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EPL Results: Monday’s Week 20 Scores, Updated 2017 Premier League Table
- Updated: January 2, 2017
Manchester United moved to within one point of the top four after second-half goals from substitute Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave them a 2-0 win over 10-man West Ham United at the London Stadium on Monday. Mata came off the bench to score just after the hour mark to move United one point shy of fourth-place Arsenal, who have played one fewer game.
The Hammers were reduced to a man less after 15 minutes, when midfielder Sofiane Feghouli was shown a straight red card after a clash with United centre-back Phil Jones.
United’s win came on the same day bitter rivals Liverpool dropped two precious points in the title race. Relegation candidates Sunderland held the Reds to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
The draw left Liverpool trailing leaders Chelsea by five points, having played one game more. The Blues can lay down a marker in the title race by winning at fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Here are the results from Monday’s matches:
Here’s what the results mean for the updated table:
Recap
There was more than a little debate about Feghouli’s red card. Some, including Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara, felt the challenge didn’t merit a straight red:
What is going on with the refereeing in the premier league 😳 Mike Dean explain how that’s a sending off 🤔??????
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) January 2, 2017
Others, including the Mail on Sunday’s Oliver Holt, supported referee Mike Dean’s decisive action:
I think Dean was right to show a red there. Challenge was late, high and out of control
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) January 2, 2017
It took United until the 63rd minute to make their numerical advantage count. Mata provided the telling difference in the final third, finishing smartly after fellow sub Marcus Rashford’s fine work out wide.
Spanish playmaker Mata has made a habit of adding a flourish to United’s play going forward. BBC Match of the Day detailed just how influential he’s been in front of goal:
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