Premier League Table: 2017 Standings, Week 21 Fixtures After Week 20 Results

Chelsea's wining run in the Premier League came to an end after a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Wednesday. Dele Alli scored two headers from Christian Eriksen crosses to condemn the table-topping Blues to their first league defeat since September.

Ironically, Tottenham's north London rivals, Arsenal, had been the last team to beat Chelsea in the league, winning 3-0. By losing to Spurs, the Blues failed to match the Gunners' record for consecutive wins in England's top flight, per OptaJoe:

The result still leaves Chelsea top but by only five points. By contrast, Tottenham leapfrogged Arsenal into the top four and even went above Manchester City into third on goal difference. Spurs also find themselves seven points off the top.

So the result has proved hugely significant as the Premier League gets set for a week off while the 2017 FA Cup third round takes place.

Some huge fixtures mark the resumption of league play, though. None more so than second-place Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford to take on bitter enemies Manchester United. 

Here's what the table looks like after the last of the festive fixtures:

Position	Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Goal Difference	Points
1	Chelsea	20	16	1	3	27	49
2	Liverpool	20	13	5	2	25	44
3	Tottenham Hotspur	20	12	6	2	25	42
4	Manchester City	20	13	3	4	19	42
5	Arsenal	20	12	5	3	22	41
6	Manchester United	20	11	6	3	12	39
7	Everton	20	8	6	6	5	30
8	West Bromwich Albion	20	8	5	7	4	29
9	Bournemouth	20	7	4	9	-5	25
10	Southampton	20	6	6	8	-6	24
11	Stoke City	20	6	6	8	-8	24
12	Burnley	20	7	2	11	-9	23
13	West Ham United	20	6	4	10	-12	22
14	Watford	20	6	4	10	-13	22
15	Leicester City	20	5	6	9	-7	21
16	Middlesbrough	20	4	7	9	-5	19
17	Crystal Palace	20	4	4	12	-7	16
18	Sunderland	20	4	3	13	-18	15
19	Swansea City	20	4	3	13	-22	15
20	Hull City	20	3	4	13	-27	13

Here are the fixtures for Week 21:

Date	Time (GMT/ET)	Match
Saturday, January 14	12:30 p.m./7:30 a.m.	Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Bromwich Albion
Saturday, January 14	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Burnley vs. Southampton
Saturday, January 14	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Hull City vs. Bournemouth
Saturday, January 14	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Sunderland vs. Stoke City
Saturday, January 14	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Swansea City vs. Arsenal
Saturday, January 14	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Watford vs. Middlesbrough
Saturday, January 14	3 p.m./10 a.m.	West Ham United vs. Crystal Palace
Saturday, January 14	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	Leicester City vs. Chelsea
Sunday, January 15	1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m.	Everton vs. Manchester City
Sunday, January 15	4 p.m./11 a.m.	Manchester United vs. Liverpool

Recap

Chelsea ultimately suffered for what was an ultra-defensive approach at White Hart Lane. Several onlookers, including Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, noticed how the visitors were prepared to show little attacking intent early on:

The numbers supported Johnson's critique, with Squawka detailing just how deep the Blues were sitting during the first half:

Chelsea's depth negated the attacking threat the league leaders usually pose in wide areas. In particular, the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse noted how wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso weren't getting involved in forward areas:

The Blues were relying heavily on their ability to strike on the counter, but their rare breaks against the grain lacked sufficient pace and cohesion.

The disjointed nature of Chelsea's performance was particularly galling for the club's ample array of attacking talent. Those frustrations boiled over between centre-forward Diego Costa and winger Pedro after one particular counter had gone nowhere, per BBC's Match of the Day:

For all Chelsea's stunted pragmatism, though, Spurs were hardly peppering the away goal with chances. In fact, it took until the stroke of half-time for Eriksen and Alli to link up for the first time.

The latter's header was superbly placed to leave Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stranded. It was also the first meaningful attempt of the match, according to OptaJoe:

The same source also noted how Alli scoring has been a terrific omen for Tottenham in England's top flight:

Chelsea showed a little more intent at the start of the second half. Even so, Costa and Co. still struggled to assert themselves.

To their credit, Spurs defended brilliantly. Kenyan powerhouse Victor Wanyama was like a brick wall in front of a back four led magnificently by central defender Toby Alderweireld.

There was still plenty of menace going forward, though, and Alli headed home again after meeting another Eriksen cross less than 10 minutes after the restart.

Sky Sports Statto highlighted how the England international had twice bested a Chelsea defence not used to being beaten in the air:

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would have been particularly irked to see his side breached by a replica of the first goal, something illustrated by BBC's Match of the Day:

Alli would just have been happy to continue an eye-popping run of netting twice in a game, a scoring sequence recounted by Squawka:

A naturally deflated Chelsea offered little after the second goal, despite Conte introducing Brazilian forward Willian. But the Italian left it too late to bring classy playmaker Cesc Fabregas off the bench.

The Spaniard, who can thread passes between the lines against any defence, entered the game with a little over 10 minutes remaining. Predictably, he was unable to reverse fortunes that had already eluded the Blues.

A key statistic regarding Costa not only emphasised the bluntness of Chelsea's attacking play, but it also served to endorse how Alderweireld and the Tottenham defence controlled the proceedings, per BBC 5 live Sport:

There's no doubt this is a damaging defeat for Conte's men, even if the Blues are still five points clear at the top. However, Chelsea and the rest must now start taking the challenge from Tottenham seriously.

Week 21

Spurs can underline their title credentials by avoiding a letdown at home to West Bromwich Albion in the first match of the season's 21st week on January 14. A 1-1 draw against the Baggies at White Hart Lane was one of the slips that ultimately cost Tottenham the crown last season.

Speaking of the title, Chelsea may struggle to get their own bid back on track away to holders Leicester City on the same day. Like the Blues, the Foxes love to stay compact and strike on the break.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri could deal his old club a quick second wound.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Two teams sure to have a close eye on both results are Liverpool and Manchester City. The league's second- and fourth-placed clubs are both in action on January 15.

City must win at a revived Everton, while Liverpool face the prospect of halting United's unbeaten run—no easy task at Old Trafford. Failure could force the Merseysiders' title charge to hit the skids.

Arsenal may be at the extreme fringes of the title race, but the Gunners can insert themselves back into the fray by winning away from home in the league for the first time in four matches.

However, it won't be easy against a Swansea City side more talented than the league table shows and also under the stewardship of new head coach Paul Clement.

Spurs have done their bit to open the title race back up, and now the onus is on the rest of the contenders to take advantage, starting in Week 21.