Mitch Freeley

The seventeenth round of the Premier League season saw moments of tactical and individual genius, along with returning coaches getting statement wins at former clubs. As ever we have broken down the moments that matter in our regular five things we learnt column. As ever you can catch up with all the latest Premier League highlights via beIN CONNECT.  

Burnley firmly in European contention

You have to credit Burnley for their consistent performances in recent weeks. Sean Dyches side has won 6 of their last 10 Premier League encounters, and following their 1-0 win against Stoke briefly were in fourth place in the Premier League. The feat is all the more impressive when you consider the budget of Burnley against sides such as Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal who are in the mix for a top-four finish this season.  Dyche’s decision to stick with the Clarets after the being linked with the then vacant Everton job seems to have worked out, and providing his side can remain consistent during a busy December, Dyche could be guiding the Lancashire club to European football for the first time since the 1966/1967 season. 

Fox in the box Silva crucial to Pep’s philosophy

David Silva grabbed a brace as Man City extended their winning streak in the league to 15 games. It’s clear to see why Silva is getting the nod in the central midfield as his intelligent runs and decisiveness in front of goal have been a hallmark of the league leader’s play in recent weeks. 
This was brilliantly shown with his deft flick for the opening goal, and then smart linkup play with Raheem Sterling and another composed chip for the third goal of the game, effectively ending the competition at the Liberty Stadium. Silva has 5 goals this season in the league and is well on the way to beating his season-best tally of 12, especially with himself and City being in such form at the moment. 

As for Swansea they have no only registered one win in their last ten Premier League games and sit bottom of the Premier League. Something has to change at the Welsh club if they are to survive and manager Paul Clement must be worrying about his job, especially when survival specialist Tony Pulis is a free agent after being sacked at West Brom. 

Big Sam does the business on Tyneside. 

Big Sam returned to former club Newcastle and duly delivered three points for his new side Everton, as the Toffees ran out 1-0 winners. Against the run of play, Everton took the lead when Wayne Rooney pounced on a Karl Darlow mistake to stab the ball in from close range. From then on, Everton defended resolutely and certainly rode their luck with Newcastle hitting the woodwork on two occasions and creating the vast majority of chances. 

After pulling away from the relegation zone Everton are now in the top half of the table and could be a good outside bet for European football at the end of the season. Everton takes on three bottom half sides in their next four games in the form of Swansea, Chelsea, West Brom, and Bournemouth before the turn of the year and providing they can get some positive results could be in the mix for Europa league football. 

Puel appointment working out for Leicester 

It was certainly a happy return to St Mary’s for Leicester boss Claude Puel on Wednesday night. Many people had lamented the appointment of the French coach after Craig Shakespeare was relieved of his duties in October. However, the former Monaco and Lyon coach has hit the ground running with the Foxes and is now on a four-game winning streak with the side. 

Puel set up the side perfectly for the 4-1 away victory, utilizing the pace and attacking talents of Vardy and Shinji Okazaki who were a constant menace in the first half. After racing into a three-goal lead, the side sat back and invited Southampton pressure, even conceding a goal before Okazaki put the game beyond doubt with twenty minutes left to play. Puel and Leicester will be looking to extend their run to five wins when they take on Crystal Palace at the weekend. 

Palace have a fighting chance of survival thanks to Hodgson

Crystal Palace briefly pulled out of the relegation zone on Tuesday evening following their 2-1 home win against Watford. The result was all the more impressive considering that the sides two goals came in the final minutes of the game. Roy Hodgson has certainly stopped the rot at Palace and the South London side have not tasted defeat in their last six Premier League encounters. The Eagles head to an in-form Leicester city on the weekend, looking to register back to back wins in the league for the first time this season.