Southampton sinking into mediocrity
After their eight-match unbeaten run from late September through to the start of November, Southampton are now winless in five. A month ago, Southampton, like Palace now, had their sights firmly set on the European places but may have to lower their ambitions unless Ronald Koeman can find a way to halt their dramatic slide down the table. Against a high-flying Crystal Palace, Koeman reverted to a 5-3-2 formation but all this managed to do was nullify the Saints’ attacking threats such as Sadio Mane and Shane Long. Had it not been for the impressive performance from stand-in keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, the score could have been more. With a tough run of fixtures approaching, the Saints’ slide down the table may continue.
Spirited Bournemouth secure another master-class win
Two weeks and two wins against the defending champions Chelsea, who have won the Premier League four times in the last decade and 20-time winners Manchester United, who have won it five times. Following up their impressive performance at Stamford Bridge was always going to be a tall order but the Cherries started admirably. They were rewarded through Junior Stanislas’ freakish direct corner kick goal which left United static and quite frankly shocked. After Maroune Fellani equalised in scrappy fashion, a set piece routine in the form of a corner saw Josh King calmly slot an impressive finish into the bottom corner, condemning Louis van Gaal’s team to its second defeat in a week.
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