Saturday's action continued in the same vain as the mid-week games with high scoring affairs and drama aplenty across the grounds for another satisfying day of BPL action. Here's what we can take away for today:
Terry pops up late to anger Martinez
John Terry's 98th minute equaliser means Chelsea remain unbeaten since Guus Hiddink's return to the helm at Stamford Bridge, and redeemed the Chelsea veteran for a calamitous own goal that sparked the game into life early into the second half.
John Terry with a great finish! https://t.co/wzSGCwqZPD
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) January 16, 2016
In a dramatic 3-3 draw, the third result of its kind in the space of four days, it will be Everton who will be feeling aggrieved after Terry's late equaliser gave the Toffee's the Blues. Roberto Martinez labelled the late goal a 'diabolical decision' by referee Mike Jones, as it came over one minute after the allotted the injury time was played and with the former England captain in a clear offside position from Oscar's flick on.
Terry's goal!! #CFC pic.twitter.com/hbPY82BxcI
— Chelsea Photos (@ChelsPhotos) January 16, 2016
“It was a fantastic game for the fans, but the level of refereeing was diabolical. That’s really hurtful and no-one deserves that,” Martinez told Sky Sports.
It was a frantic finish to a frenetic game as Everton let a two goal lead slip before defender Ramiro Funes Mori looked to have won it with a 90th minute strike.
Money well spent
Jonjo Shelvey delivered a stellar midfield performance on his Newcastle debut to move his new club out of the relegation zone at his former clubs expense.
Steve McClaren's €16 million recruit had a helping hand in both of the Magpies goals, with his raking pass in the build up to Gini Wijnaldum's goal in particular catching the eye of the adoring Tyneside faithful.
How's that for a pass from Shelvey! Never doubted him did we?! #BPL pic.twitter.com/oCgzpGIfwT
— 888sport (@888sport) January 16, 2016
Shelvey also provided a hand in Ayoze Perez's opener, giving the penultimate pass before the Spaniard curled home from distance. All in all it was an impressive debut as he looks to have immediately settled into the Toon midfield, even though he was somewhat fortunate not to see red late on for an off the ball arm barge.
Aguero to lead the City charge
Man City looked more like the title contenders we expect to see today and its no surprise their return to form has coincided with a fit Sergio Aguero leading the line.
The Argentinian striker netted a double today and could have nabbed a hat-trick if he was a more selfish player, but he opted to tee up David Silva for their fourth after Fabian Delph opened the scoring.
25 - Sergio Aguero has now scored against 25 of the 28 different opponents that he's faced in the Premier League. Ratio.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 16, 2016
Aguero has had a stop-start season due to injury but when fit, he is by far and away the deadliest striker in the league, and Man City are a different machine when he leads the line.
The result temporarily put City top of the table on 43 points, but if they continue playing like this it won't be long before they're fixed permanently atop the league.
Spurs keep their Champions League hopes in tact
Tottenham Hotspur showed their top four credentials in the day's early kick-off, coming from behind to maul Sunderland 4-1 at White Hart Lane.
Harry Kane netted again from the penalty spot but it was Chritian Eriksen who stole the show with a double to keep pace with the teams above them.
Christian Eriksen has scored 9 Premier League goals from outside the box since 2014/15; more than any other player. pic.twitter.com/d3Dt3zUoWQ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 16, 2016
Eriksen cancelled out Patrick van Aanholt's opener 90 seconds after it had gone in before he scored Spurs' third to seal the win against a struggling Sunderland side.
Draw no good for either
Aston Villa and Leicester took a share of the spoils in a result that was far from ideal for either side.
Villa remain rooted to the bottom and can have Mark Bunn to thank after a string of excellent saves, including a Riyad Mahrez penalty, but the point will do little to appease their fans as they're still nine points from safety.
Leicester on the other hand will be frustrated that they couldn't take home all three points after Shinji Okazaki's goal gave them the initiative in the first half. The Foxes had a succession of chances to put away their hosts but their profligacy in front of goal kept Villa in the game, meaning Rudy Gestede's fortunate strike was enough to spoil the party.
Despite a less than ideal result, Leicester stay top until tomorrow at the least, when Arsenal travel to the Brittania.
33 - Leicester City will now be top of the PL for 33 days in 2015-16, the same number that Spurs have been top in total since 1992. Serious.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 16, 2016
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