Saturday has been another huge day in the fight for Premier League survival after Leeds United’s 4-0 loss at home to Manchester City. Jesse Marsch’s side certainly didn’t lack commitment and stayed true to their managers ‘pesky’ claim but ultimately fell short via two set-piece goals and late strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho.
The odds were stacked against the Whites in the first place, before Liam Cooper’s warm-up problem and Stuart Dallas’ serious-looking injury made the improbable near-impossible.
Elsewhere, one key result went against Leeds, with Burnley coming back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at Watford thanks to two goals in the last 10 minutes. The comeback sealed Burnley’s third win in a row and took them above Leeds on goal difference, with the two sides five points above Everton.
Read more: Leeds United 0-4 Manchester City as it happened
Another consequence of the result at Vicarage Road was the confirmed relegation of Norwich, who lost 2-0 at Aston Villa earlier on Saturday, with the Canaries now 13 points short with just four games left. Norwich’s relegation has long been on the cards but three defeats in a row has now confirmed the inevitable. Watford’s defeat - their 11th home loss in a row - all but confirms their status as a Championship team next year, with the Hornets 12 points from safety with four left and an inferior goal difference.
The Toffees are at home to Chelsea tomorrow - the first of their two games in hand - can pull to within two points from safety if they manage to pull off a win. Saturday’s results only reinforce the expectations that the fight for survival will go right down to the wire, with none of Everton, Burnley and Leeds safe.
Having gone five games unbeaten prior to today, Jesse Marsch would have thought 34 points would keep his side all but safe, but an unbelievable bounce back from Burnley’s sacking of Sean Dyche and two good home results for Everton has levelled it all out.
Next weekend sees Leeds travel to Arsenal, while Burnley host Aston Villa and Everton take on Leicester.
The bottom five as it stands:
16: Burnley - 34 points
17: Leeds United - 34 points
18: Everton - 29 points
19: Watford - 22 points
20: Norwich (R) - 21 points
