Even though most clubs are suffering from the effects of Covid19, Premier League keeps on giving. Today’s program had two postponed matches but it also gave us three more than interesting encounters with one more on the way.For the first time in 51 days, Tottenham made a Premier League away trip, and they struggled in the early stages as Southampton moved the ball with confidence.Despite becoming the first Tottenham Hotspur manager to begin his reign by going seven league games unbeaten, Antonio Conte will be frustrated that his side failed to take advantage of a Southampton side that played over 50 minutes with 10 men.Numerous disallowed goals also adds salt to the wound of this hard fought draw. Tottenham started on the back foot and were pressured by the Saints early in the game. However, the guest found the net first in the 14th minute, however Ben Davies’ header was ruled out for offside.Home team were rewarded for their attacking display in the opening minutes in the 25th minute – James Ward-Prowse connected with the ball perfectly inside the box and sent the ball spinning away from Hugo Lloris and in the far-side netting.Unfortunately for the south coast team, Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu undid all the fine work his team created with with two quick yellow cards – his second even resulted in a penalty for Tottenham. Spurs captain Harry Kane made no mistake with his spot-kick.Each of Tottenham’s last three Premier League matches have seen an opposition player sent off (Robertson, Zaha, Salisu). They wasted no time in finding the net after the African left the pitch. But Spurs’ celebrations were cut short after a VAR review – Kane scored from a tiny offside.As the game went on, Tottenham pressed even more and managed to score again and for the third time in the match – their goal was ruled out, as Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was fouled by Conte’s substitute Matt Doherty.The Saints showed great resolve to keep their opponents at bay and despite the numerical disadvantage, Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men extended their current unbeaten run at home to six matches.Elsewhere, in southeast London, hapless Hornets received quite a hammering. Watford hadn’t played a game since 10th December coming into this and even with taking an early lead, it all ended badly for the and merrily for David Moyes’ team. The Scot joined Harry Redknapp as the manager with the third-most wins in Premier League history after West Ham United came from behind to beat Watford 4-1.In the fourth minute, Nigerian Emmanuel Dennis produced a moment of magic – he showed patience and composure before finding the top corner with a perfectly-struck effort sent behind Lukasz Fabianski.However, the Hammers needed an opponent like Watford to heal their last-round wounds (loss to Southampton two days ago). Watford can’t keep a clean sheet and that is why they’re a relegation contender.West Ham looked dangerous after the conceded goal and with two quick-fire goals changed everything in the first 30 minutes. Saïd Benrahma side-footed home to stun the ‘Hornets’ in the 29th minute while Tomáš Souček hammered the ball inside the net after a fine pass from Jarrod Bowen two minutes earlier.Few interventions from VAR brought sighs across Vicarage Road but eventually West Ham saw their third goal after hesitation in the home defence – Bowen reacted quickest to Michail Antonio’s lofted cross and was brought down by Daniel Bachmann. Hammers skipper Mark Noble calmly doubled the lead from the penalty spot.As the game went on Watford struggled to gain any momentum and a late substitute Nikola Vlašić made it 4-1 in stoppage time to close the match of completely. Watford have now suffered five defeats in a row but have scored in every game, so improving the defence has to be their priority in January. Meanwhile, West Ham ended a run of three PL matches without a win to continue pushing for a European place.Another goal-filled match took place in southern parts of London. At Selhurst Park, soaring Eagles ended 2021 with flying victory over relegation headed Norwich.Patrick Vieira had to watch from home (after testing positive for COVID-19) how Crystal Palace registered their joint biggest win under his leadership. The Eagles strolled to a 3-0 victory – all three goals came in the first half, courtesy of Odsonne Édouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp. Edouard recorded two assists along with a successful penalty early in the game, deservedly taking home the epithet of the Man on the match.With these three points, Palace move up to ninth while Norwich slip to a fifth successive defeat.PREMIER LEAGUE – Round 20TuesdayWatford – West Ham 1-4 (1-2)/Dennis 4 – Soucek 27, Benrahma 29, Noble 58 pen, Vlasic 90+2/Southampton – Tottenham 1-1 (1-1)/Ward-Prowse 25 – Kane 41 pen, /Crystal Palace – Norwich 3-0 (3-0)/Edouard 8 pen, Mateta 38, Schlupp 42/23.00: (8.00) Leicester (5.10) Liverpool (1.42)Arsenal – Wolverhampton Wanderers POSTPONEDLeeds – Aston Villa POSTPONEDWednesday22.30: (1.43) Chelsea (4.60) Brighton (9.00)23.15: (15.0) Brentford (7.00) Man.City (1.22)Thursday22.30: (1.90) Everton (3.60) Newcastle (4.50)23.15: (1.40) Man.Utd. (4.90) Burnley (9.00)***odds are subject to change
