Winners and Losers from Midweek Premier League Action
Following a series of entertaining midweek matches, sprinkled with some snooze-inducing football (that's you, Southampton and Crystal Palace), the Premier League edged itself ever closer to a dramatic conclusion. But who were the biggest winners and losers as Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all recorded wins?
Filled with drama and talking points, there were plenty of contentious issues as clubs worked hard to put a busy weekend behind them with some convincing displays.
But not everyone came out the other side smelling of roses, so let's jump straight in and start our analysis.
Don't forget to have your say in the comments thread too.
Winner: Jose Mourinho's Chelsea
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Fresh from their victorious exertions against Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea persisted with their winning habit in a 1-0 win against West Ham United.
Still five points clear of Man City with a game in hand, they remain in control of their own destiny.
No doubt they will have been happy to have successfully navigated past Sam Allardyce's charges at the Boleyn Ground.
The Hammers had only lost four times in 14 matches at home before the Blues paid their visit.
Allardyce's men had taken scalps from the likes of the Citizens, Manchester United and Swansea City during that period, so huge credit must go to the way the League Cup winners held their nerve.
While Eden Hazard grabbed the all-important goal, Thibaut Courtois and the Chelsea rearguard deserve enormous praise for the way they defended.
Managing to keep Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia quiet with some fine last-gasp tackles and interceptions, they recorded their third clean sheet in six league games.
In form in attack and defence, Chelsea really do look on course to go all the way.
Loser: Gylfi Sigurdsson
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It can't be easy when you lose against your former club.
But to do so when you put in such a distinguished performance is likely even harder to bear.
Despite scoring, as well as hitting the woodwork, Gylfi Sigurdsson simply couldn't do anything to stop Tottenham Hotspur running riot against Swansea City during the week, as Garry Monk's men were left badly exposed at the back on numerous occasions.
The 25-year-old Iceland international was arguably the Swans' best player on the park, as he continued to commit himself to the attack late on, searching for an equaliser.
Behind Ki Sung-yueng, it's Sigurdsson who has scored the second-highest number of league goals for the Jacks this season with five, and he's so often been at the epicentre of their approach play.
Sadly, not even he could conjure up the magic necessary to salvage a point.
Indeed, his performance seems all the more composed when you consider that team-mate Bafetimbi Gomis had fainted on the field of play during the opening period, a sight that will have served as a chilling reminder of the nightmarish Fabrice Muamba incident back in 2012.
Winner: Olivier Giroud
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It's been a topsy-turvy season for Arsenal, and Olivier Giroud has personified that best of all.
Criticised one minute then lauded the next, the France international has gone through a whirlwind of emotions as the Gunners have swayed from brilliance to calamity and back again.
Recording their fourth league win on the trot with a 2-1 victory against Queens Park Rangers, Arsene Wenger's men have well and truly recovered from their Champions League hiccup against AS Monaco. Giroud has been pivotal to that.
Scoring his third league goal in as many games, he's certainly adding the necessary bite to their attack—something that has troubled them a lot this season.
Getting into the right areas and pushing himself to get to loose balls first in an attempt to capitalise and net goals, his strike against Rangers epitomised his new gung-ho attitude. Getting involved in a goalmouth scramble, he reacted quickest of all to poke the ball home; it was a reactionary finish from a reactionary player.
Incidentally, the win saw Arsenal retain their tenuous grip on third spot as they look to guarantee they'll be dining at Europe's top table yet again next season.
Loser: Vincent Kompany
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Playing without confidence or composure, Vincent Kompany has looked a spectre of his former self in recent weeks, and midweek saw the Manchester City captain reach a new low as he was dropped for the visit of Leicester City.
The result? The team's second clean sheet in six league games.
With David Silva and James Milner grabbing the important goals, the Manchester outfit ensured they didn't slip behind Chelsea any further than they already had.
Not inextricably linked, but manager Manuel Pellegrini will have been happy to see his changes have a positive effect, as Samir Nasri, Fernandinho, Pablo Zabaleta and Edin Dzeko also made way.
After all, it's not as if the Foxes have the greatest goalscoring record, having converted just 24 times—the third worst in the league.
Nevertheless, Kompany is unlikely to feel too happy about being dropped for such a winnable game, and it will be interesting to see whether it might just deal his already waning confidence a real hammer blow.
Time will tell all.
Winner: David de Gea
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Taking a huge step toward Champions League football, Manchester United had goalkeeper David de Gea to thank for keeping Newcastle United at bay throughout their midweek clash.
Making some fine saves from Emmanuel Riviere in the opening half, the Spain international ensured the Red Devils stayed level until they were able to pounce late on.
But even after Ashley Young converted a scrappy winner in the 89th minute of the match, "Spanish Dave" kept his cool to deny Papiss Cisse a golden headed opportunity at the opposite end just seconds later.
Earning the Man of the Match award, De Gea was fully deserving of the accolade, as he looked alert, committed to the cause and, most importantly of all, was effective in his role.
Per Squawka, this was his ninth clean sheet of the season.
A great return from a custodian who's had to contend with an unfamiliar defence in front of him for much of the season, as well as cope with the pressure of increased competition from January arrival Victor Valdes.
Loser: Roberto Matinez
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March is shaping up to be equally as glum for Everton fans as February was, and Roberto Martinez could well find himself out of a job if things get much worse.
The Toffees have not managed to pick up three points in the league since their January 31 victory over Crystal Palace, which remains a source of huge frustration for the supporters.
And their 2-0 defeat to Stoke City on Wednesday doesn't help.
Having invested very little in his squad during the January transfer window, Martinez has since seen their stock fall dramatically, as they've had little by way of a reactive boost to change their approach.
Combine this with a lack of identity and shape, which has seen the manager frequently tinker with the formation and personnel, and the foundations of failure are apparent.
But it's his stubbornness that remains one of his most damning traits. Although he has tried to change things, he remains steadfastly positive, as pointed out by Greg O' Keefe of the Liverpool Echo.
"So Everton could lose 4-0 to Newcastle next up in the league, see Romelu Lukaku sent off, and watch as a hole opens up in the Main Stand roof and the Catalan would still remain reflective in the inquest. What's more he'd rely on his tried and trusted armoury of positive imagery about 'character,' 'spirit' and players 'enjoying their football.'
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Stagnant on the domestic front, they continue to look for a special spark, as they appeared uninspired against the Potters.
They'll just hope it helps to ignite a push instead of engulfing them in flames.
Winner: Jordan Henderson
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Nabbing a goal and an assist against Burnley at Anfield was Jordan Henderson, a player who looks more and more capable of filling Steven Gerrard's shoes as the weeks tick by.
Recording a 2-0 win over Sean Dyche's men, the Reds made light work of the task at hand by cutting them open with some intelligent and incisive play.
In truth, they should really have scored more.
The heartbeat of Brendan Rodgers' midfield once more, Henderson led by example with yet another cracking goal from long range in the opening period.
Then, following the restart, he turned provider by clipping in a delightfully pinpoint aerial through ball for Daniel Sturridge to head home.
ESPN's Steven Kelly also pointed out that "Hendo" wasn't afraid to get vocal with his team-mates as they began to daydream about the final whistle: "He also wasn't shy about barking out his frustration when defenders began to look complacent with the score at 2-0."
Currently the in-form side in the division, according to the official Premier League website, it's clear they will be a real handful for any side they meet between now and the end of the season, which includes Manchester United and Arsenal, both of whom they face in March.
Expect Henderson to play a key role in both duels.
