardy tied a Premier League record by scoring in his 10th consecutive game. He leads the league in goals with 13, and so does his team.
Swansea City 2 – 2 Bournemouth
Everton 4 – 0 Aston Villa
Romelu Lukaku is young, gifted and red-hot. He scored twice in the rout.
West Brom 2 – 1 Arsenal
The Baggies’ win over the Gunners would have been the biggest shock of most rounds.
Lost in the Vardy hooplah is Mesut Ozil’s impressive assist streak. The German set up Olivier Giroud’s goal.
Manchester City 1 – 4 Liverpool
Review the Reds’ big road win in our wrap and read about what it means for them going forward in our verdict.
Sunday, Nov. 22
Tottenham 4 – 1 West Ham
Spurs are on a roll, and Harry Kane is scoring freely again. Can Tottenham reached the promised land of a top-four finish and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League?
Monday, Nov. 23
Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Sunderland
Jermaine Defoe’s revival lifted the Black Cats off the floor of the Premier League standings.
Thumbnail photo via Jon Super/The Associated Press
