Mass COVID outbreak disrupts Premier League fixtures

A total of nine Premier League games have now been postponed in the last one week as Covid-19 outbreaks continue to emerge within teams. Burnley v Watford and Leicester against Tottenham on Wednesday and Thursday respectively were postponed.

The new matches for the weekend that are also postponed include Southampton v Brentford, Watford v Crystal Palace, West Ham v Norwich and Everton v Leicester.

Earlier, Brentford manager Thomas Frank had called for the postponement of the next round of matches for the Premier League.

“The Covid cases are going through the roof at all Premier League clubs. Everyone is dealing with it and everyone has a problem at this moment in time.To postpone this round [of Premier League games] and the Carabao Cup would give everyone a week at least to clean.” Frank Thomas said.

Meanwhile, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. Both sides had their fair share of Covid cases and injury problems.

Chelsea and Everton played out a goalless first-half, with the home side taking most of the initiative as Rafael Benitez’s side were lucky to not concede at halftime.

However, with more than an hour played, Chelsea took the lead through Mason Mount. A few minutes later, the visitors snatched an unlikely point as Branthwaite leveled by tapping in a free-kick.

Chelsea, by virtue of the results, have now taken a setback in the race for the Premier League title as Manchester City remains at the top of the table despite Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Anfield against Newcastle.

Eddie Howe’s team took an unexpected lead within the first 10 minutes of the game when Jonjo Shelvey put the visitors ahead.

However, two quickfire goals in the 21st and 23rd minutes of the game through Diogo Jota and Muhammed Salah saw Liverpool go in front before the break.

The fourth goal of the game did not come until the final 10 minutes, as Jurgen Klopp’s side earned all three points.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu