EPL 2020-21, Matchday 31 review: United tames Tottenham, City suffers shock defeat to Leeds

The English Premier League 2020-21 has entered its business-end phase, with seven more matchdays to go. Manchester City remains the favourite to lift the title while defending champion Liverpool is out of the title race and vies for a spot in the top four.

<p>Things continue to get intense in the 2020-21 English Premier League, as it has entered its business-end phase. Matchday 31 saw a few exciting matches, including a heart-break, as we review the same.</p>

Things continue to get intense in the 2020-21 English Premier League, as it has entered its business-end phase. Matchday 31 saw a few exciting matches, including a heart-break, as we review the same.

<p><strong>Liverpool fights through Aston Villa at Anfield</strong><br />After a six-game losing streak at Anfield, Liverpool finally managed to get things under control, as it tamed 11th-placed Aston Villa 2-1. However, things don't look good for The Reds as it was indeed a hard-fought win, while it needs consistency to stand a chance to be in the top-four, as it is currently placed sixth.</p>

Liverpool fights through Aston Villa at Anfield
After a six-game losing streak at Anfield, Liverpool finally managed to get things under control, as it tamed 11th-placed Aston Villa 2-1. However, things don't look good for The Reds as it was indeed a hard-fought win, while it needs consistency to stand a chance to be in the top-four, as it is currently placed sixth.

<p><strong>Chelsea rips apart Crystal Palace</strong><br />In a London derby, fifth-placed Chelsea managed to get past 13th-placed Crystal Palace as The Blues stormed past the Eagles 4-1 away from home. The win puts Chelsea in good contention for a top-four spot, as consistency would once again be the key here.</p>

Chelsea rips apart Crystal Palace
In a London derby, fifth-placed Chelsea managed to get past 13th-placed Crystal Palace as The Blues stormed past the Eagles 4-1 away from home. The win puts Chelsea in good contention for a top-four spot, as consistency would once again be the key here.

<p><strong>Leicester City pipped by West Ham United</strong><br />Well, not precisely hammered, but still Hammered, as third-placed Leicester was pipped by fourth-placed West Ham United 3-2 away from home. The loss handed the Foxes a severe setback in its bid for a top-four finish, as a loss hereon could push them down below four.</p>

Leicester City pipped by West Ham United
Well, not precisely hammered, but still Hammered, as third-placed Leicester was pipped by fourth-placed West Ham United 3-2 away from home. The loss handed the Foxes a severe setback in its bid for a top-four finish, as a loss hereon could push them down below four.

<p><strong>Arsenal slays Sheffield United</strong><br />While Sheffield is ideally the one that holds the blade, it was the other way this time. Ninth-placed Arsenal kept its slender hopes alive for a European spot by slaying the Blades away from home 3-0. The Gunners will have some strict tests hereon, as Mikel Arteta's men simply need to be at their best.</p>

Arsenal slays Sheffield United
While Sheffield is ideally the one that holds the blade, it was the other way this time. Ninth-placed Arsenal kept its slender hopes alive for a European spot by slaying the Blades away from home 3-0. The Gunners will have some strict tests hereon, as Mikel Arteta's men simply need to be at their best.

<p><strong>Everton fails to get past Brighton and Hove Albion</strong><br />Everton's highly inconsistent season continued as it was held to a goalless draw against 15th-placed Brighton. With Everton too fighting for a top-four spot, it might have to fight for top-seven if Carlo Ancelotti's men don't pick up the pace hereon.</p>

Everton fails to get past Brighton and Hove Albion
Everton's highly inconsistent season continued as it was held to a goalless draw against 15th-placed Brighton. With Everton too fighting for a top-four spot, it might have to fight for top-seven if Carlo Ancelotti's men don't pick up the pace hereon.

<p><strong>City suffers shocker against Leeds United</strong><br />City suffered yet another shocking 1-2 defeat at home to tenth-placed Leeds. Although it just delayed City's inevitable title win, it became somewhat a concern for Pep Guardiola and his men ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarters clash to Borussia Dortmund away from home that it leads 2-1.</p>

City suffers shocker against Leeds United
City suffered yet another shocking 1-2 defeat at home to tenth-placed Leeds. Although it just delayed City's inevitable title win, it became somewhat a concern for Pep Guardiola and his men ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarters clash to Borussia Dortmund away from home that it leads 2-1.

<p><strong>Manchester United storms past Tottenham Hotspur</strong><br />In the game of the matchday, it was second-placed United who produced the most beautiful display of gameplay by taming seventh-placed Tottenham 3-1 away from home. While the Red Devils is in a solid position to finish second, the Spurs will now have to fight for a top-four finish.</p>

Manchester United storms past Tottenham Hotspur
In the game of the matchday, it was second-placed United who produced the most beautiful display of gameplay by taming seventh-placed Tottenham 3-1 away from home. While the Red Devils is in a solid position to finish second, the Spurs will now have to fight for a top-four finish.