EPL Review: Thriller at Old Trafford and, what a race we have on our hands!

Absolute madness! Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates after leveling late on at Old Trafford as United settled for a 4-4 draw a...

Absolute madness! Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates after leveling late on at Old Trafford as United settled for a 4-4 draw against Bournemouth. (Photo credit: BBC)

The Premier League remains a gift that keeps giving, and that is why we love the show. Weekend results got us wondering if this would be the closest ever title run, and while we know the frontrunners, we also have an idea of some teams that will not be part of it.

Where do we start from? Where else? Let's begin with the last game of game week 16, which featured eight goals, a seemingly repentant Ruben Amorim, and reflections for the Manchester United fan who must once again wait for United to win five consecutive games.

Bruno Fernandes once again proved his worth as Manchester United powered on in the game, but Bournemouth weren’t going to just stay there and be beaten. Having gone behind, Bournemouth levelled twice, took the lead, went behind again and then levelled to end the game 4-4.

At some points in the game, the Red Devils appeared to change shape a little bit with Kobbie Mainoo coming on, but it didn’t stop them from dropping points at home. We enjoyed the game as neutrals, and we’re asking, “Is that the game of the season so far?”

Manchester City kept up at the top with Arsenal with a comfortable 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Arsenal remains on top, but what a race we have on our hands! We know how strong City can be in the second half of the season; Arsenal cannot afford to drop points.

For the Gunners, the win over Wolves at home was nowhere near their standards, but it was one they must grab and run with. We don’t expect such poor performance from them again; they must accept City’s challenge. It is on!

Aston Villa is in there. Unai Emery’s lads are in the title mix; they’re only three points off the pace, and if they keep grinding out results, you’d be shocked at what this season could look like. We won’t rule them out; you shouldn’t either.

At the other end of the table, Leeds United continues to defy odds. Another 1-1 draw, away from home, and they keep trying their best to live outside the drop zone. West Ham lost at home to Aston Villa, meaning the Hammers remain in the drop zone.

Liverpool’s healing process continues; Mohammed Salah is back in the squad, but he’s off to AFCON. He’s not the only one; Sunderland will be the worst-hit with the AFCON tournament, and it’s left to be seen how they adapt in the absence of their African talents.